Magnificent Halong Bay is undoubtedly the natural wonder of Vietnam. Picture 3000 or more islands rising from the emerald water of the Gulf of Tonkin and you have a vision of greatness. In 1994 it was designated Vietnam’s second World heritage site. Visitors have compared the area’s magical landscape of limestone islets to Guilin in China and Krabi in southern Thailand. These tiny islands are dotted with beaches and grottoes created by wind and waves, and have sparsely forested slopes ringing with birdsong.
Besides the breathing taking vistas, visitors to Halong Bay come to explore the caves – some of which are beautifully illuminated for the benefits of tourists – and to hike in Cat Ba National Park. There are few ‘proper’ beaches in Halong Bay itself, except for those on Cat Ba Island, but in Lan Ha Bay (off Cat Ba Island) there are over 100 sandy strips.
As the number-one tourist attraction in the northeast, Halong Bay draws a steady stream of visitors year-round. From February to April, the weather in this region is often cool and drizzly. The ensuing fog can make visibility low, although the temperature rarely falls below 10oC. During the summer months tropical storms are frequent, and tourist boats may have to alter their itineraries, depending on the weather.
Halong translates as ‘where the dragons descend into the sea’. Legend has it that the islands of Halong Bay were created by a great dragon that lived in the mountains. As it ran towards the coast, its flailing tail gouged out valleys and crevasses, as it plunged into the sea, the areas dug up by the tail became filled with water, leaving only the high land visible.
Dragons aside, the biggest threat to the bay may be from souvenir-hunting tourists. Rare corals and seashells are rapidly being stripped from the sea floor, and stalactites and stalagmites are being broken off from the caves. These items get turned into key rings, paperweights and ashtrays, which are on sale in the local souvenir shops. Obviously the fewer people buy, the less the local people will take to sell: so please don’t!