The Bay is dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets and covers an area of over 1,500 sqkm. This extraordinary area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious: words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay The islands there represent the most ancient images of a geographical site having a tectonic age of from 250 million to 280 million years. They are the result of many times of rising and lowering processes of the continent to form a karst. The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique Hạ Long Bay in the world. In a not very large area, thousands of islands with different forms look like glittering emeralds attached to the blue scarf of a virgin.

Viewed from above, Hạ Long Bay looks like an extremely vivid huge drawing. This is a wonderful and skilful masterpiece of the Creation and of nature that turns thousands of dumb soulless stone islands into fantastic sculptural and artistic works of various graceful shapes, both familiar and strange to human beings. Inside the stone islands are various breath-taking caves, such as Thiên Cung, Ðầu Gỗ, Sửng Sốt, Trinh Nữ, Tam Cung and others.

Ha Long Bay is also attached to glorious pages of Vietnamese history, with famous sites such as Vân Ðồn, a bustling trade port in the 12th century, charming Bài Thơ Mountain, and not very far away from here is the Bạch Đằng River which witnessed two famous naval battles of the Viet’s ancestors against invaders.

Literally, Ha Long means descending dragon(s). According to local myth, long time ago when their forefathers were fighting foreign invaders from the north, the gods from heaven sent a family of dragons to help defend their land. This family of dragons descended upon what is now Ha Long bay and began spitting out jewels and jade. Upon hitting the sea, these jewels turned into the various islands and islets dotting the seascape and formed a formidable fortress against the invaders. The locals were able to keep their land safe and formed what is now the country of Vietnam. The Dragon family fell so much in love with this area for its calm water and for the reverence of the people of Vietnam that they decided to remain on earth. Mother dragon lies on what is now Ha Long and where her children lie is Bai Tu Long.

Climate in Halong is featured humid tropical character, including two distinct seasons: hot, humid with much raining in summer and cold, dry in winter. The average temperature ranges from 15 – 25oC.

Tour   : Halong cruise

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  Tuan Chau Island

   Tuần Châu Island Resort was newly built on a location 8 km from the centre of Ha Long City. It stretches for 220 ha and built of gradual hills. A 2-km cement road connects the island with the mainland. The Tuần Châu Beach with 3 km of sand carpet will bring you great comfort while swimming in the turquoise water. You can also participate in water sports such as high-speed motorboat, parachute-pulled canoe, water skiing, rowing, or go fishing, tour around Ha Long Bay on balloon, or other activities such as mountain climbing or camping. see full details

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  Cat Ba

   Known as the largest Eastern island in Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba - 100 km2 in width, is located 45 km East of Hai Phong and 20km South of City. The island offers some of the most beautiful terrain and diverse ecosystems in Vietnam, including primeval forest, coastal mangroves, waterfalls, limestone lakes, freshwater swamps, and hot springs. There are two white sand beaches (Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2) located 1km from Cat Ba town. Cat Ba national park occupies a large area of the island and is well worth a visit especially if you enjoy hiking. The best time to visit Cat Ba is during October and November. see full details

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  Me Cung Grotto

  Me Cung Grotto or Bewitching Grotto is located far from 2 kilometers south-west of Ti Top Beach. The Grotto has been recognized by archaeologists as one of the vestiges of the pre-Halong new Stone Age culture that existed between 7,000 and 10,000 years ago. After a narrow crack only allowing one person through at a time, many partitions appear. These chambers are somewhat small and narrow, but very refined and with many stalagmites and stalactites bearing beautiful forms. Threading your way through narrow passages, you find a dim light from afar, which signals the exit of the grotto. On getting out of the grotto, climb up several rugged stone stairs and look down, you see a large round lake surrounded by the mountain. Its water is blue all year round. The lake is home to many kinds of fish, shrimps, octopuses, algae, see weed and coral. Lying adjacent to the lake there is an area of old trees popularly known as an alluring “royal garden”. see full details

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  Quan Lan Beach

   Quan Lan Beach lies at Quan Lan Island in Bai Tu Long Bay, between Minh Chau and Quan Lan Communes of Van Don District, 55km away from Halong City. The deep blue beach has strong waves and white sand, which spans over several kilometers. Tens of meters away from the beach stand the very green wild pines, which further add to its original charm. Come here, tourists can stay in a system of guesthouses taking the shape of stilted houses, which hide themselves under the lush foliage of casuarinas. A brick-paved road leads tourists from the artery to Quan Lan Beach. Its pristine beauty and pure environment have made it a Mecca for tourists. see full details

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  Ti Top island and beach

   Ti Top Island is situated about 7-8km south-east of Bai Chay. It displays a beach shaped like a crescent moon and sand that has been washed to a snowy white by the tide. The tiny island is named after astronaut Ghermann Titov, a hero of the former Soviet Union who visited Halong in 1962. It has now become an attractive beach for tourists and has various of tourist services. From about 14km east of Bai Chay is Ti Top Beach. It takes the shape of a crescent encompassing the island. Small though it might be, it wins kudos for its quiet and airy atmosphere, its clean and clear waters, as well as its alluring landscape. At present, there has a bar in the island which also provides swimming costumes, floats and lukewarm shower. Fresh water was carried to the island from inland. Ti Top Beach has become a popular tourist destination. see full details

