Ha Long Bay, located in Quang Ninh province of Vietnam, is a small bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. The 120 kilometers coastline is made up of the mainland and bay borders that include Cat Ba Island in the southwest, the East Sea in the east, and the mainland, creating a. It has been recognized as a natural heritage site of worldwide importance by the Committee of the World Heritages of UNESCO since 1994. The sprawling and spectacular landscapes attract thousands of visitors annually.
The legend tells that it was long time ago when Vietnam was in newly formed nation. Once time being invaded, the God inducted dragon mother and her baby dragon group help Vietnamese to fight the invaders.
Invaders’ boats were rushing to the sea shore when the dragons landed down on the earth. The dragons immediately erupted coutless pearls which turned into thousand of islands like solid walls blocked the enemy’s ships. The place where the dragon mother landed down on is Ha Long (Long means Dragon and Ha is land down) today.
Ha Long Bay is made of almost 3000 where 980 islands remained anonymous till today. Fishing villages such as Cua Van, Ba Hang, Cap De,…, are dependent on the sea to make a living. The bay looks like the art painting of geographic work from the bird’s eyes view.
Each island is named by the shape it took form in and its connection to an historic story or a legend. Islands like Man's Head Island was named as it resembles to a man standing and looking towards the mainland; Dragon Island looks like a dragon hovering above the turquoise water; La Vong Island resembles an old fishing man. Other islands like the Island of the Sail, the Pair of Roosters, and the Incense Burner, too, strike an astonishingly resemblance to their namesakes.
The forms of the islands change to the lightings and angles you view them in. The wonderful caves and grottoes like such as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto), Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), and Tam Cung (Three Palace Grotto) can be found at the core of the islands.
Ha Long Bay is particular linked to the history of Vietnam. Famous geographical sites as Van Don (site of an ancient commercial port), Poem Mountain (with engravings of many poems about emperors and other famous historical figures), and Bach Dang River (the location of two fierce naval battles fought against foreign aggressors) are located there.
It has been proven by scientists that Ha Long was one of the first cradles of human existence in the area at such archeological sites as Dong Mang, Xich Tho, Soi Nhu, and Thoi Gieng. It is 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.
How to go? Ha Long Bay is 165 kilometers away from the Ha Noi capital (Vietnam). It takes two hours and a half bus ride from Luong Yen bus station). It costs around $$4 from Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay.
The weather: There are two main seasons in Ha Long Bay. It is the winter from November to the March and the temperature ranges from 120 – 200C. Summer starts in May and ends in September with the temperature ranging from 260 _ 350. Each season defines different and particular landscapes of Ha Long Bay.
Where to go? Spectacular islands, wild beaches, and grottos.
Tuan Chau island
The name Tuan Chau is derived from the word "soldier" and "town". A guard station was built on the island to protect the sea borderland of the nation in the feudal dynasty. Today, the handmade beach in Tuan Chau is filled with luxury resorts and high standard entertainments.
Hang Sung Sot (Surprise cave)
Hang Sung Sot is a tube, lying at the height of 25metrers compared with the current sea lever. The French named the cave is "Grotto des surprises" when they found it in the last of 19th century. Grotto is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay.
Hang Hanh (Tunnel cave)
Hang Hanh is the longest and the most beautiful cave of Ha long cave system. The 1300 meters long cave last to the Eat sea. Exploring deeply, the cave is the wild beauty picture in view of orchid flower blossoms, stone flowers, mother love flowers,… The Hanh cave is very low so that it keeps for for tracking tour of adventure tourist or someone acknowledges the current to leave out before the water increase.
Hang Trinh Nu (Virgin cave)
Hang Trinh Nu resembles a beauty girl with long hair. “Her sad and hopeless eyes are looking for her sweetheart out in the open sea. Trinh Nu cave is recommended for lovers come to here to promise to saving their love to the end of their life.
Quan Lan island
The Quan Lan island is where the wealthy fishing village congregates. The wild beach lasts few kilometers wide with gentle, white sand and clear blue water. The traditional houses hide under the range of casuarinas.
Where to dine?
There are many hotels in Ha Long province where server authentic Vietnamese cuisine such as Sofitel, Cong Doan, Ha Long, Ngoc Trai… Tourists who is looking to spend the night out in the sea can also enjoy fresh seafood dinner on the boat. Dining and staying with fishing man in the village on the wild beach would be a brand new experience for urbanites.
thanks to Jelly for editing my article
