Post by susan1304 on May 8, 2012 5:54:15 GMT 1
Halong Bay is situated in Quang Ninh province in northern Vietnam, approximately 170 kilometers east of Hanoi in the Gulf of Tonkin. This bay is famous for its picturesque ocean limestone landscape and is recognized as one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural wonders. There are more than 2,000 limestone karsts in Halong Bay in addition to thousands of limestone monolithic isles along the 120-kilometer coastline of Bai Chay Beach. The weather of Halong Bay, like most of other places in Vietnam, is tropical with two main seasons: dry and cold winter, and hot and moist summer. The temperature varies from 15° to 25°C.
What’s so Special About Halong Bay?
Having visited the pace, I can say that Halong Bay is among the top tourist spots I’ve visited in my years of travel. The diverse-vegetation of Halong Bay’s terrain has created diverse ecosystems which includes oceanic, sea shore and tropical evergreen bio-systems. Visitors may explore the pristine coral reefs, untouched freshwater swamp forests, dense mangrove forests, crystal-clear water lakes and white-sand beaches. Halong Bay is also a home to 60 endemic faunal species and 14 endemic floral species. With its peerless aesthetic value and a varied conglomeration of wildlife, it’s not surprising at all that Halong Bay has been designated by the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism as a 'Renowned National Landscape Monument and later authenticated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Legend and Folklore of Halong Bay
The literal interpretation of the name Halong is “Bay of Descending Dragons”. The ethnic folklore says that, in the ancient times, locals had to defend themselves from invaders when Vietnam was just starting to develop into a country. In order to help the people, a family of dragons came from the heavens to become their protectors. The dragons started spitting out sparkling jewels and jade which turned into islands and islets that link together to form a natural barrier against the foreign invaders. After the locals had prevailed, the dragons decided to settle in the bay. Since then, the name Halong was given to the spot where the brood-mother dragon stayed. Today, visitors can gaze in awe at grottos which create unified chambers with hidden lakes and spectacular rock formations.
Get the Best Out of Your Trip to Halong Bay
It is best to enjoy the natural wonders of Halong Bay Vietnam by embarking in one of several Halong Bay tours that visit the location on a regular basis. Sailing the waters on board one of the iconic junk boats is a truly unique experience that imparts a sense of the old world. Most of the boats have been designed in conventional junk boat style but they usually come with luxurious cabins and up-to-date facilities. These boats are floating art pieces themselves as they feature superb craftsmanship and brightly coloured sails.
Taking Halong Bay tours and Halong Bay junk boat cruises are awesome ways to integrate yourself in Vietnamese culture and truly enjoy the exotic feeling and the natural wonders of Vietnam. At the end of the day, whether you want an amazing way to explore the lush green environment and diverse ecosystem, or you’re looking for a romantic holiday among some of the world's most captivating scenery, Halong Vietnam has everything to offer… you’ll definitely have a journey that you will never forget! Halong Bay is a definitely a highlight of any visit to Vietnam and certainly a must on every traveler's list.
What’s so Special About Halong Bay?
Having visited the pace, I can say that Halong Bay is among the top tourist spots I’ve visited in my years of travel. The diverse-vegetation of Halong Bay’s terrain has created diverse ecosystems which includes oceanic, sea shore and tropical evergreen bio-systems. Visitors may explore the pristine coral reefs, untouched freshwater swamp forests, dense mangrove forests, crystal-clear water lakes and white-sand beaches. Halong Bay is also a home to 60 endemic faunal species and 14 endemic floral species. With its peerless aesthetic value and a varied conglomeration of wildlife, it’s not surprising at all that Halong Bay has been designated by the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism as a 'Renowned National Landscape Monument and later authenticated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Legend and Folklore of Halong Bay
The literal interpretation of the name Halong is “Bay of Descending Dragons”. The ethnic folklore says that, in the ancient times, locals had to defend themselves from invaders when Vietnam was just starting to develop into a country. In order to help the people, a family of dragons came from the heavens to become their protectors. The dragons started spitting out sparkling jewels and jade which turned into islands and islets that link together to form a natural barrier against the foreign invaders. After the locals had prevailed, the dragons decided to settle in the bay. Since then, the name Halong was given to the spot where the brood-mother dragon stayed. Today, visitors can gaze in awe at grottos which create unified chambers with hidden lakes and spectacular rock formations.
Get the Best Out of Your Trip to Halong Bay
It is best to enjoy the natural wonders of Halong Bay Vietnam by embarking in one of several Halong Bay tours that visit the location on a regular basis. Sailing the waters on board one of the iconic junk boats is a truly unique experience that imparts a sense of the old world. Most of the boats have been designed in conventional junk boat style but they usually come with luxurious cabins and up-to-date facilities. These boats are floating art pieces themselves as they feature superb craftsmanship and brightly coloured sails.
Taking Halong Bay tours and Halong Bay junk boat cruises are awesome ways to integrate yourself in Vietnamese culture and truly enjoy the exotic feeling and the natural wonders of Vietnam. At the end of the day, whether you want an amazing way to explore the lush green environment and diverse ecosystem, or you’re looking for a romantic holiday among some of the world's most captivating scenery, Halong Vietnam has everything to offer… you’ll definitely have a journey that you will never forget! Halong Bay is a definitely a highlight of any visit to Vietnam and certainly a must on every traveler's list.