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  Trinh Nu & Trong Grottoes

   Trinh Nu Grotto or Virgin Grotto is situated on the island range of Bo Hon in the system comprising Sung Sot Grotto, Dong Tien Lake and Luon Grotto. It is 15km south of Bai Chay Beach.  For fishermen, Virgin Grotto is their house, but for young lovers, it is considered as the symbol of truly love, and is the romantic place for taking oath of love. Entering Trinh Nu Grotto, one finds in the middle of the grotto a stone statue of a lying-girl with her long hair hanging down who is looking to the sea in a vain hope. Situated opposite to Trinh Nu Grotto, Trong (or Male) Grotto has a stone statue of a boy who turns his face to Trinh Nu Grotto. One still hears his vain scream in tune with the wind blowing into the cliff somewhere. see full details

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  Entertainment

      Some entertainment and relaxation centers in Halong City Area: - The international tourist resort in TuanChau Island, Tel: 033.3842115 - The International Royal Park: Halong Street, Baichay, Halong City,Tel: 033.3846658 - Quangninh Provincial Museum:165 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Halong City, Tel: 033.3825031. - Viet Nam – Japan Cultural Center: Le Thanh Tong Street, Halong City, Tel: 84.33.3825431 - Halong Cinema:  Le Thanh Tong Street, Halong City, Tel: 84.33.3825383 - Quangninh Provincial Library: 174 Le Thanh Tong Street, Halong City Tel: 84.33.3825384 -  Sports Center:Nguyen Van Cu Street, Halong City, Tel: 84.33.3823249 - Tennis courts: at the Children’s Center, Le Thanh Tong Street, Halong Hotel 1 and 2, Baichay, also next to the Halong Cinema. - The Electronic Games Machine Club:Halong Street, Baichay.Tel: 033.3844878, Fax: 033.3844879 - Dancing: + Heritage Hotel, 8 Halong Road, Baichay          Tel: 033.3845020 +Top Disco, Halong Road, Baichay          Tel: 033.3846000 + Queen Vosa, 70 Le Thanh Tong Street, Halong         Tel: 033. 3826193 There are many discotheques in the hotels and restaurants. Activities in Halong Bay: -  Travelling by boat to view the landscape, visit the caves and grottoes and relax and go swimming on the sandy beaches of the limestone islands. - Kayaking: A large boat carries small inflatable canoes or kayaks to deserted, almost unknown areas of the Bay. Visitors can paddle by themselves to explore remote wild islands and caves. - Cultural-historical tourism: tours for people interested in culture and archaeology. They stay a longer time in Ha Long to visit archaeological remains, study tangible and intangible culture and experience the beautiful land and seascapes, along with the outstanding geological and historical sites. - Eco-tourism on Ha Long Bay: visitors can visit isolated ecosystems with beautiful sandy beaches, tidal flats, mangroves, coastal wetlands and coral reefs. see full details

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  Restaurant

   In Halong, there is a wide range of restaurants including budget restaurants, seafood restaurants, as well as good European and Chinese restaurants. In the center of Baichay tourist area, superior restaurants are often located around the beach area and in the large hotels. Along Halong Street are many clean restaurants, offering seafood specialties and Vietnamese dishes. • European restaurants: 1. Hoang Gia In the area of the park, Halong Street, Baichay. Tel: 033.845.913 2. Heritage Halong Restaurant in the Heritage Hotel, Halong Street, Baichay. Tel: 033.845.020 3. Halong Plaza Restaurant in the Halong Plaza Hotel. Tel: 033. 845.810 4.  Halong Restaurant in the Halong Hotel. Tel: 033. 846.321 5. Bachdang Restaurant in the Bachdang Hotel. Tel: 033.846.330 • Chinese Restaurants: Quan Hai Lau Next to Baichay Tourist Wharf Tel: 033.847.037 • Seafood specialty restaurants: 1. Sea Food Restaurant in Halong Street, Baichay. Tel: 033.845.822 2. Thu Huong Restaurant, in Halong Street, Baichay. Tel: 033.845.142 3. Bin Bop Restaurant in group 10, zone 1, Tran Hung Dao Ward. Tel: 033.627.686 4. Noi Nho Restaurant, Tran Hung Dao Street. Tel: 033.825614 5. Bien Xanh Restaurant, No. 8 Le Thanh Tong Street. Tel: 033.825112 Co Ngu Restaurant -tel. (+84 33) 3511 363, Premium Villas, Halong road, Bai Chay, Halong city, Quang Ninh. A wide selection of Western cuisine and Asian delicacies is served at this premier local seafood restaurant see full details

Shopping

 What to buy: Lacquerware, the famous Vietnam lady wooden statues, T-shirts, ceramic tea sets, silk fabric, silk artefacts and crafts , Vietnamese conical hats, traditional Vietnamese dress etc. Basically souvenirs.

Where to buy:

The night market in the town of Bai Chay is a collection of open air stalls that sell a wide range of traditional Vietnamese souvenirs like laquerware, chopsticks, trinklets etc. The stallholders will quote you the price in US$. You will have to bargain for the price you feel is right for the product.

Floating Markets - Local boats filled with snacks. As the gentle waves of the water rock the little boat, you are served whatever your heart desires - chips, beer, seafood, sweets and much more.