Covering an area of 43,400 ha and including over 1600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited and unaffected by humans, Ha Long Bay forms a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars and is an ideal model of a mature Karst landscape developed during a warm and wet tropical climate.
Ha Long Bay
It located in the Gulf of Tonkin, within Quang Ninh Province, in the northeast of Vietnam, is165 km from the capital of Hanoi. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence.
A Beautiful Bay
The property’s exceptional scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest. The outstanding value of the property is centered round the drowned limestone karst landforms, displaying spectacular pillars with a variety of coastal erosional features such as arches and caves which form majestic natural scenery. The repeated regression and transgression of the sea on the limestone karst over geological time has produced a mature landscape of clusters of conical peaks and isolated towers which were modified by sea invasion, adding an extra element to the process of lateral undercutting of the limestone towers and islands.
Limestone Islets
Comprised of a multitude of limestone islands and islets rising from the sea, in a variety of sizes and shapes and presenting picturesque, unspoiled nature, Ha Long Bay is a spectacular seascape sculpted by nature. The property retains a high level of naturalness, and despite its long history of human use, is not seriously degraded. Outstanding features of the property include the magnificent towering limestone pillars and associated notches, arches and caves, which are exceptionally well-developed and among the best presented of their type in the world. As the most extensive and best known example of marine-invaded tower karst in the world, Ha Long Bay is one of the world’s most important areas of Fengcong (clusters of conical peaks) and Fenglin (isolated tower features) karst. Abundant lakes, occupying drowned dolines, are one of the distinctive features of the Fencong karst, with some appearing to be tidal.
Limestone Cave
Possessing a tremendous diversity of caves and other landforms derived from the unusual geomorphological process of marine invaded tower karst, the caves are of three main types: remnants of phreatic caves, old karstic foot caves and marine notch caves. The property also displays the full range of karst formation processes on a very large scale and over a very long period of geological time, possessing the most complete and extensive example of its type in the world and providing a unique and extensive reservoir of data for the future understanding of geo-climatic history and the nature of karst processes in a complex environment.
Differential Geometry
All elements necessary to sufficiently protect the outstanding scenic and geological values of the Ha Long Bay property are included within the boundaries of the property and its size and area provide sufficient integrity for the large scale geomorphological processes to operate unhindered. It benefits from being completely surrounded by a large and extensive buffer zone with both the size and area providing sufficient integrity for the large scale geomorphic processes to operate unhindered.
Ha Long Bay at Sunset
Located within an area of high tourism, marine transport, fisheries and the daily activities of people living and conducting their business on Ha Long Bay, management of the area, instituted since inscription of the property, applies strict regulation and control of activities in an attempt to minimize impacts on the integrity of the property. There is a continuing challenge to improve the integrity and quality of the environment.
Grotto in Ha Long
The natural scenic features, geomorphology, landform values and cultural heritage along with key features such as islands, caves and grottoes remain intact and the property retain a high level of naturalness despite the long history of human use in the area. The best part to see in ha long bay was just a new and not-yet developed one. That is easy to the tourist to visit and have a stay. Socio-economic activities on Ha Long Bay are well regulated, carefully observed and effectively managed. Management and protection are further strengthened through regulations, master planning, and action plans at the provincial level.
6 reasons to visit Ha Long Bay
First of all, when it comes to scenery, Ha Long Bay can just be described as a “wow” – a surprise. Known for its thousands of rocks and caves emerging out of emerald water, Ha Long Bay has won numerous world recognitions as well as charmed millions of visitors throughout the years. As you slowly explore the Bay, you will go from one surprise to another.
Fishing Village
Secondly, in Vietnam, culture is something that is always there to impress you, and Ha Long Bay is no exception. Taking a trip to Ha Long Bay and you will feel a part of Vietnamese's Northern coastal life which is significantly different from it is in the center and the south. Some make a living on the floating villages - others serve delicious fresh seafood which they just caught from the sea.
