Halong Bay Restoring the Cua Van Floating Cultural Center
Amidst the vast expanse of Halong Bay, the Cua Van
Floating Cultural Center – a unique aquatic "museum"
– is receiving renewed attention following the recent
storms, opening up opportunities to continue and spread
the distinctive maritime cultural values of the heritage
site.
Located in Cua Van, one of the most representative
fishing villages in the bay, the Center serves as both
an exhibition space and a repository of centuries-old
memories of the aquatic communities in Halong Bay.
According to research on aquatic culture, Cua Van was
formed from the settlement of many ancient fishing
villages, most notably Giang Vong and Truc Vong.
With the restoration of the Cua Van Floating Cultural
Center, visitors will have a unique destination within
the heritage site of Halong Bay.
From around the 17th-18th centuries, fishermen from
these villages settled in Halong Bay, building floating
houses and traveling by small boats, forming a lifestyle
closely connected to the sea. By the late 19th and early
20th centuries, residents of Giang Vong, Truc Vong, and
other nearby water-dwelling groups gradually converged
on the Cua Van area – a sheltered location ideal for
anchoring boats – creating a large, bustling fishing
village that also became the cultural and social center
of the Halong Bay fishing community.
In that historical context, the Cua Van Floating
Cultural Center was inaugurated in 2006, within the
framework of the Halong Ecological Museum Project funded
by the Norwegian Government. It became the first
floating cultural center in Vietnam for fishermen and a
pioneering ecological museum model connecting heritage
with the original living space. According to experts on
sustainable tourism development from the UNESCO World
Heritage Center, this center not only displays artifacts
and tells the story of maritime culture in a vivid and
profound way, but also contributes to the development of
the local community, raises conservation awareness, and
spreads indigenous values.
Accordingly, in nearly two decades of operation, the
Center has affirmed its special role in introducing the
maritime culture of Halong Bay. Six exhibition themes
comprehensively reflect the material and spiritual life
of the aquatic inhabitants, from the natural
environment, livelihoods, folk knowledge to maritime
beliefs and traditional love songs and call-and-response
songs. The floating space in the bay allows visitors not
only to "see" the culture, but also to "feel" it,
through direct experience with the landscape, people,
and the rhythm of life that once existed on the water.
Therefore, the Center is considered a "special museum,"
adding humanistic depth to the Halong Bay World Natural
Heritage site. It is also a learning and research
destination for many scientists and students, both
domestic and international, when studying aquatic
culture, a unique form of habitation.
However, after nearly 20 years of operation in harsh
marine conditions, especially Typhoon Yagi in September
2024 with its strong winds and large waves, the Center
suffered serious damage, forcing all operations to
temporarily cease. This impact not only caused material
losses but also posed a risk of disrupting an important
space of memory for the fishing community's culture.
Given this situation, the renovation and upgrading
project was proposed by the managing agency and received
attention from the Provincial People's Committee and the
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry
assessed the necessity of the project, affirming that it
is a project of outstanding value in preserving and
promoting cultural heritage associated with the World
Natural Heritage site. The Provincial People's Committee
has directed specialized agencies to research and
propose a project for the renovation, repair, and
upgrading of the Center.
Cua Van is both a vibrant living museum and a place that
recreates many beautiful and unique cultural features of
the coastal inhabitants.
The project is expected to be implemented in 2026. The
center will be relocated ashore for repairs, then
returned to its original location in the bay, ensuring
structural safety, landscape harmony, and minimizing the
impact on the heritage environment. More importantly,
after its restoration, the center will not only be
upgraded technically but also repositioned to serve as a
space showcasing the unique maritime and island culture,
while also becoming a highlight for heritage education
and sustainable cultural tourism.
From ruins after Typhoon Yagi, the revival of the Cua
Van Floating Cultural Center is not just about repairing
a structure, but about affirming the commitment to
preserving and continuing the aquatic culture of Halong
Bay as a vibrant part of today's heritage.
Halong cruise
tours - Travel services in Halong Bay, Vietnam,
primarily revolve around organized cruises, these
services cater to tourists seeking scenic boat tours
amid the bay's limestone karsts, with overnight cruises
being the most popular for immersive experiences.
Quality varies, with higher-end options praised for
comfort and activities like kayaking, while budget
choices face mixed reviews on crowding and organization.
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