With over 3,260 km of coastline stretching from north to south, Vietnam is a country endowed with numerous invaluable natural treasures offered by nature, allowing travelers to choose destinations for their beach vacation in Vietnam such as fishing village, beach, bay, etc.
Visiting the best beaches in Vietnam and engaging in underwater activities such as swimming, sunbathing, diving in Vietnam, etc., discovering the beautiful fishing villages here is also an activity not to be missed. Explore the lives of local residents as they are deeply connected to the sea, creating unique characteristics for Vietnam’s fishing villages that cannot be found elsewhere.
Discover the top 10 local fishing villages in Vietnam
1. Cua Van Fishing Village – Halong Bay
One of Vietnam’s most beautiful fishing villages featured in many global lists, Cua Van Fishing Village ranks 9th and is the only Asian representative in the top 10 most beautiful coastal sites in the world, according to Travel & Leisure magazine. Additionally, this village is also listed among the 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world according to the ranking by the travel site Journeyetc.com.
Located in Halong Bay – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, this floating village is surrounded by green limestone rocks. Cua Van is home to about 25 families living off fishing and aquaculture. Colorful bridges and small boats connect the houses.
By visiting Cua Van Fishing Village, tourists can get lost in its romantic and peaceful beauty. From scenes of children paddling to school in the morning to local boats heading out for squid fishing at night, visitors can experience fishing with the locals and taste fresh seafood right after fishing.
2. Vung Vieng Fishing Village – Halong Bay
In Halong Bay lies a peaceful fishing village called Vung Vieng. Part of Bai Tu Long Bay, this floating village is home and livelihood to 30 families and over 300 fishermen across several generations.
Compared to other fishing villages in the bay, Vung Vieng Village attracts fewer tourists, thus offering an extremely open and peaceful space. Lost amidst the stunning landscapes, the picturesque image of the fishing village is so beautiful that it even soothes visitors passing through, leaving them nostalgic.
For an ideal experience of discovering this fishing village, it is advisable to spend the night aboard a Halong Bay cruise, then paddle by kayak or boat to Vung Vieng Village.
3. Cua Viet Fishing Village – Quang Tri
When traveling to Central Vietnam and visiting Quang Tri province, travelers should make a detour to the Cua Viet fishing village, located in Gio Linh district, about 15 km from the center of the small town of Dong Ha.
Cua Viet is renowned for being a peaceful fishing village and also the preserved treasure of this province. Exploring this village, you can also admire the beauty of the Ben Hai River flowing into the sea, a breathtaking sight.
As you discover the authentic life of fishermen, locals with sun-tanned skin will always welcome international tourists with warm and friendly smiles, demonstrating the warm hospitality of the Vietnamese.
Visitors could visit the fish market early in the morning, around 4-5 am, to observe the hustle and bustle of this local market as boats unload loaded with shrimp, crabs, and fish. Cua Viet is also a majestic testament to Vietnamese history during the struggle period, with many historical traces to discover.
4. Thanh Nam Fishing Village – Hoi An
Thanh Nam fishing village is located near the Cua Dai Sea, highly appreciated and visited by many tourists when they come to Hoi An – old town in central Vietnam. To visit this small village, tourists can experience cycling from the center of Hoi An.
The village is situated along the road leading to the bay of islands, where there are pristine white sandy beaches, clear and green waters, giving tourists a sense of comfort and happiness.
Thanh Nam village is beautiful in a peaceful way with extremely welcoming locals, offering tourists an authentic experience of Vietnamese fishermen’s life. The fish farms and street food here are must-visit stops to taste the culinary specialties and delicious seafood, including the famous Quang noodles.
5. Bich Dam Fishing Village – Nha Trang
Located on Hon Tre, the furthest island from Nha Trang, Bich Dam is one of the few fishing villages preserving its original wild character. This place is famous for its crystal-clear lake, which is also the origin of its name, Bich Dam.
