Halong Bay consists of thousands little islands in the north east of Vietnam. The islands are located in a bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong Bay means literally translated Bay of Descending Dragons, probably referring to the scenic rock formations. Halong Bay belongs to different districts of Vietnam and is listed as a World Heritage Site of UNECO.
Halong Bay has two kinds of islands, limestone and schist. There are 1.969 limestone karsts and islets, 989 of them have names. The limestone in the bay has gone through 500 million years of formation. The islands will give you a feeling of magic and mystic, although you do have to forget about the tourist boats. The highly concentrated zone of stone islands form the center of Halong Bay. It is a natural wonder and inspiring place with beaches, caves and grottoes.
Most tourists reach Halong Bay by tour, pre-purchased in Hanoi or other cities in the region. The prices vary depending on the quality of the boat, crew, food and additional activities. It is better to deal directly with a tourist company that sells the tickets to Halong Bay. Most tours include overnight stays at a junk or hotel on Cat Ba Island. Halong Bay offers many activities, such as fishing, swimming and kayaking.
Travelers to Halong Bay need a valid passport and visa. If you don’t want to take the boat, you could make use of a helicopter charter service on Saturday. These services departure from Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi.
