About Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh, VietNam

Halong Bay is a beautiful natural wonder in northern Vietnam near the Chinese border. The Bay is dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets and covers an area of over 1,500 sqkm. This extraordinary area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. For many tourists, this place is like something right out of a movie. The fact is that Halong Bay features a wide range of biodiversity, while the surrealistic scenery has indeed featured in endless movies.

The best way to get to Halong City is by car, minibus or bus from Hanoi which is only 170km away. If budget is not a problem, an hour-long helicopter transfer is also available.

Hauntingly beautiful Halong Bay, 170 km. from Hanoi, is famous for its fascinating limestone Karst scenery with around 3,000 islands rising from the clear emerald water of the Bac Bo Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) "Halong" in Vietnamese means "the dragon descending to the sea" and is the highlight of any Vietnam trip. Take a boat trip and explore the grottoes, caves and tiny islands. For an up close and personal view, try kayaking - an excellent way to view the natural surroundings without disturbing the environment.