Ha Long Bay

The romantic beauty of Ha Long always comes with the legend of its name, literally translated as “Descending Dragons”. The legend says a Mother Dragon and many child dragon were sent to help Viet people fight against the invaders. They descended from the sky when the enemy was launching a massive attack, reverse the situation and support Viet people to the victory. After defeating the invaders, the dragons chose to stay on Earth, right at the place they descended. Many names of islands in Ha Long all come with the world Long or Rong (means Dragon) such as Dau Rong (Dragon head), Mat Rong (Dragon eye), Hon Rong (Dragon islet), Bach Long Vi (White Dragon Tail) and so on. In Vietnamese culture, Dragon is a very significant feature symbolizing for power, gods and majesty, worshiped in pagodas and carved in traditional structure.
The everlasting beauty of Ha Long is created by three factors: stone, water and sky. The diverse of island and islet here is displayed in variety of shapes and can be regarded as a water-color, a work of art. The islands, scattered all round, have different shapes which provoke the imagination: Dinh Huong (Incense Burner) implies spiritual significance, Trong Mai (or Ga Choi-Fighting Cocks) the symbol of Viet Nam tourism, Con Coc (Toad) recalls the passage of time, waiting thousands of years to seek justice in Heaven. There are islands that resemble a resplendent throne, a Vietnamese mother’s curved back carrying her child, a roof, an old man, a human head and so on. Standing on cruises watching those stunning limestone islets with exceptional fresh clean water below and bright blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds above must be an unforgettable experience in your life.
Setting foot on bigger islands brings you another impressive memory. Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stakes) dazzles the senses with many huge stalactites hanging poised in mid air and stalagmites growing majestically upwards. Another great attraction is Thien Cung Grotto (Heavenly Palace) with its small, narrow entrance, but inside looking like a marvelous palace, and many other caves each has its own attractions and beauty.
Ha Long sea always get the same appearance which is blue, smooth and still all the time. Ha Long holds its own beauty by seasons. In Spring, buds of trees burst on limestone islands creating a lively landscape. In Summer, the sea is cool and clean with numerous sparkling sun rays reflecting from the sea’s surface, showing an intense beauty of summer. The graceful appearance of Ha Long is in Autumn when moonlight illuminates the mountains so they appear like gold, inlaid into the earth. The pervasive frost in winter makes Ha Long glamorous as mystical paradise on sea.
Today visitors travelling to Ha Long are not only impressed by the spectacular sight itself but the services received as well. Cruises may be in different styles, but they share one thing in common: Offer their guests the best experience in Ha Long then bring home wonderful memories about Vietnam and Vietnam tourism.

MUST-SEE SITES IN HA LONG BAY:
Besides cruising on boat watching the marvelous beauty of the sea and stones, you are welcome to many great destinations on bigger islands.

1. Cat Ba Island:
With excellent beaches, a variety of fauna and flora in Cat Ba National Park and so many splendid places, Cat Ba island is undoubtedly the most popular destination when coming to Ha Long Bay. The white-sand Cat Ba Beaches offers a brilliant place to lounge around for a day and also simple accommodations for camping. If you are not a beach person, the Monkey island and Cat Ba National Park must be the most suitable for you. Just 1.5 miles from Cat Ba Town, Monkey island is home for about 20 monkeys, very friendly with humans. Visitors can play and have fun with those lovely monkeys and watch them in their own natural habitat. Besides, you really should visit Cat Ba National park which is well-known for its abundant ecosystems including more than 2.000 species and also the endangered ones. There are so many wonderful lakes, harbours located on Cat Ba Island waiting for travelers from all over the world to discover and enjoy.

