Halong Bay
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a natural wonder of the world and one of Vietnam’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Total area: 1,553 sq. km
Heritage site area: 434 sq. km
Total number of islands: 1,969 islands
Number of island in heritage zone: 775 islands
Listed as world natural heritage year: 1994 and 2000
Province: Quang Ninh
Location:
Halong Bay is situated in the Northeast of Vietnam, 160 km to the east of Hanoi and constitutes part of the western bank of Tonkin Gulf, including the sea area of Ha Long City and Cam Pha Town and a part of Van Don Island district. Halong borders Cat Ba Islands in the southwest, the east sea in the east and the mainland. It is located within 106o58’-107o22’ east longitude and within 20o45’- 20o50’ north latitude.
Halong Bay history and legend:
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.ODC Travel
Halong Bay weather:
Halong City weather is symbolic of the climate in the North Vietnam featuring all four seasons. Summer lasts from May to October and winter is from November to April next year. It’s hot, humid and rainy in the summer and cold and dry in the winter. Storms have a large influence on the province, mainly in June, July and August. The intensity can be extremely strong, especially in island and coastal regions.
The average heat radiating during a year is 115.4 Kcal/sq. cm. The average temperature is over 21ºC, while the average humidity is 84%. Annual rainfall totals between 1,700 and 2,400mm, and there can be between 90 to 170 rainy days in a year. These are mainly concentrated in the summer (more than 85%), and especially in the months of July and August. In winter, rainfall only reaches between 150 and 400 mm.
Getting to Halong Bay:
From Hanoi, visitors can get to Halong Bay by bus or train. Located 165 km from Hanoi center, it’s takes 3.5 hours to get to Halong harbor and takes 4 hours to get to Halong City by train.
Halong Bay tourism:
Halong Bay is made up of 1,969 islands of various sizes. 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.
With limestone and karst-formation mountains and islands, Halong Bay offers thousands of beautiful caves, grottoes, islands as well as sandy beaches. Besides admiring beautiful landscapes, visitors can also enjoy many delicious sea foods as well as take part in a variety of exciting activities.
Halong beaches: Ti Top Island and Beach, Quan Lan Beach, Minh Chau Beach, Bai Tu Long Bay, Bai Chay Beach
Halong Bay grottoes: Dau Go Grotto, Thien Cung Grotto, Bai Tho Mountain, Kim Quy Grotto, Hang Hanh Grotto, Trinh Nu Grottoes, Vung Duc Grotto, Bo Nau Grotto, Luon Grotto, Me Cung Grotto, Tam Cung Grotto, Sung Sot Grotto
Halong Bay islets: Soi Sim Islet, Ba Mun Island & Bai Tu Long National Park, Ba Trai Dao Islet, Bo Hon Island, Cho Da Islet, Dau Be Island, Mat Quy Islet, Tuan Chau Islet, Con Coc Islet, Oan Islet, Am Islet, Ngon Tay Islet, The Vang Island, Yen Ngua Islet, Ba Ham Lake, But Islet, Cong Do Island, Dau Moi Islet, Dau Nguoi Islet, Dinh Huong Islet, Dua Islet, Thien Nga Islet, Reu Island, Su Tu Bien Islet, Trong Mai Islet, Xep Islet
