Halong Bay is a very famous travel vacation spot. Its specific location is in the Quang Ninh province of Vietnam which is also recognized as being a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a body of ocean of approximately one thousand five hundred square kilometres in Northern Vietnam. It includes a 120 kms of shoreline in the Gulf of Tonkin Gulf near the edge of China. The gulf is densely clustered with 3000 limestone islands. The fascinating splendor of them climbing out of the water is breathtaking. The evolution of the limestone karst has taken place over millions of years. Literally you’ll discover absolutely nothing like this any where on earth, it’s a collection of sheer beauty and natural wonder.
In respect to historical analysis there exists proof of prehistoric human beings there many thousands of years ago. Praise and acknowledgement have been honored over many years, documented dating back five hundred years. It was then acclaimed as “the rock wonder in the sky”, in a verse by Nguyen Trai. In 1962 Halong Bay was also listed in the National Relics and Landscapes book, plus 1994 UNESCO listing as a World Heritage site.
Regional legend will explain that ancient gods sent dragons to Vietnam to enable them to fight the Chinese. As ammunition the dragons started spitting out jade and jewels. This formed into the islets and the islands that are scattered across the bay. All of these joined together creating a wall of sorts for protection.
Halong Bay is also a area of extreme biological diversity. With exotic forests, coral reefs and literally thousands of varieties of wild animals and plants. Presently there is a human population of close to 1600 the majority of them living in floating houses and fishing being the mainstay here. However with more than two hundred species of fish and over four hundred and fifty varieties of mollusks there is fishing a plenty.
If you are planning on going to Halong Bay, there are several ways to do this. Once arriving at Noi Bai International air-port you then want to go to Hanoi. From Hanoi you actually have a several different alternatives to get to Halong Bay. Helicopter is 1 method to go and absolutely the most breathtaking method to get there. Some other methods to get there would be by public bus, which is quite an adventure as it usually takes 5 to six hours depending on traffic. By private car is the best way to go. Normally takes around 3.5 hours and you have a driver that knows exactly where to go, well worth the cost.
Now when in Halong Bay there are numerous options for one to go on the many Halong bay tours. Some travellers choose to come from Hanoi for the day to visit and others arrange to take a bit longer. Regardless of the timeframe it’s a tour you will undoubtedly want to do. You will find no greater splendor then traveling down the emerald waters and discovering the beautiful islands, mountain ranges and islets, it is truly breathtaking and a once in a life-time experience.
There are numerous Halong Bay tours, cruises and junk boats. You can choose to go as a group or opt to do it independently. This particular way you can have more freedom and your tour guide is all yours. The length of your own trip is up to you, yet to do it justice at least 3 days or more is advised. Be ready for the Halong Bay tours of your life, you will discover you have never quite witnessed anything so amazing.

























