Hotels

Tours:

ex Hanoi

ex HCMC

ex Da Nang

Country Information

Tailored Tours

History & Culture

Activities  & Maps

Vietnam Visas

Ha Long Bay at a Glance | Ha Long Bay History | Ha Long Bay Location | Ha Long Bay Attractions

Ha Long BAY AT A GLANCE:

Ha Long Bay was recognized by the United Nations, (UNESCO) as a world heritage site. It is 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. 

HISTORY:

Ha Long Bay has many links to the history of Vietnam. For example, there are such 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).  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.

LOCATION:

Ha Long Bay covers an area of 1,500 sq. km and is dotted with thousands of islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Bac Bo.  Situated in the North-East region of Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is a bay in the Gulf of Tonkin comprised of regions of Ha Long City, the township of Cam Pha, and a part of the island district of Van Don. Ha Long Bay borders Cat Ba Island in the southwest, the East Sea in the east, and the mainland, creating a 120 km coastline.  Ha Long Bay is made up of 1,969 islands of various sizes, 989 of which have been given names. There are two kinds of islands, limestone and schist, which are concentrated in two main zones: the southeast (belonging to Bai Tu Long Bay), and the southwest (belonging to Ha Long Bay).  This densely concentrated zone of stone islands, world famous for its spectacular scenery of grottoes and caves, forms the central zone of Ha Long Bay, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The bay itself has an area of 43,400 ha, consists of 775 islands, and forms a triangle with the island of Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto) to the west, the lake of Ba Ham (Three Shelter Lake) to the south, and the island of Cong Tay to the east.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

ATTRACTIONS:

