Cong Lao Vong Fishing Village: A Bai Tu Long Bay Travel Guide
The boat slows as it turns into a sheltered inlet. Limestone walls rise on both sides, the water goes flat, and the engine fades to a hum. Ahead, floating houses sit side by side, fish cages form neat squares on the surface, and small boats are tied up at the edge. This is Cong Lao Vong – a fishing village few visitors have heard of, even those who know Ha Long Bay well.
Cong Lao Vong fishing village sits in a sheltered cove in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh province, northeast of Ha Long Bay. Just over ten families live here on floating houses. They make their living from fishing, net casting and cage fish farming. There is no souvenir street and no visitor centre – just the sea, the karsts and the daily rhythm of a working fishing community.
This guide covers the village’s story, what you can experience, how to pair it with the rest of Bai Tu Long Bay, and what to know before you go.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh – in a sheltered cove around Cong Lao Vong island |
| Size | Just over ten households living on floating houses |
| Livelihood | Fishing, net casting, cage fish farming |
| Best for | Travellers who like small, quiet places and real local life |
| How to visit | On the Oris Cruises 3-day/2-night voyage from Ao Tien Port, Van Don |
Why visit Cong Lao Vong?
See a working village, not a show. People here fish and farm for a living. The floating houses, fish cages and small boats you see are the ones families use every day.
Cruise a quieter bay. Bai Tu Long Bay has fewer boats than central Ha Long Bay. The provincial newspaper describes it as a calm cruising route with limestone karsts, quiet beaches and traditional fishing villages (Quang Ninh Online, May 2025).
Hear a very recent story. Before 2014, only one family lived here. Today it is a close-knit community of more than ten households, built by fishers looking for a new place to settle.
Travel in a way that helps. Cong Lao Vong has real potential for community-based tourism. Respectful visitors give local families one more reason to stay on the water, keep their trade and keep the bay clean.
The village story: from one floating house to a community
Fishers in this part of Vietnam have long lived from fishing, net casting and aquaculture. They spread out across the many islands of the bay. Some families built floating houses right on the water, so they could live next to their boats and look after their fish cages.
A floating house is only safe where the water is sheltered. Over time, fishers chose coves protected by limestone, away from strong waves and storms, as places to anchor and build. The cove around Cong Lao Vong island is one of the few spots in this area with those conditions.
For years, though, almost no one lived here. Before 2014, there was just one household. That changed after a period of upheaval in the fishing trade. From 2019, some fishers who had to change their livelihoods in Lan Ha Bay moved here. They anchored their houses, set their cages and slowly became neighbours.
Today, more than ten households call Cong Lao Vong home, most of them fishing and raising fish in cages. It is a young, small village – but a close one, still living the way island fishing communities in Vietnam always have.
What to experience in Cong Lao Vong
Don’t expect a packed schedule. The appeal here is small and slow.
See the village from the water. As your boat or a small craft enters the cove, you understand why fishers chose it: karsts surround the water like a windbreak, the surface is calm, and the floating houses sit tucked inside.
Learn about cage fish farming. Fish cages sit right next to the houses and are the village’s main livelihood. Ask your guide how families pick an anchoring spot and care for their fish each day.
Take everyday photos. Floating houses under limestone cliffs, small boats tied at the edge, fish cages in neat rows. Early morning and late afternoon light is usually softer. Always ask before photographing people or their homes.
Hear a story of change. Some families here once worked in Lan Ha Bay before moving to find a new home. Their story is part of the Quang Ninh coast today.
Right now, the Oris Cruises 3-day/2-night voyage gives almost its whole second day to the village: you cross by small boat, join fishers at work and have lunch on a floating house. Details below.
A day with the fishers: 3 days 2 nights on Oris Cruises
The fullest way to experience Cong Lao Vong today is an overnight voyage with Oris Cruises. On its 3-day/2-night itinerary, the whole second day is spent with the fishing community – not a quick photo stop, but a morning at work and a lunch with local families.
Oris Cruises has 23 cabins, all with private balconies. It sails from Ao Tien Port in Van Don through the quieter Ha Long–Bai Tu Long area. According to the operator, the ship is 60 m long and was built in 2025–2026.
Day 2 – A day with local fishermen (indicative times)
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 07:00–08:00 | Breakfast on board |
| 08:30 | Speedboat or day boat to the fishing community |
| 09:00–10:30 | Join fishers for a seasonal activity: April–September may mean checking stone-crab traps; October–March may mean net fishing or traditional aquaculture, depending on conditions |
| 10:30 | Visit a floating home and see how fresh seafood is prepared |
| 11:30–13:00 | Lunch with local hosts on the floating house, with part of the morning catch when available |
| 13:00–14:00 | Rest and take in life in the floating community |
| 14:00–15:30 | Explore more of the village area; swimming may be possible if conditions allow |
| 15:30–16:00 | Back to Oris Cruises |
| 19:00 | Dinner on board, then free time or night squid fishing |
The other two days
- Day 1: check in at Ao Tien Port 11:30–12:00, board and have lunch, kayak around Tay Hoi Island, sunset gathering with a spring-roll cooking demonstration, dinner and optional squid fishing.
- Day 3: morning coffee on the sundeck, Long Van Cave, farewell buffet lunch on the way back, disembark at Ao Tien Port around 11:00–11:30.
Video: the new Bai Tu Long Bay cruise route from Ao Tien Port, Van Don – where Oris Cruises welcomes guests on board.
