The idyllic beauty of Cai Beo ancient fishing village

Nestled peacefully in Lan Ha Bay, part of Cat Hai island district in Hai Phong city, Cai Beo's ancient fishing village is one of the oldest floating villages in Vietnam. With a history spanning over 200 years, this village offers visitors unique experiences of coastal fishermen's lives and preserves many valuable traditional cultural values.

Geographical Location and Natural Features

Cai Beo fishing village is situated in the southern part of Cat Ba island, about 2km east of Cat Ba town. Surrounded by majestic limestone mountains and clear blue bay waters, this village possesses a pristine, serene beauty characteristic of Northern Vietnam's island regions.

History of Formation and Development

According to local legend, the Cai Beo fishing village was formed in the early 19th century when a group of fishermen from the mainland migrated to Cat Ba island to escape hardship and establish their livelihoods. Initially, they lived on small boats, gradually building floating houses on the water's surface, forming a strong, united community.

Life of Cai Beo Fishermen

Main Occupations

The people of Cai Beo primarily make their living through fishing and aquaculture. They typically set out to sea early in the morning and return in the evening with nets full of fresh fish and shrimp. Additionally, many households have developed cage fish farming, oyster cultivation, and other high-value aquaculture practices.

Housing and Transportation

The homes of Cai Beo residents are unique floating houses made of wood and bamboo and closely packed on the water's surface. Each house usually has an area of 15 to 20 square meters, designed but with all the amenities necessary for the daily life of a fishing family.

The primary means of transportation for villagers are boats and sampans. Each family typically owns at least one boat for fishing and daily travel.

Culture and Customs

The people of Cai Beo still maintain many traditional customs. Annually, they organize various festivals, such as the Whale Worshipping Festival (praying for a year of favorable weather and bountiful catches) and the Boat Racing Festival (demonstrating the unity and strength of the fishing community).

Distinctive Cuisine of Cai Beo Fishing Village

Visitors to the Cai Beo fishing village will have the opportunity to savor many fresh seafood dishes prepared in the distinctive style of the Cat Ba Sea region:

1. Steamed grouper with soy sauce: Fresh grouper steamed with soy sauce, preserving the fish's natural flavor.

2. Grilled lobster with garlic butter: Fresh live lobster grilled with garlic butter, creating an irresistibly delicious flavor.

3. Crab fried with tamarind: Fresh sea crab fried with sour tamarind creates an appealing sweet and tart flavor.

4. Grilled scallops with scallion oil: Fresh scallops grilled with scallion oil are fragrant and rich.

5. Cobia fish sour soup: A characteristic sour soup made from fresh cobia fish, refreshingly tart and sweet.

Tourism Activities in Cai Beo Fishing Village

In recent years, Cai Beo fishing village has become an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists. The main tourism activities here include:

1. Village tours: Visitors can take boat trips to explore the daily life of local people and learn about the construction and maintenance of floating houses.

2. Fishing experiences: Tourists can join fishing tours with local fishermen and learn about traditional fishing techniques.

3. Enjoying local cuisine: Many floating restaurants in the fishing village serve fresh seafood dishes prepared in the distinctive style of the Cat Ba sea region.

4. Participating in traditional festivals: Visitors can participate in festivals such as the Whale Worshipping Festival and the Boat Racing Festival to gain a deeper understanding of local culture.

5. Kayaking: Tourists can rent kayaks to explore the waters around the fishing village, admiring the beautiful scenery of Lan Ha Bay.

Cai Beo, an ancient fishing village, is a unique destination, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the life of coastal fishermen, enjoy fresh seafood cuisine, and explore the pristine beauty of Lan Ha Bay. With its long history and distinctive cultural values, this fishing village is an attractive tourist spot and a precious heritage that needs to be preserved and promoted. Through sustainable tourism development and traditional cultural preservation, Cai Beo fishing village promises to continue being an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists in the coming years.