Sure, we love big, bustling cities. But there’s something to be said for small towns where life moves slower, traditions are everywhere and the people stop to say hello. From North to South, these are some of the most charming little places in the whole entire Vietnam.

Cua Van – the peaceful village lies right in the core of the World Heritage Halong bay was recently rated as one of insanely beautiful small villages on the Earth by the famous travel site Huffington Post

Among sea and sky, a village appears with an uncanny beauty. Cua Van is located in a calm marine area enclosed by imposing limestone islets, a perfect location to anchor boat. It is a significant component of the bay. Here, there is 176 households inhabit and almost the residents make a living from fishing.

Combination between majestic karst hills and teal water created an amazingly fascination for Halong bay. Among this charming scenery, the small village Cua Van exists that seemingly adds a lively nuance for this wonderland. It is a pristine village, simple and not bustling.

This village derives from two ancient fishing villages of Giang Võng and Trúc Võng, now belongs to Hung Thang ward of Halong city.

Its residents have a unique culture and lifestyle of with unbelievable skills: moving house to house by just a tiny styrofoam boat; nourishing fish under house floor; upturning a floor-board, getting out a mussel, and there will be a nice dish.

Here, the local life is almost not confused by modern rhythm of life. The village has a tranquil, pristine look which is hard to find in elsewhere. Wooden junks and bamboo basket boats park in front of colorful raft dwellings and winding lanes. Houses are tied firmly each other to oppose thunderstorms and hurricanes. The fishermen are rustic and artless but really hospitable. They also have the good sense to save environment and keep this breathtaking scenery. Everyday, they alternately gather rubbish on the sea surface and neighborhood. Their raft houses are really clean and tidy.

In this neverland, it is possible to lazily lie on sundeck and relax or stand up and actively take part in some exploring activities. For the latter choice, there is a mass of interesting things to do, such as exploring Tien Ong cave and Ba Ham lake, climbing mountains, and kayaking around Halong bay (actually interesting as you find out a secret, untouched beach or a hidden way piercing through an islet). To close with the indigenous life, let come to the fishing site of Van Chai village to get experiences of catching squids on wooden ferry-boat, rowing basket boat, casting net and fishing under helps of the local villagers.