The 2-day/1-night Oris trip does not include the village day – if Cong Lao Vong is why you’re going, choose 3 days 2 nights. Prices depend on your date and cabin type; a Hanoi transfer can be added at extra cost. See the Oris Cruises page or ask us on WhatsApp: +84 789 455 888.
Activities and timings may change with weather, tides and local conditions.
Pairing Cong Lao Vong with Bai Tu Long Bay
Cong Lao Vong works best as one stop on a wider Bai Tu Long Bay trip, between caves, kayaking and beaches. These are the main highlights on this route, as described by Quang Ninh Online:
| Place | What you do there |
|---|---|
| Vung Vieng fishing village | Floating village, traditional pearl farming, bamboo boat ride on calm water |
| Thien Canh Son Cave | Stalactites inside, wide views over the bay from the entrance |
| Cong Do, Cap La, Tra San | Kayaking through lagoons; some cruises offer swimming or snorkelling |
| Bai Tu Long National Park | Forest, rich wildlife, trekking, birdwatching |
| Hon Co Island, Ban Chan Beach | Swimming, sunbathing, slow time on the sand |
Which combination is right for you?
- Village life: Cong Lao Vong + Vung Vieng – two fishing villages, two stories: a young fish-farming community and a floating village known for pearl farming.
- Active day: Cong Lao Vong + kayaking at Cong Do or Tra San + a swim at Ban Chan.
- First time in Bai Tu Long: Cong Lao Vong + Thien Canh Son Cave + kayaking around Hon Co.
Day cruise or overnight?
- Day cruise: good if you are short on time. For example, the La Muse day cruise on the Bai Tu Long route visits Thien Canh Son Cave and includes kayaking around Hon Co.
- Overnight: you get the late afternoon and early morning on the bay – when the water is calmest and the village starts its day. Depending on the boat, evenings may include dinner, a Vietnamese cooking class or stargazing on deck. To spend a full day in Cong Lao Vong, choose the Oris Cruises 3-day/2-night voyage.
Not every cruise visits all of these places. Compare options on our Bai Tu Long Bay cruises and day cruises pages, or ask us on WhatsApp for your date.
Sailing times and activities depend on the operator and weather.
Practical guide before you go
Getting there
- From Hanoi: about 2.5–3 hours by road each way to Ha Long. On a day trip, your full day can be 12 hours or more.
- Boarding: the village can only be reached by water, on a Bai Tu Long Bay cruise. The boarding port depends on the cruise (Ha Long International Cruise Port in Bai Chay, Tuan Chau Marina or another pier). We confirm the exact port when we confirm your booking. Oris Cruises sails from Ao Tien Port, Van Don, with check-in at 11:30–12:00; bring your original passport. See our guide to Ha Long Bay cruise ports.
- Transfers: we can add a car from Hanoi or Ninh Binh to your cruise.
When to go
- Spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable for time on the water.
- Summer is hot and good for swimming, but it is also storm season.
- Winter is cool, and the bay can be misty.
- In bad weather, the port authority may stop boats from sailing. Date changes or refunds follow your booking conditions.
What to bring
- Shoes with good grip – floating houses and boats can be slippery.
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- A dry bag for your phone and camera.
- A light jacket in winter or for an overnight cruise.
Village etiquette
- Ask before photographing people or floating houses – these are family homes.
- Take your rubbish back to the boat.
- Move gently on floating platforms and don’t touch fish cages or feed the fish without asking.
- Always wear a life jacket on small boats and kayaks.
Plan your trip with a local team
Vivu Halong is a Ha Long Bay cruise booking and tour team run by ONEVIVU Travel & Service Co., Ltd. in Hanoi. It helps travellers compare and book day cruises, overnight cruises, shore excursions and transfers across Ha Long, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long Bays. We don’t run the boats – we help you pick the right one.
Want to include Cong Lao Vong? Tell us your date, group size (with children’s ages), where you’re staying and what matters most – village life, caves, kayaking or beaches. We’ll check which cruises can stop at the village on your date, tell you honestly what each option is like, and confirm the latest price.
FAQ
Where is Cong Lao Vong fishing village?
In a sheltered cove around Cong Lao Vong island in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh province. You can only reach it by boat.
How many people live there?
Just over ten households. Before 2014 there was only one; the current community formed from 2019.
What can I do there?
See the floating village among the karsts, learn about cage fish farming, take photos of everyday life and hear the village’s story. On the Oris Cruises 3-day/2-night voyage, you also join fishers for a seasonal activity and have lunch on a floating house.
How is it different from Vung Vieng fishing village?
Vung Vieng is the better-known floating village on the Bai Tu Long route, linked to pearl farming and bamboo boat rides. Cong Lao Vong is smaller and newer, focused on cage fish farming, with few visitor services.
Day cruise or overnight?
A day cruise works if you are short on time. An overnight cruise adds sunset and early morning on the bay, and more time to combine several stops.
Which cruises stop at Cong Lao Vong?
The Oris Cruises 3-day/2-night voyage from Ao Tien Port spends its second day with the fishing community. The 2-day/1-night Oris trip does not visit the village. Message us your date and we’ll check availability.
Vivu Halong – Your local Ha Long Bay cruise team
💬 WhatsApp: +84 789 455 888
🌐 vivuhalong.com/en
✉️ [email protected]
Tell us your date, group size and where you’re staying — we’ll suggest the right cruise and confirm the latest price.
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