The fishing village is home to about 200 households, with fishing and aquaculture remaining their main activities. In particular, to admire the fishing village from above, visitors only need to climb Gieng Mon mountain.
From the top of the mountain, you can contemplate a fishing village floating on the brilliantly blue sea in front of you, with the majestic backdrop of wooded mountains, while below are shrimp ponds at sea, small bamboo boats, creating a perfect harmony between nature and man… All of this resembles a natural work of art of breathtaking beauty.
6. Ham Ninh Fishing Village – Phu Quoc Island
During your honeymoon in Vietnam, Ham Ninh fishing village on Phu Quoc Island will be a destination not to be missed. Nestled at the foot of Ham Ninh mountain, its modest houses, infused with the silver of the sea waves and coconut trees swaying in the wind, create a romantic and surprising fishing village scene.
Ham Ninh is not only a place to taste Phu Quoc’s culinary specialties, with its delicious fresh seafood, but it is also famous for its traditional craftsmanship preserved through the centuries, attracting many visitors to come and explore.
7. Rach Vem Fishing Village – Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc Island is famous for its stunning beaches that captivate visitors’ hearts, as well as for its welcoming locals. Rach Vem fishing village is unique in that it is built on floating structures, stretching over a distance of 200 to 500 meters. These structures are interconnected by suspended bridges, with wooden planks as flooring and wooden fences surrounding the houses.
In addition to exploring the floating houses and admiring the sunsets, you can also immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of the sea, which is one of the top activities to do in Phu Quoc. This place is renowned for being like a primitive painting of the kingdom of thousands of red starfish. Each season, red starfish flock to Rach Vem, hiding beneath the clear waters.
8. Mui Ne Fishing Village – Phan Thiet
Located about 23 km from the city center of Phan Thiet, Mui Ne fishing village is also a famous tourist destination in southern Vietnam. This small fishing village is nestled amidst tall coconut groves, steeped in the lives of coastal fishermen in the region.
Descending towards the sea from the road, you’ll find stairs leading to the fish market. This is where fishing crews bring their catch after a night at sea. Fish, shrimp, and seafood are unloaded from rowing boats onto the shore. Sellers and buyers flock daily from 5:30 am to 10:00 am.
If you venture further into the fishing village, into the area where the fishermen live, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the craft of fish drying, squid, and the artisanal production of fermented fish sauce. What is particular here is that fishing is exclusively reserved for men, while women handle the work of drying seafood.
9. Cai Beo Fishing Village – Cat Ba
When visiting the Cat Ba island, you cannot miss a visit to the Cai Beo fishing village, one of Vietnam’s national historic sites. This fishing village also houses a wide variety of boats of all sizes, ready to take you on a journey to discover the life of fishermen.
As one of the oldest fishing villages in the country, Cai Beo exudes authentic charm amidst a magnificent marine landscape. The smells of the sea combined with the tranquil beauty of the mountains create a captivating landscape painting for all tourists. First discovered by the French archaeologist Mr. Colani in 1938, this place has affirmed its position as the cradle of ancient maritime culture in Vietnam.
Visitors can listen to fascinating stories from the ancient fishermen and immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of this historic fishing village, making Cai Beo an unforgettable stop for those discovering Vietnam.
10. Phuoc Hai Fishing Village – Vung Tau
Phuoc Hai is an old fishing village to visit during your trip to southern Vietnam. Located at the foot of Minh Dam Mountain, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, this village also boasts a beautiful, sparkling beach, just about 16 km from the center of Vung Tau.
Despite its distance from the city center, Phuoc Hai still retains some wild aspects alongside the tourist developments of Vung Tau city. The locals here make a living by fishing and processing fish into fermented fish sauce.
Tourists can experience and live the daily life of fishermen at sea, such as fishing, rowing in coracle boats, and setting up nets.
Here is the list of the 10 most famous fishing villages in Vietnam. Each fishing village has its own beauty and history waiting to be discovered. If you are looking to Vietnam tours, feel free to contact us to help you plan your dream itinerary to visit this beautiful Southeast Asian country.