22/07/2015
About Halong Bay
If one has to visit only one Vietnamese place of interest, one can’t get better than Ha Long Bay in the northern province of QuangNinh. Boasting some 1600 spectacular islands and islets emerging from the emerald water to form a huge graceful work of art, it’s no surprise that Ha Long Bay is often cited as a natural wonder of the world. Visit Ha Long and be charmed by an outdoors museum where more than 340 millions years of history is stored and conserved through the limestone karsts.
What to see in Halong:
First of all, be sure to include Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), the mothers of all majestic caves in your itinerary. It is regarded as an epitome of karst caves in Ha Long Bay and an Opera Theatre, with 3 main chambers that promise to take your breath away. Other visit-worthy caves are Dau Go, Bo Nau and Trinh Nu.
Whether or not you are intimidated by the inevitable crowd of tourists in those caves, BaiTu Long Bay is absolutely not to be missed. The complex, which occupies three-quarters of the Ha Long Bay area, is less known, but it doesn’t pale in comparison with nearby attractions. It’s not easy to find a place so packed full of aesthetic beauty, biodiversity, and culture as BaiTu Long Bay. You won’t be disappointed with stone mountains, long sandy beach, corals, forests, and fewer tourists as a bonus.
Cruise trip as the best way to enjoy Halong
Now kick start your journey by hiring a boat cruise through the bay that will let you indulge in the breathtaking vistas of islets. There are plenty of options when it comes to cruising in Halong. Most cruises fall under one of the three categories: Superior Cruise, Deluxe Cruise and Luxury Cruise, with the luxury level ascending in that order. Some cruises go as far as to accommodate a 5 star resort room type on board, with diverse forms of entertainment.
Many boat cruisings offer rewarding activities for the energetic, such as kayaking; discovering the geology, geomorphologic and biodiversity value of the bay; fishing trips; talking with people in fishing villages; coral diving; and cycling on islands
Once you’ve got your kicks from all the good things that Ha Long Bay can offer, what is a better way to call it a day than sleeping on the boat at the bay, immersing in the majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious nature of the calm water, the starry sky and the grand islands.
Halong Bay is the stuff of myths and naturally the Vietnamese have concocted one. Even when you have seen numerous beautiful caves in your life, it won’t spoil to explore the distinctive nature of Ha Long Bay and see why it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
