Location: Ha Long Bay is located in the northeastern part of Viet Nam and constitutes part of the western bank of Bac Bo Gulf, including the sea area of Ha Long City, Cam Pha City and part of Van Don Island District, Quang Ninh Province.
Characteristics: UNESCO recognized it as the World Natural Heritage two times.
Ha Long Bay encompasses 1,969 islands of various sizes which are concentrated in two main zones: the south-east (belonging to Bai Tu Long Bay) and the south-west (belonging to Ha Long Bay). The bay has been first recognized as World Natural Heritage since 1994 by UNESCO for the natural beauty, and for the second time for its geographical and geomorphologic values since 2000.
◊ Natural Beauty
Ha Long Bay covers a total area of 1,553km², including 1,969 islands of various sizes, 989 of which have been given names. There are two kinds, limestone and schist. The average geological age of the islands is between 250 and 280 million years old.
Ha Long Bay has been called by the great national poet Nguyen Trai: "a marvel of the earth erected towards the high skies". While exploring the bay, tourists will feel lost in a legendary world of stone islands which shapes change depending on the angle and the light. There are many names given to islands according to their shapes and forms such as Hon Dau Nguoi (Human Head Islet), Hon Rong (Dragon Islet), Hon Canh Buom (Sail Islet), Hon Trong Mai (Cock and Hen Islet)… But the beauty of Halong Bay does not consist only in the forms of its mountains, islands and the colour of its waters, but also in its infinitely rich system of grottoes and caves such as: Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace Grotto), Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto), Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), Tam Cung (Three Palace Grotto), Trinh Nu (Virgin Grotto)... Each is a grandiose and refined natural architectural creation.
◊ Geological Value
The most remarkable geological events of Ha Long Bay’s history in the last 1,000 years include the advance of the sea, the raising of the bay area and the strong erosion that has formed coral and pure blue and heavily-salted water. This process of erosion by sea water has deeply engraved the stone, contributing to its fantastic beauty. Present-day Ha Long Bay is the result of this long process of geological evolution that has been influenced by so many factors. It is because of all these factors that the tourists now visiting Ha Long Bay are not only treated to one of the true wonders of the world, but also to a precious geological museum that has been naturally preserved in the open air for the last 300 million years.
◊ Biodiversity
Results of scientific research show that Ha Long Bay features ecosystems of a tropical ocean region such as ecosystem of coral reefs with 232 species of coral distributed mainly in the areas of Cong Do and Bo Hung. It is also home to 81 species of gastropoda, 130 species of bivalvia, 55 species of polycheta and 57 species of crab. The ecosystem of salt water-flooded forests chiefly concentrated in the zones of Tuan Chau, Cua Luc and Ba Che has the most diversified collection of species of salt water-flooded plant in North Viet Nam. Also living in this ecosystem are a great many species of animals: migrating birds (200 species), polycheta (169 species), seaweed (91 species), reptile (10 species). Ha Long Bay also has ecosystem of tropical rain forests with various rare and precious creatures: deer, weasels, squirrels and in particular, white-tabby and red-haired monkeys. In addition, there is a system of small caves along the sea, which are the living and development places for many animals and plants: seaweed, water plant, algae, fish and shrimp. Deeper into the water, there are also many species of shrimp, fish, abalone and other sea-specialities.
◊ Historical and Cultural Value
Ha Long is a place closely linked to Viet Nam’s history with such famous geographical names as: Van Don (site of an ancient commercial port); Poem Mountain (with engravings of many poems by emperors and other famous people of the past); and Bach Dang River (the location of two fierce naval battles fought against foreign aggressors). This is not all, Ha Long has been proven by scientists to be one of the first cradles of human existence in the area, with such archaeological sites as Dong Mang, Xich Tho, Soi Nhu and Thoi Gieng…
◊ A Two Time Recognized by UNESCO as World Natural Heritage Site
On December 17, 1994, Ha Long Bay was recognised as world natural heritage for its natural beauty at the 18th meeting of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in Thailand. On December 12, 2000, Ha Long Bay was recognised as world natural heritage for the second time based on its geological value at the 24th meeting of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in Cairns, Australia. The recognised site covers an area of 434km², comprises 775 islands and forms a triangle: with Dau Go Island (Driftwood Grotto) to the west; Ba Ham Lake (Three Shelter Lake) to the south and Cong Tay Island to the east.
