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Cai Beo fishing village : The oldest floating village on Lan Ha bay, Cat Ba

Cai Beo fishing village Lan Ha bay, Vietnam

Cai Beo fishing village is also called Vu O fishing village, known as the oldest fishing village in Vietnam, dated back 7000 years old. It has become a famous tourist spot and a must-see during your trip to Lan Ha bay It is also one of the rare authentic old fishing villages in the entire Vietnam and locals still live there. 

Over the past few years, I have taken lots of day trips from Hanoi, but most of them are short so I decided to take longer day trips to Cat Ba and Cai Beo fishing village is in my bucket list since I want to see local living in the floating village and amazing sceneries of towering limestone islands in Lan Ha bay

Interesting quick facts about Cai Beo fishing village

  • Cai Beo floating village is home to 400 families that earn their living on fishing, fish farming
  • 400 families are living in this floating village
  • There is electricity from the mainland that supplies for the village.
  • Just 5 minutes boat trip from Beo pier
  • The average height of the water level is 4 meters ( 13 feet)
  • Most of the day cruises and overnight cruises go pass this village without stopping.

Cai Beo Floating Village history and archaeological values

Cai Beo is the major archaeological site in the Cat Ba area, dating back from 4000 to 7000, it is considered as the biggest ancient fishing village in Vietnam

Cai Beo means “huge coastal bay”, which ancient Viet people chose as a long-lasting settlement. The archaeologists have found 2 kitchens, 137 stone artifacts, 1424 ceramic flakes, and 568 animal bones. 

The ancient Vietnamese people earned their living by fishing, and catching clams which was maintained until 4500 years old. 

In 1938, Madeleine Colanim, a French archaeologist found the village during her archaeological research trip in Halong Bay. The site situated in the middle of the rice field, runs along the coastline. 

During the Vietnam War, Cai Beo was one of the sites that was bombed by US aircraft. 

In 1972, Vietnamese archaeologists found stone axes, ceramic flakes, and fishing nets. 

Frequently asked questions for Cai Beo floating village, Cat Ba

Where is Cai Beo floating village?

The village is about 1.5 kilometers on the Southeast side of the Cat Ba town, 5 minutes on the boat from Beo pier. 

How to get to Cai Beo from Hanoi

Taking a sharing bus with Cat Ba express, Good Morning bus or Daichi bus to get to Cat Ba (3.5 to 4 hours) including bus ride, ferry crossing, bus ride. 

There is a bus that leaves at 7.30am from the Old Quarter of Hanoi and reach the town of Cat Ba at 11 to 11.30am. Ask the bus driver to drop you off at Beo pier. 

Read more : How to get to Cat Ba island from Hanoi 

How to get to Cai Beo from Beo pier

Hire a motorboat which can take 4 to 6 passengers to get around the village which is easier. You can also combine the boat trip with a visit to Monkey Island.

What are the travel expenses?

4 USD per person for the entrance fees of Lan Ha Bay

35 USD to 40 USD for the boat trip including a visit to Cai Beo fishing village and Monkey Island. 

Things to do in Cai Beo fishing village, Lan Ha Bay

Taking a leisurely motorboat for sightseeing and visiting fish farms and local families

Lan Ha bay 1 day tour from Hanoi

Lan Ha bay day cruise from Hanoi

The reason I recommend taking a motorboat is because it is smaller so we can get to every corner of the village and we can stop wherever you want. 

You can see fish farms (in cage), fishing boats, floating restaurants (with lightbulbs for catching squids), floating houses etc. Please bear in mind that, when making a stop at a floating house, don’t forget to give the host family 100k as a gift for them you will interact with them to learn about their day-to-day activities. 

Kayaking is not allowed is this area. 

Taking a fishing trip with locals from the village.

This activity only be done with a guided tour who will arrange boat trips with local fishermen who will escort you fishing with rods or nets. It is fun for families with kids, I have to say. During the trip, you should wear a lifevest for your safety. 

Hanoi Eco Tour offers a Cat Ba fishing day trip, contact us for more information or Whatsapp me at +84974313104

Having seafood dinner at a local floating restaurant 

It’s a nice experience I have to say. Enjoying the sunset and having dinner at a floating restaurant is an unique experience. 

Tours around Cai Beo Floating village

If you want an organized tour to explore Cai Beo floating village and do things that you can’t do on your own. Book a Cai Beo floating village tour 

The price is about 45 to 55 USD per person depending on your request

Private boat, tour guide, a visit to a local family on the water and see their fish farm, enjoy the sunset, and maybe an extra visit to Monkey Island. 

The tour starts around 4.30 pm and ends at 6.30 pm 

If you would like to book a Cai Beo floating village tour, please contact us via Whatsapp at +84974313104

Best time to visit Cai Beo floating village. 

Start at the pier from 9.30am or 1.30 pm to avoid the crowd from other boat tours. 

Cai Beo floating village map

 

Over to you

If you want to experience Cai Beo floating village in an authentic way to meet, and interact with local families and see fishing boats returning the boat trips with lots of fish that others don’t offer, book Lan Ha Bay half-boat tour with us 

 

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