Halong Bay

Ha Long Bay is a well known scenic spot in Vietnam. Lying at the heart of the coal mining province of Quang Ninh, It stretches for over 95km along the sea coast of North Eastern Vietnam. Ha Long means "Descending Dragons". According to a folk tale, long long ago, a horde of foreign invaders came to this area of the coast and massacred defenseless fishermen. In furiated, a mother dragon, together with her children descended on the area and spouted jets of water that sank the pirates' boats and junks. Hence the name Ha Long Bay, given by the local population.

The bay is dotted with more than one thousands islands both large and small and most of them limestone mountains rising dramatically from the sea such as Dao Rong (Dragon Islet), Hon Ga Choi (Fighting Cocks Islet), Hon Con Rua (Turtle Islet), Hang Dau Go (Wooden Stakes Grotto), Dao Khi (Monkeys Island) and Dao San Ho (Coral Island)...

Ha Long Bay is also a place that has seen many historic feats of arms. Lying on the seaborne invasion route, it became a battlefield on many occasions, hindering the advance of foreign aggressors from the north. At the start of their aerial and naval war of destruction against North Vietnam, on 5 August, 1964 the Americans ordered the bombing of Ha Long, but that very day, three US war planes were shot down, and the first American pilot was captured there.

Ha-Long-Bay-view The waters of Ha Long Bay are clear and blue all year round and the waves gentle. Tourists can bathe on beaches close to hotels, as well as on beaches at the foot of offshore islands. Owing to the sea's influence, the weather here does not change much from one season to another. Apart from the first and last few months of the year, when the weather is cold, Ha Long Bay is crowded with tourists almost all year around.
Situated at Ha Long Bay is the Bai Chay seaside resort. This is an area of low hills, stretching for over two kilometres and hugging the coast. On the hillsides are villages, hotels and rest houses nestled amidst age-old trees. The network of tourist services in Ha Long seaside resort has been constantly upgraded over the past few years.

The beauty of Ha Long Bay accounts for the fact that it is considered to be one of the wonders of the world. A boat cruise through Ha Long Bay is an unforgettable experience. But for the occasional fisherman rowing past in his bamboo coracle, you'll be left alone to enjoy the sound of the waves lapping against deserted beaches. With thousand of uninhabited islands to explore, the possibilities are endless. Pull into a hidden cove, collect seashells on the beach, and swim in the aquamarine sea. In this enchanted atmosphere, work, deadlines and the stresses of modern life are soon forgotten. HaLong Bay will soothe your soul and rekindle your belief in magic. A Vietnam holiday cannot be completed without a trip to Ha Long Bay, especially a 2-day excursion to Ha Long Bay with one night cruising in one of many deluxe junks in the Bay.

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See more:

> Ha Long Cruises
> Ha Long Hotels

Recommended cruises in Ha Long:

Red-Dragon-junk Indochina-Sails Emeraude-Cruise Ginger-Cruise Bai-Tho-Junk