Explore Ha Long, the land of 'descending dragons'

17/09/2019

Tour guide Pham Huy Trung's photographs offer a glimpse of the unique charm of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO natural heritage site in northern Vietnam.

 

At around 3 a.m. fishing boats gather at a wharf near Hon Gai seafood market near Bai Chay Bridge after a long night out at sea.The wholesale market is open from early morning until 10 a.m., but its busiest time is between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. when traders rush to buy the freshest fish.

At around 3 a.m. fishing boats gather at a wharf in Ha Long Bay, adjacent to Hon Gai seafood market, after a long night out at sea. The wholesale market is open from early morning until 10 a.m., but its busiest time is between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. when traders rush to buy the freshest fish.

Rocky islets amid mist at 6:30 a.m.The bay in Ha Long, which literally means descending dragons, was formed by millions of years of geological activity, which created thousands of islets. It became a fixture on the world tourism map after being recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.

Rocky islets amid mist at 6:30 a.m.

The bay in Ha Long, which literally means "descending dragons," was formed by millions of years of geological activity, which created thousands of islets. It became a fixture on the world tourism map after being recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.

A lonely boat on the emerald green waters surrounded by limestone karst.While hordes of people come to explore the majestic beauty of the bay, not many know about the legend and mystery associated with it.Legend has it that in the earliest days of the nation Vietnamese had to fight off hostile invaders attempting to enter through the sea. The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her children to help the Vietnamese defeat their enemies.The mother dragon and her children incinerated the enemies with their fire and emeralds, which scattered around the sea, creating an impassable barrier which sank the enemy’s battle fleet. Finally the invaders were repelled, and peace returned to the country. When the battle ended, the dragons did not return to heaven and instead decided to stay there.

A boat on the emerald green waters surrounded by limestone karst.

While hordes of people come to explore the majestic beauty of the bay, not many know about the legend and mystery associated with it.

Legend has it that in the earliest days of the nation Vietnamese had to fight off hostile invaders attempting to enter through the sea. The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her children to help the Vietnamese defeat their enemies.

The mother dragon and her children incinerated the enemies with their fire and emeralds, which scattered around the sea, creating an impassable barrier which sank the enemy’s battle fleet. Finally the invaders were repelled, and peace returned to the country. When the battle ended, the dragons did not return to heaven and instead decided to stay there.

Locals eke a living from the bay, living on floating houses where they farm clams and catch shrimp and crab. Tour boats often stop at floating houses for visitors to get a glimpse of how the fishermen live.It takes three to four hours to drive from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, and a few minutes to line up and get into your boat. Tour groups generally pick up travelers at 8 a.m. to make it to Ha Long Bay by noon.

Besides luxury cruise ships, visitors can see the image of fishermen sailing on small boats to earn a daily living in Ha Long. Tour boats often stop at floating houses for visitors to get a glimpse of how the fishermen live. 

Sunset over the bay. Most of the islets in Ha Long Bay are uninhabited; many of them are inaccessible to human visitors due to their sheer limestone cliffs.

Sunset over the bay.

Most of the islets in Ha Long Bay are uninhabited; many of them are inaccessible to human visitors due to their sheer limestone cliffs.

Explore Ha Long, the land of descending dragons  (EDITED) - 5

British travel magazine Rough Guides last month listed Ha Long Bay as one of the 100 most beautiful places to visit next year.

In the "The Rough Guides to the 100 Best Places on Earth," it describes "the scattering of limestone pinnacles jutting out of the smooth waters of Ha Long Bay," around four hours east of Hanoi, as an "incredible sight."

Cruise ships lit up at night on the bay. An overnight cruise trip has been recommended as a must-try travel experience in Asia by  the U.S. news site Business Insider.

Cruise ships lit up at night on the bay.

An overnight cruise trip has been recommended as a "must-try" travel experience in Asia by  the U.S. news site Business Insider

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