Vung Vieng fishing village

Far 24km from the mainland, Vung Vieng fishing village is located in the center of Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast of Halong Bay tours. This is a peaceful place with the beautiful scenery and features with the traditional culture of fishermen living around the Bay all year round. Coming to Vung Vieng fishing village, you will have a chance to learn how to use fishing net or fishing rod from the local fisherman at this area.

Vung Vieng has attracted lots of travelers for years by its beauties like pretty fishing boats, fish’s cages being in front of floating houses of local people, especially friendly and helpful fishermen, children with happiness on their faces on the way to school,… Everything makes this village become an attractive destination in Halong Bay Heritage.

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There are only about 60 floating houses meaning 60 families in this village. You will definitely surprise when seeing these small village with only tens of pretty floating houses in which every activities of the day life or important event of the village happen while bobbing in the middle of the bay. The amazing pictures that your eyes can catch here are simple small floating houses, films on old televisions, a woman cooking the dinner while children playing traditional games in front of the houses and the husband preparing for his fishing trip at night,…These pictures will bring you special memories about people here and the sense of peace in your holiday in Halong Bay.

Almost people here live on fishing and aquaculture but there are several people do small business on their boats by selling miscellaneous goods for other ones and tourists. That’s one of the features in Halong Bay maybe you like because you can by something like snack, water,… from them while cruising on the bay but it’s quite expensive. Recently, when tourism has growth, Vung Vieng became famous place that is included in itineraries of travel companies. In order to explore this place, tourists can hire either kayak to discover bu yourself or small boats rowing by local people. These services are provided by cruise company and local people which brings more revenue for their families.

Halong Bay Surprising Cave

Halong Bay Vietnam is one of New 7 wonders of the world. There are many famous attractions in Halong Bay, limestone mountain, islands, islets, caves, beaches, National park. Enjoy the unique beautiful view of Halong Bay.

Surprising Cave located on Bo Hon Island, one of the most beautiful and largest cave in Ha Long Bay Vietnam, French explored this cave in 1903 and they named this “grotte des surprises”. Tourist visit this cave will be surprised because of its beauty. You will climb up around 50 steps and get into the cave. The cave included 3 parts, it link together by narrow tunnels. There are thousands of stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave. It is 30-meter high of roof and cover 10,000 m2, located 25 m above the sea level. If you join the tour 2 days or 3 days in Halong Bay, it will be included in the tour itinerary or you join the tour 1 day, It take 6 hour of boat trip from Halong pier to get there. Halong bay tours

Halong Bay Surprising Cave in the first part

Halong Bay Surprising Cave

In 1962 Ghermann Titov from former Soviet Union astronautic hero visited Halong Bay with President Ho Chi Minh. Because of well relationship between Vietnam and Soviet Union, President Ho Chi Minh decided to name this island is TiTop island. Titop island become one of famous attraction in Halong Bay for most of tourists when they visit Halong Bay. Tourist can relax, swimming on the beach, climb up to the peak of island to enjoy all view of Halong Bay or join some sport activities in here:  kayaking, speed water motor or parachute…

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Colorful of Surprising Cave in Halong Bay Vietnam

There are many beautiful places for tourist to do kayak in Halong Bay, Dark and Light Cave is one of perfect choice for traveler when they visit Halong Bay, located nearby Cat Ba National Park, and surounded by beautiful limestone mountain. Adventure kayaking to explore Dark and Light cave usually will be arranged on the second day of Halong bay 3 days tour

Halong Surprising Cave, the most beautiful cave in Halong

Cat Ba island (women’s Island) is one of largest island, located in Cat Ba National Park, It is not only famous for tourism but also the most important natural ecosystem of the bay. It’s the homeland of 1,561 species of flora and 279 fauna species. 160 bird species, 66 reptiles and amphibians species, 274 species of insects, 900 fish, 178 coral, 7 species of snakes, 4 species of turtles and 21 species of seaweed. Some of species are going to disappear

It depend on your Halong bay tour itinerary, Cat ba island will be add on tour program on second day of Halong bay 3 days tour. You can join some activities in Cat Ba Island: biking, climbing up to the peak of mountain, trekking Cat Ba National Park, swimming or relax on the beach and overnight at the hotel in Cat Ba town.

