Just like Sleeping Beauty, Viet Hai village is surrounded by high mountains, thick jungles, and vast ocean. And if you want to see her, you will need to either take a boat or trek through the jungle for hours. But her beauty and the experience she offers are totally worth it! Visit her if you want a chance to switch to a new atmospheric space. And here, you will also appreciate the precious retained hundreds-year traditional cultural values of Cat Ba.
Location of Viet Hai Village
Located approximately 18 km from Cat Ba island, the small village named Viet Hai is in the midst of jungles, covered by high mountains. The village is situated in the heart of Cat Ba National Park, which belongs to Cat Hai district of Hai Phong city. To reach the village, tourists will have to embark on an 8km trek passing the Ao Ech Lake. On this route, tourists will walk through the primary forest in the national park and then follow adventurous trails. If you are not fit enough for those sheer cliffs, deep gorges, and muddy ponds, choose a 45 minutes boat from Beo pier in Cat Ba Town to visit this village.
Local Life and Culture in Viet Hai Village
Just a few years ago, Viet Hai was almost isolated from the outside world due to its distant locality. More and more people realize its hidden beauty but the locals here still retain their “primitive” features as the ancient. There are around 80 houses that are simply made of bamboo, wood, leaves and soil. Just like their ancestors who had lived here for centuries, the villagers make a living by fishing, farming and breeding. As their sources of food and income come from nature, they still live with great harmony to nature.
The villagers are really hospitable, sincere and friendly. In fact, the village has almost no social crimes. It might be surprising to tourists that all of the houses in the village are open through the night and day. Even when the owner has to be out of town for days, there is no need for him to keep the door locked as no one would steal any belongings. The community here is also really strong. Whenever a family needs help, these others will be willing to be available and give out a hand. Also, they can even comfortably use others’ furniture, etc. That must sound nicely insane if you are already too used to your chaotic big city life. f every other. Viet Hai is nearly clean with all kinds of social evils.
Despite being one of the poorest communes in Cat Hai district, Viet Hai is a land of joy and happiness. People here seem satisfied with their lives which are poor in materials but rich in gratitude. Their sincerity, kindness and optimism are what attract more and more international tourists.
Things to Try in Viet Hai Village
First thing in the morning: Go trekking
Trekking would be the first thing you can try before even reaching the village. As the village is protected by high mountains, jungles and springs, it will cost you lots of efforts to visit this unique attraction. But if you wish to soak up the extremely peaceful and poetic scenery and forget the chaos of the city life, this trip is exactly what you are looking for. Just keep it in mind that the trek will be 8km long, brace yourself!
Enjoy Lan Ha Bay
If you choose to go by boat, don’t forget to enjoy the majestic beauty of Lan Ha Bay. Not as famous as the world-wide recognized Halong Bay, Lan Ha is a hidden gem with hundreds of islets, sandy beaches, and floating houses.
When in Rome, do as Romans do
When in the village, make the most of the primitive life! Here you can leave behind all the comforts to work as a local farmer or fisherman. You can learn how to have a buffalo as your coworker, visit old houses and talk to friendly locals about their lives here. Get rid of all the stresses in life by walking through the fields, on the village road and breathe the rhythm of the mountains and forests. This will make you value the simplicity and purity of this place even more.
The villagers are extremely open about tourism. Some people have their side job as motorbike taxi drivers to earn some more living. You can hire them to take you around the village, they will surely know where you should head to for the best sightseeing experience. Numerous stilt-houses and restaurant have been opened lately to serve the needs of tourists. After a day of sightseeing or trekking, you will have a nice meal cooked with fresh vegetables and meat. Many young villagers voluntarily become your tour guide as they all are eager to turn their fishing village to a unique island for tourism. They have huge potentials to make their homeland one of the most bewitching Cat Ba attractions in the near feature. This small fishing village plays a big role in contributing to promote Cat Ba tourism in particular and Haiphong tourism in general. It has attracted thousands of tourists, both domestic and international ones.
Best Time to Visit Viet Hai Village
April to September is the best time to visit Viet Hai village. The sunny weather will make your trekking much easier and also you can enjoy the majestic beauty of Lan Ha Bay more clearly.
Ready to look beyond Viet Hai village? Try our subjective list of top 20 Halong Bay tourist attractions!