Ha Long Bay was also listed as one of new seven nature wonders of the world by New7Wonders Organization in 2011.
The visitors exploring Ha Long Bay are treated to one of the true wonders of the world, enjoy interesting experience with kayaking, and take an overnight cruise on a tradition junk around the bay. There are many cruise tours with daily departure from Hanoi, with different amenities and itineraries. In general, there are a total of 3 cruise piers: cruises that set sail from Tuan Chau Pier visit the most classic part of Halong Bay, cruises that set sail from Hon Gai visit Bai Tu Long Bay, and cruises that depart from Hai Phong (Dinh Vu or Got pier) travel around Lan Ha Bay. Although differing by names, the latter two destinations still belong to the grand landscape of this world's wonder. Because of the increasing popularity of the three bays among travellers from around the world, there is a wide range of cruises available these days. One of them is Orchid Cruise Halong Bay, a 5-star cruise which gives its customers a chance to enjoy the less travelled routes and discover the most beautiful, untouched parts of Ha Long and the other bays. With 14 luxury cabins and highly professional crew, it’s no wonder that Orchid Cruise is among the most recommended cruises out there.
Quang Ninh
Add: Ly Tu Trong St., Mong Cai Town
Tel: (84-203) 8830 11
Add: Huu Nghi St., Mong Cai Town
Tel: (84-203) 8811 85/ 8810 14/ 8825 92
Add: Ha Long Commune, Van Don Dist.
Tel: (84-203) 3793 156/ 3793 674
Add: Quan Lan Commune, Van Don Dist.
Tel: (84-203) 3877 471/ 3877 469
Add: A13, Block 1, Dong Hung Thang Zone, Bai Chay Ward, Halong City
Tel: (84-203) 6269 999
Add: Zone 5, Cai Rong Town, Van Don Dist.
Tel: (84-203) 3874 265
Add: 88 Vuon Dao St., Bai Chay, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 256
Add: Dong Hung Thang St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3511 098
Add: 7 Block 20 Dong Hung Thang Zone, Bai Chay Ward, Halong City
Tel: (84-203) 3812 468
Add: Zone 8, Cai Rong Town, Van Don Dist.
Tel: (84-203) 3874 126
Add: Tran Khanh Du Ward, Quang Yen, Yen Hung Dist.
Tel: (84-203) 3875 104
Add: Ha Long Road, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3848 108
Add: 1 Block 20 Dong Hung Thang Zone, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3619 819
Tel: (84-203) 3874 113
Add: Tran Phu St., Mong Cai City
Tel: (84-203) 3881 002
Add: 8, 24 Thang 5 St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3618 606
Tel: (84-203) 3874 435
Add: Tien Yen Town, Tien Yen Dist.
Tel: (84-203) 3876 210
Add: Tuan Chau Island, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3815 088
Tel: (84-203) 3874 316
Add: Ha Long St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3845 845
Add: Bai Chay Rd., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3845 142
Add: 15 - 17 Vuon Dao St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 504
Add: Dong Hung Thang Tourist Site, Ha Long St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 809
Tel: (84-203) 3846 145
Add: 21 Le Quy Don, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3827 099
Add: 35 Ben Tau St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3828 951
Add: Yen Tu's telpher station, Uong Bi City
Tel: (84-203) 3661 027
Tel: (84-203) 3847 591
Add: 7 Tran Phu St., Cam Pha City
Tel: (84-203) 3862 467
Add: Tra Co Beach, Mong Cai City
Tel: (84-203) 3883 081
Add: Khu 8, Cai Rong Townlet, Van Don Dist.
Tel: (84-203) 3874 256
Add: Bai Chay St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3847 037
Add: Bai Chay Tourist Centre, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3846 780
Add: 8 Le Thanh Tong St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3825 112
Add: Group 6, Yet Kieu Ward, Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 6293 666
Add: 98 Ben tau Hon Gai St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3811 279
Add: 6A Le Thanh Tong St., Ha Long City
Tel: (84-203) 3656 339