Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO recognized world heritage and a must in most of the tours in Vietnam. Ha Long features thousands of limestone karsts and islets in various shapes and size.

Ha Long means a descending dragon. According to a local history, Vietnam started developing the country, invaders came to occupy part of the territory. They had to encounter Vietnam's resistance. To assist Vietnam to fight against its enemy, God sent a family of dragons as protectors in this war. Dragons spat out jewels and jades which later turned into islands and islets dotting the bay. These gifted islands and islets have formed a great wall to prevent the invader's attacks. In battles, rocky mountains appeared ahead of opponents' battleships which stroke them to sink to the river bed.

Nowadays, visitors opt for a cruise tour that includes sleeping on board while in the bay while a growing number decides to go straight to Cat Ba Bay from where trips to less-visited but equally alluring Lan Ha Bay.

Visitors have to purchase entry tickets for National Park (USD 2) and pay some fees such as a ticket for attractions in Bay such as admission to caves and fishing villages (USD 1.5).

The Photo of Tuoi Tre Online