Cruise Tour
Thirdly, it is not exaggerating to say that cruise tours make an important feature of Ha Long Bay. Each cruise and junk has a different itinerary that takes one to visit caves and helps one experience local life on water. These cruise tours often include transfer from Hanoi to the Bay, food on board and a knowledgeable tour guide who will assist you thoroughly on your trip. Lodging varies in style and quality from inexpensive, party-style to extremely luxury ones.
Ha Long Seafood
Fourthly, Ha Long is famous for its seafood: crabs, prawns, sea clams among strange native specialties. If you stay in one of the hotels on land, make sure you visit one of the restaurants in town to experience authentic Ha Long Bay Cuisines.
Money Saving
Fifthly, Ha Long Bay can be said to be one of the best places to travel in Southeast Asia, especially in terms of value-for-money. Whatever budget you spare for your trip, you will get more than what you have expected. This is thanks to the low hotel costs and excellently organized cruise tours.
New Experience
Finally, it is the unique experience that you have in Ha Long Bay that counts the most. Visitors will have a chance to be woken up in the beautiful sunrise amid the rocks, islets and caves. Some will remember their cave dinner for a lifetime while others enjoy the breathtaking view from a mountain top that gives a bird-eye view of the Bay. All of these second-to-none moments are awaiting visitors in Ha Long Bay.
What to do
Cruise Trips
Cruise Trip
Being recognized as a Natural Wonder of the World by the UNESCO, Ha Long Bay is one of the most tempting destinations in Vietnam for travelers who love discovering nature. One of the best ways to explore this world wonder is a cruise trip through rock islands, caves and spectacular beaches. Normally a cruise trip lasts about 2 or 3 days. A popular itinerary of a 2-day cruise tour starts in the morning in Hanoi where shuttle buses from your selected cruises pick you up and bring you to Ha Long Bay. After you are on the boat and check in, lunch are served with Vietnamese specialties while the junks initiate its trip to Sung Sot Cave.
On Board
This is one of the most magnificent and visited grottos in Ha Long Bay, where you are mesmerized by spectacular beauty of limestone in different shapes. After the visit is time spending at Ti Top Beach, where you have relaxing moments swimming, doing kayaking or taking a nap on its white sandbank before having dinner onboard. There are not many activities at night, with only going to the bar on sundeck, movies or music, or night fishing. The trip continues with visit to other destinations in the bay like Trong Islands or floating villages before returning to the pier and heading back to Hanoi on shuttle bus. There are dozens of cruises in Ha Long Bay, which are designed differently to serve all types and demands of travelers as well as size of the tourist groups. You can also select cruise based on their level of superiority and quality of services.
Visit Ha Long Bay by Helicopter
Helicopter
Ha Long bay is famous for its beautiful caves and limestone karsts attracting thousands of tourists all over the world. There is no better way to see the aerial view of the bay than from a helicopter. Cruising will give you a chance to gaze at the horizon, but the view might not be appealing since there are too many karsts and islands in the bay. A 2-way trip from Hanoi to Ha Long, visiting Ha Long Bay, will be an unforgettable experience. Helicopter service has been in operation since 2008. You can choose it to be a 1-way or 2-way trip. The helicopter is model EC-130 B4, which is a light weight versatile helicopter produced by Eurocopter company. It can carry up to 7 passengers for tourism purpose, rescue mission, and geological survey. Moreover, the helicopter can be booked for special uses such as wedding and family travel. As it takes you to Ha Long Bay, the helicopter will hover 300m above water level, making a 30km in diameter close loop flight within the area, covering places like Tuan Chau Island, Dau Go Cave, and so on.
Dining in a Cave
Dining in a Cave
Coming to Ha Long Bay, you should never miss a unique activity, dining in a cave. There are few cruises offering this feature on their trips. The crew members will prepare a delightful diner in a cave. In some cruises, this activity is already included. In some others, this is an optional extra-paid activity. After a long day of swimming, kayaking, and many other activities, nothing beats a chill moment to relax. Most other cruises prefer to have an ordinary dinner in a cave. The idea of letting tourists have an amazing dinner in a cave has been receiving many praises from the customers.
