Ha Long bay is one of the most beautiful aquatic areas in the world and is the symbol of the Vietnamese tourism industry. Twice UNESCO recognized it as a World Natural Heritage site. The first time was in 1994 as the unique art masterpiece of nature, the second time was in 2000 when Ha Long bay was evaluated as a living geological museum.
The sensation of resting in a boat and looking into the crystal clear blue water, feeling the cool ocean breeze caress your face, and enjoying the fascinating beauty of thousands of various sized rocks naturally sculpted into interesting shapes such as Fighting Cock rock, Dinh Huong rock, and Horse Saddle rock is so wonderful. A unique feature is that the shape of the rocks appear to be constantly changing depending on the lighting conditions, time of day, and the vantage point of the visitor. The weather conditions, season of the year, and tidal height make the islands appear and disappear bringing a sense of tranquility, peacefulness, and relaxation, urging deep contemplation.
In addition, Ha Long Bay also has many beaches, grottoes, and beautiful landscapes. Ha Long Bay is an ideal place for sea kayaking where tourists can discover many mysterious grottoes under the tide or white sand beaches hidden far beneath narrow cliffs.
Quang Ninh is set up to host large groups comfortably and has a full array of business facilities needed for the important executive. With over 350 boats, the pleasure-boat group is very impressive with traditional designs carved in wood such as a dragon in the front, the mast, and curved temple roofs. Each boat cost 2-4 billion VND ($125,000 - $250,000 USD) and is used not only to serve tour guests for sight seeing, but is also a romantic and luxurious floating hotel. At the present time, Ha Long city has over 300 hotels including many 4-5 star-hotels with 200-400 rooms and a conference room that is able to host 300-500 guests and is very well suited for MICE programs.
Tuan Chau tourism area is located inside of Ha Long Bay, 8 kilometers away from the city center and 2 kilometers from the mainland. Tuan Chau attracts tourists worldwide with its many unusual and excellent entertainment programs such as the dolphin circus, water music, 4D movies, and special food. This is an ideal place for coordinating large events for up to 2,000 people with a modern stage combined with a system of conference rooms and the convenience of a 5 star-resort.
Come to Ha Long Bay at least once, Ha Long always welcomes you.
Places of interest
Halong City
The Cua Luc Straits divide Halong City into 2 parts: Bai Chay and Hon Gai. For the time being, in order to cross the straits, visitors have to take a ferry boat. In the near future, the Bai Chay Bridge, a suspension bridge of 903m in length will be completed in September 2006 to connect the 2 sides of the city. Hon Gai used to be a coal-exporting port and is now one of the most important commercial centres for transporting passengers and goods in northeastern Vietnam. Bai Chay is a low gently sloping range of hills running along the sea for 3kms. It was planned to be a windward seaside resort in the French colonial time. Now with many international standard hotels, recreational parks, green trees and white sand, Bai Chay has become one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.
Bai Tho Mountain
The Bai Tho Mountain, a limestone mountain of 201m in height, lies in the middle of Hon Gai. In feudal times, it used to be called the Truyen Dang Mountain, i.e. watch-tower, on the northeastern coastline. In 1468, in an inspection tour of this region, King Le Thanh Ton, inspired by the magnificent beauty of the natural surroundings, penned a poem which was later engraved on a flat stone cliff of the mountain. Since then, the mountain has been renamed the Bai Tho Mountain (Poem Mountain) and has also become an inspirational site for writers and readers of poetry alike. Walking along Bai Tho street, visitors can have a view of the bustling daily life of the local people.
Long Tien Pagoda
Long Tien Pagoda, the biggest in Halong, was built at the end of the Nguyen Dynasty (1941). In addition to Buddha, this pagoda is also dedicated to the “Holy Mother” and to the heroes of the Nguyen Dynasty. The mosaic dragon & phoenix decoration of the pagoda symbolizes the typical style of the architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. Moreover, it has a good collection of religious icons. Hence, the pagoda has become a site of pilgrimage for the local people and other visitors. On the 24th of the 3rd lunar month each year, Long Tien Pagoda organizes a procession of holy palanquins which draws big crowds.
Hon Gai Market
Located downtown Halong and only a 5-minute walk from Long Tien Pagoda, Hon Gai Market is one of the most attractive stops on the tour to Halong. Here visitors can learn many interesting things about the life of local fishermen and find some lovely souvenir items such as coal carvings, ceramics, lacquerware, etc. One of the highlights of Hon Gai market is its fresh seafood such as shrimps, losbters, crabs, snails,… which vary according to the tide and the weather.
Limestone islets
With its 1969 islets, 980-plus of which have been given names, Halong Bay has become one of the marvels of Vietnam. These islets give a picture of a lively life right on the clear, emerald waters with such names as “Cock Fight”, “Horse Saddle” and “Old Man & The Sea”. While navigating on the green clear waters, visitors may feel lost in the legendary world of these islets, whose shapes change depending on the sunlight or the position of the boat or ship visitors are on. The treasure of the islets are the very wonderful caves and grottoes to be discovered.
Caves and grottoes
Due to the rock type of the islets, Halong Bay is endowed with thousands of caves and grottoes. Visitors can see an elysium right on earth with pictures of the heavens, fairies or simply the lives of all living beings. Thien Cung Cave, Sung Sot Cave and Dau Do Grotto are easily visited thanks to newly-installed electric lights and beaten paths. Visitors to other caves and grottoes must be equipped with flash-lights because of their virgin nature.
Tuan Chau Island
Situated 3kms west of Dau Go Islet, Tuan Chau Island covers an area of 300ha. With a smooth terrain, it used to be an important staging ground in naval battles against the Mongols in the 13th century. At present some resort and eco-tourist projects are being carried on the island. With a 2.2km-long road connecting the island with the mainland and a range of 5-star hotels, villas, restaurants, entertainment facilities, conference facilities nestled in the shade of green trees, this small island is becoming an ideal place for holiday-makers and honey-mooners.
