It is impossible to imagine or describe in words what an impression Halong Bay makes. This is an amazing natural treasure shrouded in secrets. Each islet is unique, caves and grottoes are picturesque in their own way, and flora and fauna add more color to the surrounding area. And although the Vietnamese government is not particularly trying to improve this resort area, there are countless tourists in the favorable season for recreation.
Halong Bay and its geographic features
Few people know where the interesting bay is and how to get to these virtually uninhabited places on your own. The islands, which are part of the harbor, belong to Vietnam. They are located in the South China Sea, in the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong Bay is understood as a cluster of almost three thousand islands, caves, rocks and reefs. Most of them do not even have definite names, and, probably, there are still areas of land that have not been stepped on by humans.
The accumulation of thousands of small plots of land among the sea surface occupies no more than 1,500 square kilometers, so from different angles you can see unusual landscapes formed by layers of limestone and shale. Most of the surface is covered with various plants. A third of this area is allocated to a national park, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1994.
If you want to visit these places, you should give preference to a quieter time of the year. The climate here is tropical, so the weather may not change significantly from month to month. There are two main seasons: winter and summer. In winter, from October to May, there is a low temperature, about 15-20 degrees, and cool dry air. Summer is longer and more favorable for rest, although it often rains during this period, but mostly at night. It is not recommended to visit the bay from August to October, as typhoons are not uncommon during these months.
We recommend reading about the Mariana Trench.
Where and how best to rest
Halong Bay is very popular with tourists, although this recreational area is not being developed adequately by the authorities. There is practically no civilization here, and only a few islands can boast of the availability of places for living, food and entertainment. To enjoy your vacation to the fullest, it is better to go to Tuanchau, where you can soak up the beaches, take a massage course, and rent diving equipment.
Tourists also praise other places, for example:
Truth and fiction about the history of Halong Bay
Many unusual stories are associated with the wonderful world of the islands of the South China Sea. Some of them are documented, others are retold as fascinating legends. Each local resident will tell the story of the origin of the bay, connected with a dragon living in local waters. It is believed that he lived in the mountains that used to be on the site of the archipelago. When the dragon descended from the peaks, with its powerful tail, it divided the land into small parts that turned into rocks, cliffs and small hilly areas. The water quickly flooded everything around, giving rise to a picturesque bay. Halong means "where the dragon descended into the sea."
However, one cannot say with certainty that there has never been a dragon in these waters. There are sailors' tales of a mystical inhabitant of Halong Bay, whose dimensions are frighteningly large. According to various descriptions, it looks like a giant eel, from time to time peeking out of the water, but it was not possible to capture it in the photo. Similar messages appeared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but since 1908, no one else has managed to meet the mysterious inhabitant of the depths.
Since the bay is a cluster of thousands of islands, it is the perfect place to hide. It was for these purposes that it was often used in different historical eras. The ancient tribes preferred to hide among uninhabited islands from raids from enemies. Later, pirate ships often moored to local shores. Even during the Vietnam War, the guerrilla forces successfully carried out their operations, localizing forces in Halong Bay. And today you can retire here on the beaches, because many of them are not included in sightseeing tours, despite their attractive landscapes.
