Cai Beo Floating Village
Vietnam's oldest floating village, Cai Beo offers a vibrant glimpse into traditional fishing life amidst stunning karst landscapes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Golden hour for stunning photos
Cai Beo Floating Village
Best Time
Golden hour for stunning photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Vietnam's oldest floating village, Cai Beo offers a vibrant glimpse into traditional fishing life amidst stunning karst landscapes.
"Seeing how people live on the water is very impressive and definitely worth visiting."
🎯 Take a Local Boat Tour
Opt for a 1-hour boat ride from a floating restaurant for an intimate village experience.
💰 Negotiate Boat Tour Prices
Expect to pay around 200k VND per person for a local boat tour.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Colorful Floating Homes
Cai Beo Village
Witness hundreds of vibrant houses bobbing on the water, a testament to a unique way of life.
Ancient Fishing Traditions
Cai Beo Village
See firsthand the daily routines of a community that has lived and fished on the water for millennia.
Sunset Over Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the sun setting over the tranquil waters surrounding the village.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Authentic Life
Navigating Your Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Take a Local Boat Tour
Opt for a 1-hour boat ride from a floating restaurant for an intimate village experience.
💰 Negotiate Boat Tour Prices
Expect to pay around 200k VND per person for a local boat tour.
📸 Capture the Colors
The vibrant houses make for incredible photos, especially during sunset.
💧 Be Mindful of Pollution
The water quality is a concern due to wastewater; be aware of this environmental issue.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Take a Local Boat Tour
Opt for a 1-hour boat ride from a floating restaurant for an intimate village experience.
💰 Negotiate Boat Tour Prices
Expect to pay around 200k VND per person for a local boat tour.
📸 Capture the Colors
The vibrant houses make for incredible photos, especially during sunset.
💧 Be Mindful of Pollution
The water quality is a concern due to wastewater; be aware of this environmental issue.
🏠 See Life on the Water
Witnessing how people live and work on the water is truly impressive.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find Cai Beo Floating Village incredibly picturesque with its colorful houses and unique way of life. The opportunity to see a historic fishing community is a major draw. However, concerns about water pollution due to wastewater disposal are frequently mentioned, impacting the overall perception of the environment.
"it's very nice to visit
the house are so colorful ...
but it's a pity because the water so polluted because the inhabitants have no means of disposing of their wastewater other than dumping it directly into the sea. Is it dangerous to eat the fish produced in the village?"
andy maphrao
"Hundreds of boats in an area called “fishing village” where they have several floating seafood restaurants. This is apparently the largest floating fishing village"
David EB
"We took a seat next to the water in one of the floating restaurants as far north as the path brings you on foot. soon after we arrived a lady on a small boat asked us if we wanted to join a boat tour. After lunch she took us for a 1h boat ride through the floating village. Quite a highlight!
We paid 200k each for this. We had the option to swim, but rain spoiled that (although getting wet wasn’t the issue ;) )
Organized tourist packages may include more but start from ~500k pp. the local ferry at the jetty seemed to be banned for tourists…. Or so this is enforced by a rather vocal lady there (since it would be classisms/racism?)."
bart van bueren
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Cai Beo Floating Village is located in Lan Ha Bay, near Cat Ba Island. You can reach Cat Ba Island by ferry or speedboat from Hai Phong. From Cat Ba town, you can hire a boat or join a tour that includes Cai Beo. 
While organized tours are common, you can arrange a boat tour directly from the floating restaurants in the village for a more personalized experience.
A boat tour is the most immersive way to see Cai Beo, allowing you to navigate through the houses and observe daily life.
There are some walkways on foot that lead to floating restaurants, but the primary way to explore the village itself is by boat.
Public transport directly into the village is limited. Most visitors arrive via tours from Cat Ba or by hiring local boats.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the village itself is generally free, but you will need to pay for boat tours or any services offered by the floating establishments.
A local 1-hour boat tour can cost around 200,000 VND per person. Organized packages might be more expensive, starting from approximately 500,000 VND per person.
Cai Beo is a residential village, so it's accessible throughout the day. However, late afternoon and sunset are popular for their scenic beauty.
Yes, Lan Ha Bay typically has an entrance fee, which is usually included in tour packages or paid separately upon entering the bay area.
You can book tours in advance through travel agencies or online platforms, or arrange them directly with boat operators upon arrival.
📸 📸 Photography
Late afternoon, especially during sunset, offers the most picturesque lighting for capturing the colorful houses and serene bay.
Expect to capture vibrant floating homes, fishing boats, daily life on the water, and stunning bay landscapes.
Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local rules and obtain permission before flying a drone to avoid any issues.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expanse of the village and bay, while a telephoto lens can be useful for details of daily life.
Always be respectful and ask for permission before taking close-up photos of residents.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are several floating seafood restaurants where you can enjoy fresh catches while taking in the village views.
You can find a variety of fresh seafood, often caught locally, prepared in Vietnamese styles.
While the seafood is fresh, concerns about water pollution exist. It's advisable to choose restaurants that appear clean and busy.
Prices can vary, but expect them to be reasonable for fresh seafood in a unique setting.
Small boats may offer snacks and drinks, but your best bet for a meal is one of the floating restaurants.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
📸 Photographers
Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of the village and a telephoto lens for candid shots of daily life. Be respectful when photographing residents and always ask for permission. Consider a sunset boat tour for the most dramatic lighting. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Glimpse into Ancient Life
This makes it a significant historical site, offering a unique window into a way of life that has persisted for millennia. The village is home to approximately 300 houses, where residents continue their traditional livelihoods of fishing and aquaculture. +1 The artifacts found in the area underscore the long and continuous human presence, making Cai Beo a living museum of Vietnamese maritime culture. +1Visiting Cai Beo provides an opportunity to witness a community that has adapted to living entirely on the water. The colorful houses, bustling with activity, showcase a resilient and resourceful population. While the picturesque scene is captivating, it's important to acknowledge the environmental challenges, particularly concerning wastewater disposal, which impacts the local waters.
Experiencing Cai Beo: Tours and Independent Exploration
However, for a more intimate and potentially cost-effective experience, travelers can opt for independent boat tours directly from the floating restaurants within the village. When arranging a boat tour, whether organized or independent, it's wise to negotiate the price beforehand. A typical 1-hour tour might cost around 200,000 VND per person.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit