Halong Bay

Halong Bay

Halong is situated in the North – East region of Vietnam, lies 160 km to the east of Hanoi. Halong is a bay in the Gulf of Tonkin consisting of regions of Halong City. Halong borders Cat Ba Islands in the southwest, the east sea in the east and the mainland.
Halong is a natural wonder of the world and one of Vietnam’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Halong is made up of 1,969 islands of various sizes. There are two kinds of islands; limestone and schist with over 3,000 limestone islands emerge from emerald green water of Halong. While some
islands are no more than large rocks, others are much more substantial and contain huge cathedral – like caves of stalactites. Most of the islands are clothed in thick green vegetation and ring with the sound of bird song in the early morning. Secluded sandy caves are everywhere and in the summer months the warm waters of the bay are ideal for swimming, snorkeling or kayaking.
History shows that Halong Bay has been the setting for local naval battles against Vietnam’s coastal neighbours. On three occasions in the labyrinth of channels in Bach Dang river near the islands the Vietnamese army stopped the Chinese from landing. In 1288 General Tran Hung Dao stopped Mongol ships from sailing up the nearby Bach Dang River by placing
steel-tipped wooden stakes at high tide, sinking the Mongol Dubhai Khans fleet.
Local legend has it that long ago when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders, the gods sent a family of dragons to help defend the land. This family of dragons descended upon what is now Ha Long Bay (hence the name "Bay of Descending Dragons") and began spitting out jewels and jade. These jewels turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linking together to form barriers against the invaders. The people kept their land safe and formed what later became the country of Vietnam. The best way to appreciate the delights of Halong Bay is to cruise among the islands on a wooden boat while enjoying a tea or enjoy fresh seafood.

Source:vietnam travel