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Halong Bay Heavenly Castles
on Earth
Halong Bay is the jewel in the crown of Vietnam’s travel
destinations. One hundred and seventy kilometers from
Hanoi, in
northeastern Vietnam, Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and
undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth. The bay is a
magical blend of land and sea with thousands of limestone islands
and islets in a myriad of shapes and sizes.
The shapes are as varied as the sizes and many of the islands have
been given names, derived from their shapes, such as Voi Island
(Elephant), Ga Choi Island (Fighting Cock), Qua Chuong Island (Bell)
and Mai Nha Island (Roof); incredibly 989 of the islands have been
given names. Numerous islands contain caves and grottos, some hidden
away for millions of years, but now accessible to explore and marvel
at their immensity and spectacular displays of stalactites and
stalagmites.
The bay is bordered on the south and southeast by the Gulf of
Tonkin, on the north by China and on the west and southwest by Cát
Bà Island and encompasses an immense area of 1553 square kilometers.
According to local legend, long ago when the Vietnamese people were
fighting foreign invaders, the Gods sent a family of dragons to help
them defend the land. The dragons spat out jewels and jade, which
transformed into the islands and islets dotting the bay. Their
miraculous handiwork formed a great wall blocking the invaders path.
With the invaders repelled and the people safe again, the family of
dragons became interested in more peaceful endeavors and decided to
stay to enjoy their stunning creation. Hence the name
Ha Long (Ha:
descending, Long: dragon). The island where the dragon children
attended to their mother was named Bai Tu Long (Bai: attend to, Tu:
children, Long: dragon) and the place where the dragon children
wriggled their tails as they frolicked in the sea was called Bach
Long Vi (Bach: white – the color of the foam from the wriggling
tails, Long: dragon, Vy: tail).
Whether or not you are a believer of legends you will be lulled into
a sense of peace and contentment by the magical and surrealistic
seascape of Halong Bay.
The tranquil emerald green waters and the captivating vistas of the
seemingly countless jutting limestone mountainous islands will
soothe the soul and stimulate the senses. Few places in the world
offer a more breath-taking glimpse of the awesome creativity of
Mother Nature.
The Halong Bay World Heritage Site is universally recognized for the
significance of its exceptional geology and distinctive
biodiversity, and the rich culture of the local people adds to the
charm and enchantment of cruising the bay.
Halong Bay cruises have been a fovourite pastime for the Vietnamese
for centuries. Now it’s your turn. What better way to enjoy this
unrivalled destination than aboard a
Prince Cruise.
Vote for Halong Bay to be one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
Vote
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