Romantic Dinner
Most tourists used this dinner for special occasions like a birthday party, a romantic dinner, conference group, or a small wedding with less than 60 guests. They have fresh Ha Long Bay Seafood along with Western Cuisine and Eastern Cuisine for those who want a change from all the seafood they have been having in Ha Long. This dinner will be one of the best dinners you ever have and the Ha Long trip will be stay as a wonderful journey in your memory. If you are coming to Ha Long Bay, it would be such a waste not trying this feature out.
Swimming and Kayaking
Swimming
Ha Long Bay is said to be one of the best place to swim in Vietnam with numerous beaches. The bay is not only an ideal place for sunbathing with dazzling sunlight, but also a beautiful beach with calm tides, clean, and green water. It would be even much more enjoyable if you have a chance to swim far away from the beach, maybe diving from a cruise, because the water there is much more transparent.
Kayaking
If you are an adventure lover, kayaking should be your choice. It is a kind of paddling, using a kayak to move across water. With thousands islands and isles, calm tides, clean, and emerald green water, Ha Long Bay is ideal for the activity. Most cruises in Ha Long Bay offer kayaking. Kayaking will make your Ha Long trip more interesting.
Shopping
Night Market
Shopping is an essential part for any tourists. From shopping, tourists can learn more about culture and society of place that they visit, as well as bring home some nice souvenirs for their friends or family. There are several locations for tourists to purchase excellent souvenirs, but tourists should be aware of some issues that might negatively influence their shopping time here. One of the most serious problems in not only Ha Long City but also in various tourism spots in Vietnam is related to the price of products, or the way that sellers set prices for their goods. If tourists spend time on shopping places in this city, particularly at markets where prices have no apparent range and standard, they are usually ask for higher price for actual price of the products. Therefore, suggestion to tourists is to carefully research about average price range of products that they desire to purchase before so as not to be charged by high price.
Shopping in Ha Long
Tourists should bargain for a better price if they think the product is overpriced. However, tourists should not bargain in supermarkets or shopping centers, where prices are already set. Another issue that tourists should be aware of is fake products. Ha Long City is located in Quang Ning Province, where has border with China. Therefore, fake products from China are bought frequently by local sellers to earn more profit. Therefore, tourists are recommended to check the quality and origin of products thoroughly before purchasing, as well as shop at ensured places such as shopping mall or authorized shops.
What to eat
Ngan
Ngan is a mollusk species which is popular in the Northern Vietnam coastal area. Although it can be seen along the coast of the country, Quang Ninh Province, Ha Long City is where this seafood gets its fame. This special sea animal has a similar shape to clam, one of its more popular relative but it is usually a little bigger than clam and also has rougher shells. While in the water, Ngan uses its one and only tentacle to crawling around, breathing, and seeking for foods. During the season of Ngan, fishermen living in the bay have to wade deep into the mud in attempt to hook up this rare sea animal. In Vietnamese, the word “Ngan” literally mean “bored” but if you have a chance to have just one bite of it, the deliciousness of Ngan would stay in your mouth for the rest of your life.
Ngan Wine
Amongst all dishes made from Ngan, the most favorite and famous one is Ngan wine which is made by opening the shells of Ngan then letting its blood flow directly into the strong liquor. If you worry about the fishy smell of fresh blood, fear not, because it can be boiled before serve. Ngan blood wine is most preferable by male gourmet thanks to its miracle effect of improving male sexual ability. Besides, Ngan is best enjoyed when grilled or steamed. While it is being steamed, the chief usually tie up its shells in order not to waste the juice and the blood inside, which are the most nutritious parts.
Ngan Dish
Grilled and steamed Ngan both have salty taste at the beginning then turning into sweet taste of seafood and this deliciousness stays in your mouth till the next time you taste. Ngan porridge is an excellent choice for breakfast or for a happy ending for your lunch or dinner in Ha Long. With just only two to three pieces of Ngan, your bowl of porridge would become more alluring than ever. Visiting Ha Long, you may have many more chances to taste other attractive variables of dishes from Ngan like Ngan sushi, Ngan salad, Ngan soup, deep fried Ngan with vegetables, etc. You should not miss the chance to feast on this unique seafood when you come to Ha Long Bay.