Viewed from above, Ha Long Bay resembles a geographic work of art.  While exploring the bay, you feel lost in a legendary world of stone islands. There is Man's Head Island, which resembles 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 man fishing. There are also the Islands of the Sail, the Pair of Roosters, and the Incense Burner, which all 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 Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), and Tam Cung (Three Palace Grotto).    Dau Go (Driftwood) Grotto is found on Driftwood Island, formerly known as Canh Doc Island. The name Driftwood Grotto comes from the popular story of the resistance war against the Nguyen Mong aggressors. In a decisive battle, Tran Hung Dao was given an order to prepare many ironwood stakes to be planted on the riverbed of the Bach Dang River. The remaining wooden pieces were found in the grotto and, as a result, the grotto was given its present name. The entrance is reached via 90 steps up the island. The grotto is divided into three main parts. In the first chamber, many forms can be seen in the rock, depending on the imagination of the observer. In the middle of the chamber, on the top of the pillar, there appears to be a monk draped in a long, dark cloak, with his right hand clasping a cane. Moving into the second chamber, visitors pass through a narrow "door", naturally formed through erosion. The light here is mysterious, and new images appear in the stone. At the end of the grotto is a well of clear water surrounded by four ancient walls. In this grotto, there remains an engraved stone stele singing the praises of Ha Long Bay ordered by Emperor Khai Dinh when he came to visit the grotto in 1917.  Trinh Nu (Virgin) Grotto-Trong (Male) Grotto is situated in the island range of Bo Hon, in the system comprised of the Surprise Grotto, Dong Tien Lake, and Luon Grotto. The grotto is 15 km south of Bai Chay Beach.  For some fishermen, the Virgin Grotto is home, while for young lovers it is a popular romantic rendezvous site.  The Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace) Grotto is one of the most beautiful in Ha Long Bay. Thien Cung is situated on the southwest side of the bay, 4 km from the wharf outside of Ha Long City. It is located in a small range of islands that resemble a throne embracing two superb grottoes at its core. The way to Thien Cung is perilous, covered on both sides by thick forest. After entering a narrow gate, the magnificent, 130 m long grotto opens up.  In the last chamber of the grotto, a natural gushing stream of water babbles throughout the year. Here there are three small ponds of clear water.  The Quang Hanh Grotto located 9 km west of Cam Pha  This is the longest grotto in Ha Long Bay. It is 1,300 m long, and stretches throughout the stone mountain of Quang Hanh. The French named it "Le Tunnel," or Tunnel Grotto.  Quang Hanh Grotto is accessible by either boat or car, but the entrance only appears when the tide is out. Ba Co Shrine (shrine of three girls) is in the grotto beside a smooth stone block.  A small boat will take you through the stone passageway by flashlight, casting magical colors on the hanging stalactites.  The Bai Tho Mountain (Poem Mountain) is 106 m high. It runs along the coast, half on land and half in the sea. Sailing in the bay, one or two hundred meters from the mountain, one can see a poem carved on a flat stone cliff.  In 1468, Emperor Le Thanh Tong, who was also a poet, made an inspection tour of the North-East region. He stopped at the foot of the mountain, and inspired by the magnificent beauty of his surroundings, he wrote a poem. Later, he had the poem engraved on the wall of the mountain.   Tuan Chau Islet is situated 3 km west of Dao Go Islet, and has an area of 300 ha. On the islet, there is a very simple bamboo house built by the inhabitants of Quang Ninh for Uncle Ho to rest after visiting Ha Long Bay. The house is now carefully preserved by the locals.  Bai Chay is a resort located along the coast of Ha Long Bay. This is a windward ocean resort which has a year round average temperature of 20oC (68oF).   Bai Chay is a low gently sloping range of hills that runs along the sea for more than 2 km. Blended in among the pine trees are large hotels and small villas with distinguished architectural styles. Traveling down the asphalt road along the coast, visitors see long white stretches of sand and green rows of Casuarina trees, tucked under which are small family-run restaurants. After swimming at the beach, tourists can enjoy cold drinks and cool off in the breeze that sweeps in from the sea.  Tra Co Beach can be reached by boat from Hai Phong or Hong Gai, by minibus from Hong Gai, and by motorcycle from Mong Cai. It is easy to reach Tra Co Beach from Mong Cai because of the road linking the land to the island. Located next to the Chinese border, Tra Co Beach is one of the most charming beaches in Vietnam.  It stretches on 15 km of white sand beach, situated on the outer edge of the island. The coastline is bordered by sand dunes where densely populated villages are located. The beach is shaded by sandalwood trees, protecting the village from the wind and the sand.  The average temperature in Tra Co is 23°C, although it tends to fall below 20°C from December to March. The hottest months are June and July when the temperatures reach 26 and 28°C.  Tra Co Beach is the ideal location place to spend vacations and holidays.  In Tra Co, there is a beautiful church that was built in 1880. In 1995, the church was restored to its form of 100 years ago. Among it relics, there is a giant bell and hundreds of beautifully crafted sculptures. The church is a famous tourist attraction in Mong Cai town, Quang Ninh province.  The Yen Tu Mountains are located 14 km from the center of Uong Bi in the northeast region of the country. According to Vietnamese Zen Buddhist history, Yen Tu Mountains are located where the Three Patriarchs of the Truc Lam Ch'an sect came into being.   Yen Tu’s legacy includes pagodas, temples, and towers that spread from the foot of Doc Do Hill, also named Bi Thuong, to Dong Pagoda. The road leading to Yen Tu passes through many hills and streams. The most beautiful stupa is Tich Quang dating back to 1727 where the remains of its founder, Tue Dang, are kept.   In the past, the Yen Tu Mountains were a National Buddhist Center. Nowadays, Yen Tu Mountains are a valuable historical and cultural vestige of Vietnam. The Quynh Lam Pagoda is situated in Trang An commune is one of the most famous ancient pagodas in Vietnam.  Passing a hill where there is the newly-built Ho Chi Minh Museum you will see the historical area of Pac Bo. Karl Marx Mountain stands by Lenin Stream whose flow looks like silk. Its water is so tranquil that one can see the fish and pebbles on its bed and the green watercress in the water.  Walking on the rocks along the side of the stream, where Uncle Ho used to work and fish, you reach a wooden bridge over Coc Bo rivulet, where Lenin Stream starts. The water is clear and cool and has a sweet taste. Beyond the bridge is the place where Uncle Ho often cooked soup with vegetable and bamboo shoots. By the side of a rugged rocky mountain is Pac Po Cave. Looking down into the cave from its mouth, you can see the words "February 8th 1941" written by Uncle Ho on the wall. That was the day he came to live in this small cave, a wet and cold place lying deep in a mountain gorge that nobody paid much attention to.  Inside the cave there is a wooden board as a bed for Uncle Ho. In this place, Uncle Ho, in the simple dress of the Nung ethnic group, often sat by the fire at night to talk with his assistants Pham Van Dong, Vo Nguyen Giap and Phung Chi Kien about the situations at home and abroad.  The Bach Dang Stake-Yard is situated in the marshy zone of the village of Yan Giang commune that borders the Chanh River. The Bach Dang Stake Yard was officially recognized as one of Vietnam's historic vestiges on March 22, 1988, the 700th anniversary of the great victory at Bach Dang against Mongol invader.  The stake-yard is the site where Tran Hung Dao, a national hero of the 13th century, is forever honored.