2. Dau Go Cave:
Found on the same name island, Dau Go Cave is the biggest and perhaps the most beautiful grotto in Ha Long bay .Entering the cave, tourists will discover a magnificent world of stalactites and stalagmites. After a long period of karst process, they appear in various sizes and shapes, look like lively statues, reliefs about nature and people on Halong Bay. These masterpieces of Mother Nature will certainly impress visitors coming to Halong, especially when accommodated with mysterious light.
3. Sung Sot Cave :
With the name meaning “Surprise”, what Sung Sot cave brings to visitors is exactly similar to its interesting name. The cave has three compartments and high ceiling with lots of stalactites in numerous shapes. There is a big stone in the shape of a horse and a long sword next to the entrance. There is an ancient legend, which is said that, after defeating the enemy An from the North, Thanh Giong flied to Heaven, leaving his sword and horse to reassure local people and dislodge demons. These days, inside the cave, people see many natural images as the marks of that fierce battle. The trail of his horse became many little lakes and smashed rocks.

4. Pelican Cave-Bo Nau Cave:
Bo Nau Cave (Pelican Cave) is located on the southwestern Halong Bay, about 13 kilometers far from Bai Chay Tourist Wharf and 2-3 kilometers to the southeast of Trong Mai Islet.
The mouth of Bo Nau Cave is quite wide with the size of 5-7 meters. It’s in the shape of arch and has many stalactites falling down from the ceiling. From the cave, tourists will get a unique view of Halong Bay that seems like standing in the monster’s mouth with sharp teeth and seeing magnificent scenery outside. Visitors often take photos of this cave because of its spectacular stalactites.

5. Thien Cung Cave
Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace Cave) is situated in the southwest of Ha Long Bay, 4 km away from Dau Go Island. The cave is 10,000 square meters with complicated interior structure, several floors, and high ceiling. The cave is favored with a unique system of stalactites and stalagmites with different forms and shapes.
It is not easy to explore Thien Cung Cave’s craggy cliffs. Passing through a narrow entrance, you would be surprised with an absolutely opposed space inside the cave that the further you walk, the more stunning stalactites you can catch. Displaying on the wall of the eastern side of the cave is an impressive picture of stalactites and stalagmites giving tourists the most fantastic feeling ever. The travel guide would never forget to tell you legends or folk tales interpreted from the picture by the local Halong people.
Above your head, on the ceiling of Thien Cung Cave, amazing rows of stalagmites drooping through million years that create colorful pictures and melodies thanks to the light and the wind flowing inside the cave.
Leaving the cave, tourist would feel a lingering sensation like just finishing a tour to a massive art museum created by the Mother Nature.

TOP RECOMMENDED CRUISES:

1. Dragon Legend Cruise:
Provided by Indochina Junk, the 5 star Dragon Legend ship provides a luxury atmosphere and excellent services reaching top standards. “All the design features, itinerary and activities on board are customer oriented. The goal of the Dragon Legend cruise is to bring you another truly exceptional cruise experience of the greater Ha Long Bay area.”
Website: dragonlegendcruise.com

2. Paradise Cruise:
The luxury cruise offers 17 boutique cabins with a classic wooden interior, 5 star facilities with professional and Friendly crew. Tourists have an expansive sundeck exhibiting the best views of Halong Bay twinned with relaxing places in which to unwind.
Website: paradisecruises.vn

3. Halong Phoenix Cruise:
Halong Phoenix Luxury Cruiser offers 2 or 3-day itineraries on board a wooden junk cruise and also a variety of activities such as Sailing, kayaking, squid fishing, karaoke and morning Tai Chi sessions. Decorated in a modern style, all the non-smoking air-conditioned rooms and suites are equipped with a personal safe, minibar and complimentary bottled water. With helpful staffs and the excellent cruise itself, guests will be satisfied with their experience in Ha Long.
Website: halongphoenixcruiser.com

4.Huong Hai Sealife Cruise
Amazing cruise to discover the mystery of Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam By Huong Hai Sealife Cruise. The Huong Hai Sealife Vessel with modern luxury facilities offers an overnight cruise with comfortable accommodation and professional service.
Website: huonghaihalong.com

5. A-Class Cruise
Being with Aclass cruise you will experience the serene magic of world famous Halong Bay on a boat built in traditional and elegant style.With 12 spacious cabins, tastefully furnished, its topside bar, a gourmet restaurant and a relaxed sundeck in fresh air, not to mention extraordinary levels of service, Halong Aclass cruise offers you service with style.
Website: aclasscruises.com