Despite the hot weather, the boat rowers on Ha Long Bay remain tirelessly committed to taking visitors on journeys to explore the beauty of the unique tourist attractions in this World Heritage bay.
Discovering the Boat-Rowing Profession on the Bay – A “Specialty” of Ha Long Bay
The service of taking visitors out on boats to learn about fishing-village culture in Ha Long Bay was established nearly 20 years ago and remains a particularly attractive service that provides a livelihood for many fishing-village residents born in this land.
Rowing boats to take visitors sightseeing around the bay. Photo: Tien Phong.
Ha Long Bay Fishing Village Tourism Cooperative Ha Long Bay in the Vung Vieng area has nearly 100 workers and around 60 bamboo boats that regularly carry visitors on sightseeing trips. All cooperative members have deep-rooted ties to the former Vung Vieng fishing village.
Vung Vieng, a beautiful fishing village, was once the second-largest of the seven former fishing villages on the bay. As a result, more and more visitors come here to learn about the long-standing culture of the fishing communities and explore the magnificent scenery.
Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Every day, the boat rowers welcome visitors aboard, guide them to sit in the proper positions, carefully put on life jackets, and begin the bay sightseeing journey.
Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper.
The image of bamboo boats drifting slowly across the bay adds a more romantic and enchanting touch to the picture of Ha Long Bay. Rowing a boat may seem like a simple job, but not everyone can do it, as it requires excellent physical fitness, agility, and familiarity with the marine environment.
Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The most strenuous part is steering the boat through dark, narrow caves. The rower must exert himself to maneuver and weave the boat along the right course, ensuring that visitors do not hit their heads on the rocks.
The bamboo boats have become distinctive accents on Ha Long Bay. Photo: Pinterest.
During the sightseeing journey, the rower also acts as a genuine tour guide, introducing visitors to the beautiful scenery and the significance of each destination. They often take visitors to see the community center and the former Vung Vieng fishing-village model, helping them better understand the lives of fishing-community residents.
The boat rowers always thoroughly clean the boats before welcoming visitors. Photo: baoquangninh.
To do this job well, the boat rowers must thoroughly understand the cultural and historical values and the landscapes of the bay before they can confidently introduce them to visitors.
Many foreign visitors use the service. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Before the sightseeing journey ends, visitors are introduced to a natural pearl cultivation area using a process transferred by Japanese experts. Pearl farming not only creates additional jobs for fishing-village residents but also offers visitors engaging experiences.
Skillfully rowing visitors through the rocky caves. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The boats are filled with visitors.
In addition to rowing skills, people in this profession must also be proficient in communicating in foreign languages, learn water-rescue skills, and remind visitors to wear life jackets.
The enthusiastic boat rower also serves as a tour guide. Photo: baoquangninh.
The former “village gate” of Vung Vieng. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Therefore, during periods without visitors, the boat rowers take the opportunity to improve their foreign-language skills so they can communicate more confidently with international visitors. Before being allowed to serve visitors, they must complete a training course and pass a skills test before practicing the profession.
The boat-rowing profession provides a livelihood for fishing-village residents. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The boat-driving profession on Ha Long Bay may seem like a simple job, but under the sun’s intense heat and the sea’s salty air, it becomes more arduous than ever.
Every bamboo boat is equipped with a tool for collecting trash. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Alongside boat rowing, the collection and treatment of waste and environmental sanitation in Ha Long Bay are also receiving attention. The increasing number of visitors has affected the bay’s environment; therefore, focusing on environmental protection also helps protect the livelihoods of the boat rowers.
Visitors touring a floating house for aquaculture. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The boat service for transporting visitors has connected tourism activities and contributed to preserving the cultural beauty of the coastal region. The service also provides many residents with jobs and stable incomes to support their daily lives, and, in particular, gives visitors the opportunity to explore the natural heritage in the clearest way possible.
English class for boat rowers. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The image of bamboo boats taking visitors around Ha Long Bay has become a unique highlight in the eyes of tourists from everywhere, becoming something special in the heart of every visitor who loves this heritage region!
