Halong Bay

Halong Bay(or Ha Long Bay) in northeastVietnamis universally acknowledged as a beautiful and breathtaking place one can not miss in the country. The Vietnamese say that if you haven't seenHalongBay, then you haven't seenVietnam.

Situated in Quang Ninh Province of Vietnam, Halong Bay area is not just the bay, but also 120 kilometers of a shoreline, as well as over three thousand islands bathing in the emerald water, with over a thousand of which have been given their names. This densely concentrated zone of stone islands, world famous for its spectacular scenery of grottoes and caves, forms the central zone of Halong Bay, which was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1994, and declared as one of the “New Seven Natural Wonders of the World” in 2011.

Halong literally means Descending Dragon, like many other Vietnamese attractions’ names,HalongBayhas the origin from a legend. The legend says that during the old timeVietnamwas invaded shortly after they started building the country. The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her children down to help ancient Vietnamese people. The dragons emitted from their mouths many pearls, which then turned into thousands of stone islands emerging in the sea like great walls stopping the invaders’ attack. Vietnamese won the battle, and the dragons decided to stay on the bay after the victory. The location that Mother Dragon landed is then calledHalongBay.

While exploring theHalongBay, you will be surprised to find it a geographic work of art. Islands with different shapes standing on the sea will make you feel lost in a legendary world. There is Man'sHeadIsland, which resembles a man standing and looking towards the mainland.CockIslandresembles two roosters standing ready to fight. Many other islands also astonishingly resemble their namesakes. The forms of the islands change depending on the angle of the light and from where the islands are viewed. At the core of the islands, there are wonderful caves and grottoes, such as Dau Go (Driftwood) Grotto, which was named due to remaining pieces of ironwoods were said to be found in the grotto, and Thien Cung (HeavenlyPalace) Grotto, one of the most beautiful grottos recently discovered inHalongBay. Visitors to Halong shouldn’t miss Bai Chay Beach (ScorchedBeach) as well, whose sand is dark and unique. Besides the beautiful scenery,HalongBayis also a region of highly-concentrated biological diversity with many ecosystems of salt water-flooded forests, coral reefs, and tropical forests featuring thousands of species of animal and plant life. There are so many attractive places in Halong Bay area that it is hard to list all of them, taking a cruise trip around Halong is one of the best ways to explore the beauty of the bay.

The average temperature ofHalongBayis 23.7 degree Celsius, suitable for travelling all the year round. But the best time to visit is from March to August, when tourists have chance to shoot exotic photos with blue sky and sea. It’s cloudy and rainy in autumn and cold in winter. Especially, the period between August and October is the typhoon season.

Halong Bay continues to attract and inspire tourists across the world, with writers and photographers flocking to capture its natural beauty. In fact, to truly grasp and appreciate its wonder, you really must see it with your own eyes.