Mekong Delta Travel Tips

1. Time does matter

Life in Mekong Delta is woven by water and season. It is most vibrant in spring (flower season or Tet Holiday: late January - February) and early summer (fruit season: April - May). The flood season (September - November), however, sweeps everything away and brings a new face to the delta with its rich brown alluvial water. This is also the income season for local people with abundant fish source and water vegetables. The waterfront life is most fascinating in this season.

2. You must do this!

The must see in Mekong Delta is of course its floating market. Again timing is very important if you do not want to be disheartened. The most incredible moments on the water of Mekong Delta are sunrise and sunset. The Mekong Delta floating markets reveal their best in very early morning. “To get the best view of the places, there is no other way but getting up EARLY and start the trip at 5.30 (usually recommended) or 5am (I do suggest this since you will be able to see the sparkle stars above the sky quickly transferring to pinkish sunrise and shining yellowish daylight afterwards.”
The must eat in Mekong Delta is deep fried elephant-ear fish (“Ca tai tuong chien xu”) rolled with herbs in rice sheet and served with dipping sauce.

Mekong Delta Travel Tips

The must do in Mekong Delta is getting in a small rowing sampan to explore its complicated canal system, cycling through tranquil villages and lush rice fields, and visiting a local market in the mainland.

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3. A good tour guide makes your trip worthwhile

A self-guided tour sounds tempting, but not everyone is aimed with strong discovery spirit. A proficient guide will bring you a chance to study about the delta and local life. Also, as the distance from one floating market to another, as well as to other destinations in Mekong Delta is pretty far, there would be nothing boring than sitting on board for a long time. A great guide will fill the gap with fun: chatting with you and teaching you to weave jewelry and flowers from coconut leaves.

4. Set your expectations right!

Many customers were disappointed with their trip in Mekong Delta: the floating market is not colorful, the crowded boat trip, dull scenery, etc. You must know that “fruits and vegetables sold here are seasonable. Therefore, there are times you can find tens of tropical kinds (From Jan to April, usually) which can give your cameras amazing shots, so is time of lacking types due to seasons and crops. Cai Rang and Phung Hiep are big, noisy produce wholesale markets. Phong Dien, Cai Be, Nga Nam, Ca Mau or Tra On floating markets are small and quieter. Neither are romantic, beautiful little markets that you might see on tourist brochures, unless you come in right moments. Also as the floating markets in Mekong Delta are just local way of life and not a planned tourist site as in Thailand, you go to them for authenticity.

5. Be clear with what you get, bargaining hard yet you pay for the quality

You must enquire for what is included and destinations of the tour. Mekong Delta is very big comprising 12 provinces and 1 central town. Can Tho, My Tho and Chau Doc are touristy yet vibrant (in high season). Ben Tre, Long Xuyen and Dong Thap are less visited and more typical of Mekong Delta.

It is up to you whether to book a Mekong Delta tour with big agencies or a small local tour seller or independent operator for a private tour. Just remember "Pay nuts, get monkey". There are big travel agencies offering you really cheap tours in big - noisy - crowded boats comparing to private, king/queen-feel, warm service, friendly guides and impressive keepsakes on small boats with a bit high but reasonable price. In short, you pay for quality. So, don't get upset hearing someone else having a lower-price trip than you. Also, during the trip, buying stuff in markets, coffee shops or in restaurants, do not forget to ask the price first for no "surprise" later.
With small tour sellers, you will sometimes felt obligated to pay lunch for the guide and boat/ car drivers. Some even ask you to tell other tourists about your Mekong Delta tour with them. Do not agree to talk to any other customers about your experience, you can offer to write a review and that's probably best.