With the meaning “Bay of the Descending Dragon”, Halong Bay is compared to a lively giant aquarelle with about 2.000 large and small islands, most of them are limestone islands. Inside these islands are stunning caves referred to as natural castles on the earth such as Thien Cung grotto, Dau Go cave, Sung Sot grotto, Trinh Nu cave, Tam Cung grotto…
In Halong, tourists may cruise around the bay to admire the fog rolling over spectacular mountains and clear water reflecting image of the islands in the distance… Moreover, the tourists will see floating houses of the locals with the boats running up and down the bay. All of these activities will certainly delight the tourists.
The first not to be-missed destination in your trip is Tuan Chau island, the most popular tourist area in the North as well as the most beautiful island out of 1.969 islands in Halong Bay. In addition, this is also the only island on which inhabitants live. Tuan Chau is well-known for the largest artificial beach of Vietnam.
Visitors could play on the 4 km flat Tra Co beach or join water sport games such a: volley ball, football, surfing, jet skiing, water skiing…. Especially, tourists will be able to enjoy delicious dishes at Vietnamese cuisine garden which was built in Vietnamese palatial architecture in the 17th and 18th century.
Halong has a huge system of caves and grotto. Each cave is specifically beautiful and attached with a story. Tourists could visit Luon cave located on Bo Hon island, 14 km from Bai Chay to contemplate miraculous stalactites in different shapes and sizes.
If you are interested in spiritual tourism, visit Yen Tu relics area. This is a complex of pagodas, hermitages, towers and ancient trees scattered from Do ramp to Yen Tu mountain. Yen Tu’s beauty is majestic mountains with system of ancient hermitages, towers and large trees growing along the trail.
In the evening, tourists can go to night market in Bai Chay to pick up local products as gift for relatives or enjoy the dishes. From 9 pm, the market gets bustling and crowded with buyers. If you would like to admire the city by night, go to Bai Chay over bridge. On the contrary, if you want to view the bridge, you may go to the desert wharf to enjoy a cup of coffee, contemplate the sea and city at night.
Aside from a big system of caves and grottoes, Halong also owns plenty of wonderful relics and landscapes for your exploration. It is for sure that you will have many unforgettable memories when travelling to Halong Bay.