Ha Long Snails and Prawns
Snails in Ha Long
Favored by the Mother of Nature as an unbelievably beautiful coastal province, Ha Long is not only proud for being one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, but also one of the most famous destinations for high quality seafood. Visiting any random snail restaurant in Ha Long, gourmets might be surprised with a very long list of different exotic snails there. Each species possesses distinctive appearance and a very distinctive flavor. Coming to Ha Long Bay without trying these dishes is just a big waste. With the diversity of Ha Long’s snail, remembering all the names takes forever, not to mention their distinguish appearances, let’s only list some popular dishes such as oc huong, oc dia, oc gai to, oc van, oc mut, and oc len.
Oc Huong
All you can do is being an adventurous traveler, trying a random dish that catches your eyes or going with a local, who can show you the difference among the oc. Although Ha Long chefs have a similar recipe to mix dipping sauce for almost every snail dishes, including fish sauce, rice vinegar, chili, sugar and ginger, you may still feel clear differences if you taste different dishes. Eating snails in Ha Long, gourmets may have to use a local tool, a very strange long pin, to hook the snail out from its shell. It is said that Ha Long snails always lie deep inside its shells, unlike snails living in other provinces in the Northern Vietnam. Using this tool properly will help you conquer any Ha Long snails. However, you can eat some species of snail without using any tool, just by sucking or bumping the snail onto your dish.
Prawns
Among all, the most popular seafood that appears in almost every meal in Ha Long is prawn. Ha Long Bay fishermen are blessed with many kinds of prawn, lobster, white pearl shrimp, or tiger shrimp. However, the rarest, most valuable, and most delicious are prawn and lobster. In Ha Long, people make full use of lobster by using its shell as a decorating ornament, which are now available widely at any souvenir shops in Ha Long. There are two popular methods of prawn processing in Ha Long, steaming and breaded frying. However, steamed prawn is more preferable because people love to enjoy the natural taste it provides.
Shrimp Cake in Ha Long
During the steaming, chefs have to hook up the prawns very carefully in order not to break its small claws, in combination with using additional ingredients like beer or tubers lemongrass to remove its fishy smell. Vietnamese believe that the prawn head is the most nutritious part of the prawn. Additional ingredients to eat with prawn such as steamed onion, herbal leaves, salt and pepper/chili would give an interesting taste of the dish. Prawns in Ha Long, one of the most delicious and nutritious Vietnamese, is usually decorated subtly on luxuries party tables.
Western Food
Similar to any other famous tourism cities in the world, besides its delicious local specialties, Ha Long has a wide range of Western cuisine dishes to serve the increasing demand from international passengers. Although there are not so many specialized restaurants for Western cuisine like in Hanoi or Hochiminh City, you might find it easy to get your favorite food at most of the high-end restaurants and hotels in Ha Long. For any good meal, appetizers are very important. Luxury restaurants in Ha Long set high priority on the appetizers menu with authentic Western cuisine like Italian ham salad, salmon and squid salad, fried rice ball, or vegetable salad and fried potato. Pizza and pasta are the quintessence of Italian gastronomy that haven been loved by people all over the world. In Ha Long, these dishes are no doubt popular in any high-end restaurant or hotel at reasonable prices. To be fair, the quality of pizza and pasta here cannot be compared with that in foreign countries or other bigger cities where they have been served for decades. However, they still have their own charm with basic recipes. Additionally, main dishes would be perfect with rosemary baked chicken with olive oil, herbal leaves, and garlic, or steak with fried vegetables and potato, or chicken thigh fillets with marinara sauce. The last element for a perfect meal is desserts. High-end restaurants in Ha Long always have on their menu your familiar dessert: ice-creams, tiramisu, and gateaux.
In summary, Ha Long Bay possesses a tremendous diversity of caves and other landforms which derive from the unusual geomorphological process of marine invaded tower karst. These areas provide a unique and extensive reservoir of data for the future understanding of geoclimatic history and the nature of karst processes in a complex environment.overing an area of 43,400 ha and including over 1600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited and unaffected by humans, Ha Long Bay forms a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars and is an ideal model of a mature Karst landscape developed during a warm and wet tropical climate.
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