Ha Long is about 180km from Hanoi and covers an area of over 1500 sq km but only 434sq km are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ( designate as such in 1994).
Ha Long is situated in north Vietnam with a 120 km coastline, in the Gulf of Tonkin near the border with China.
Ha Long bay means bay of the Descending Dragon in Vietnamese langue. “Ha” means “descending” and “long” means “dragon” in Sino Vietnamese
Local legend says 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.
History shows that Ha Long bay has been the setting for local naval battles against Vietnam’s coastal neighbors. On three occasions in the labyrinth lf 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 Khan’s fleet.
During the Vietnam War, many of the channels between the islands were heavily mined by the navy of the United States, some of which pose a threat to shipping to this day.
+ Highlights
Ha Long bay is one of the most beautiful places on earth. With its picturesque blend of land and sea, this one of the world’s most precious beauty spots
Dotted with thousands of rocky island it really is a natural sculpture on a gigantic scale
Thien Cung grotto Do go (cave of wooden stakes): This is the largest grotto in the Halong area. French tourists visited in the late 19th century, and named the cave Grotte des Merveilles. Its three large chambers contain large numerous stalactites and stalagmites (as well as 19th century French graffiti).
Bai Chay (Scorched Beach) There are two bigger islands, Tuan Chau and Cat Ba, that have permanent inhabitants. Both of them have tourist facilities, including hotels and beaches. There are a number of wonderful beaches on the smaller islands Hang Bo Nau (PelicanCave) Hang Trinh Nu (VirginCave) Hang Sung Sot (Cave of Awe) is Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area, the Sửng Sôt or Surprise Grotto is on Bồ Hòn Island, and is one of the finest and widest grottoes of Hạ Long Bay.
Ascending to the grotto, the way is covered by trees and foliage, and consists of great paved stone blocks.
Inside, it is partitioned into two chambers; the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall. Many stalactites hang from the high ceiling, with numerous possible forms and shapes.
A narrow passage leads to the second rooms, where a flow of light meets visitors. The chamber is so immense it could contain thousands of people at one time.
At the deepest point of the grotto, a "royal garden" appears with a clear pond and a seemingly fascinating landscape of mountains. Many birds and plants (benjamin figs, cycads and centenary banyan trees) live here. On nice days groups of monkeys might arrive in search of fruit.
It is situated in the central tourism centre of the bay, as well as Ti Top Beach, Bo Nau Grotto, Me cung Grotto and Luon Grotto. French named it "grotte des surprises" (grotto of surprise)
From the wharf, you climb 50 steep stone stairs to the mouth of the grotto, which lies 25 m above the sea level. Going down some 10 stone stairs, you reach the mouth of a grotto. The grotto covers some 10,000 m2. Inside the grotto there have thousands of stalactites and stalagmites along the 500-meter paved passage. Light posts line the passage and serve as signposts and ornaments. The lighting system with elegant styles adds more charm to the beauty of the grotto.
Up in the 30-meter roof of the grotto, one can figure out small, soft and even concave spots, which look like patterns in the ceiling of a theater. A huge piece of stone stands up to the ceiling by the grotto’s mouth. This evidences one of the typical karst-style grottoes with high scientific values.
At the side of the entrance, the rock seems to form the shape of a horse with a long sword. Legend has it, that after having defeated the Ân aggressors, Thánh Gióng (the Saint Gióng) helped the population to chase away evil spirits and demons. After this feat, Saint Gióng flew to heaven, leaving a stone horse and sword to continue to keep the demons away. Useful Information: ++ Pre-trip information, Please click here! ++ When is the best season? Please click here! ++ Map of Vietnam, Please click here!
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