Halong Bay
The colonial French first opened up Halong Bay to tourism, and it remains an indisputed highlight of any visit to Vietnam. You may have to share the beautiful karst scenery with a few more fellow visitors than the first tourists did, but the majesty of this unique seascape remains undiminished.
“When I visited Halong Bay I was blown away by the scale and beauty of the whole area - the calm waters and islets seem to just go on and on. If you can spare the time to extend to a two-night cruise I'd whole-heartedly urge you to so, you'll savour every minute!”
Paul O'Brien, Sales Team Leader
Halong Bay lives up to its reputation as one of the world's most unique and beautiful locations. Steeped in legend, the islets and limestone formations found in these tranquil waters are staggeringly beautiful. Halong translates as 'where the dragon descends into the sea' and locals tell a tale of how the bay was formed. Myth has it that the islands were created long ago when a celestial dragon and her children were sent to Earth to fend off invaders. As the mother dragon protected the land she breathed out a thousand beautiful pearls which turned into a wall of islands to protect the mainland. As the baby dragons followed their mother and ran into the sea, their thrashing and flailing tails gouged out valleys in the earth and the final pinnacles were created. The dragons then plunged into the sea leaving the still waters lapping at the newly formed islands.
There are many cruise companies that offer day trips or overnight excursions through this wonderful scenery, and where possible we recommend those that take a slightly less-visited route into quieter corners or the bay or visiting the adjacent Bai Tu Long Bay, which is less developed but every bit as spectacular.
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380
Recommended Accommodation in Halong Bay
The following are our favourites from among the western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns of Halong Bay.
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380