Located in the heart of Cat Ba National Park in Lan Ha Bay – Halong Bay, Viet Hai Village is a lovely place to escape from the crowds in Northern Vietnam.
This small, hidden idyllic village offers visitors the chance to experience traditional Vietnamese rural life while being surrounded by breath taking natural scenery.
How To Get To Viet Hai Village
The easiest way to reach Viet Hai Village directly is to do an overnight cruise in Lan Ha Bay – Halong Bay, as some cruises include a visit to Viet Hai Village on their itinerary.
We recently came back from the 2 day/1 night overnight Lan Ha Bay cruise with Paradise Vietnam who make a stop at Viet Hai Village.
We loved how everything was organised for us and the price of the excursion was already included in our cruise.
Alternatively, if you plan to visit independently, you can get the boat from Ben Beo Harbour on Cat Ba Island.
From the pier, you can either get on the electric buggy or ride one of the bikes the 6 kilometres to Viet Hai Village.
It’s a lovely journey, passing through some really stunning and picturesque landscapes, and there are no cars so it is really peaceful.
Visiting Viet Hai Village:
Authentic Rural Vietnamese Experience
Viet Hai Village is home to around 70 families who work predominantly as farmers and fishermen, and a visit here offers a really authentic rural experience.
It’s an old Vietnamese village that has maintained the traditional Vietnamese lifestyle and authentic charm due to its remote location and limited tourist traffic, and you can even see some houses still on stilts.
A visit to Viet Hai is a really unique opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese houses from back in the day.
When we arrived, the friendly locals showed us inside some of the traditional houses that were over a hundred years old.
The houses were simple in design but so charming with their thatched roofs.
The locals also had some home made wines that we could try, and then they showed us their fish pond foot massage!
You put your feet in the fish pond and all the little fish come and nibble on your feet, getting rid of the dead skin and making your feet smooth! It feels so ticklish when the fish are nibbling though!
Lots Of Natural Beauty
Viet Hai Village is surrounded by spectacular scenery, with lush forests, towering limestone karsts, and vibrant rice fields all around. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll love Viet Hai Village.
Behind the back of the houses was a little lake that we could sit next to and enjoy watching all the animals in the field!
If you have the time, there are lots of hiking opportunities around Viet Hai Village, in the Cat Ba National Park. The hikes aren’t easy but offer stunning views.
Caterina McGrail is a Travel Writer and ex-Flight Attendant based in Australia. She has visited 85 countries and lived in several – including Italy, Australia, United Arab Emirates and England. Her work has been featured in a variety of popular travel publications including Fodors, Escape, Australian Traveller and Bear Grylls, as well as several international aviation and travel companies. She only writes about places she has personally visited, and aims to give real, honest advice to help her readers.