Halong Bay is a very popular travel and leisure vacation spot. It’s location is within the Quang Ninh region of Vietnam and is also recognized as as an UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a body of water of somewhere around one thousand five hundred square kilometers in North Vietnam. It incorporates a 120 kms of coastline in the Gulf of Tonkin Gulf in close proximity to the border of China. The bay is largely clustered with 3000 limestone islands. The fascinating beauty of them rising out of the water is breathtaking. The evolution of the limestone karst has taken place over many millions of years. Literally you will see absolutely nothing like this any where on earth, it’s a collection of absolute beauty and natural wonder.
In respect to historical research there is data of prehistoric human beings there 1000′s of years ago. Praise and acknowledgement have been honored over many years, documented as far back as five hundred years. It was then lauded “the rock wonder in the sky”, in a verse by Nguyen Trai. In 1962 Halong Bay was also recorded in the National Relics and Landscapes publication, along with the 1994 UNESCO listing as a World Heritage site.
Regional legend will explain that ancient gods sent dragons to Vietnam to enable them to battle the Chinese. As ammunition the mythical beasts started spitting out jade and jewels. This formed into the islets and the islands that are scattered along the bay. Many of these linked together creating a wall of sorts for protection.
Halong Bay is also a location of quite natural diversity. With tropical forests, coral reefs and literally thousands of species of wild animals and plants. Presently there is a population of around 1600 most living in floating houses and fishing being the mainstay here. Yet with more than two hundred varieties of fish and over 450 types of mollusks there is fishing a plenty.
If you are considering on going to Halong Bay, generally there are many ways to do this. Once arriving at Noi Bai International air-port you then need to go to Hanoi. Via Hanoi you have a handful of different options to get to Halong Bay. Helicopter is one method to go and undoubtedly the most dramatic way to get there. Some other methods to get there might be by public bus, which often is quite an experience as it usually takes five to 6 hours depending on traffic. By private car is the best way to go. Normally takes around 3.5 hours and you have a car driver that knows exactly where to go, well worth the cost.
At this point when in Halong Bay there are several opportunities for a person to go on the many Halong bay tours. Numerous holidaymakers desire to come from Hanoi for the day to tour and others plan to take a bit longer. Regardless of the duration it’s a tour you will undoubtedly need to do. You will find no greater beauty then cruising down the emerald green waters and experiencing the spectacular islands, mountains and islets, it is absolutely wonderful and an once in a life-time experience.
There are a lot of Halong Bay tours, cruises and junk boats. You can choose to go as a group or opt to do it privately. This particular way you can have more flexibility and your tour guide is all yours. The length of your own trip is up to you, yet to do it justice at least several days or more is recommended. Be prepared for the Halong Bay tour of your life, you will discover you have never really seen something so fantastic.
For further information go to Halong Bay Tours Review which offers reviews on this truly amazing place and the fantastic Halong Bay Tours available.