Halong Bay is in North Vietnam, in the Gulf of Tonkin near Haiphong. We travelled by train from Hanoi to Haiphong, and then by hydrofoil to the island of Cat Ba where we stayed a few nights.
One day (Dec 24th, 2005 to be exact) we and 4 fellow travellers boarded a small junk and spent the day touring Halong Bay. It is a magical place (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Limestone pinnacles/islands fill the bay. This evidently is the result of post ice-age rising ocean levels in a large river delta, the river having eroded the limestone into sheer faces. There are so many of these islands that the bay is really calm – makes for great views.
This day the bay was mystical and magical:
We wound slowly through passages between these monoliths. Our crew knew the way, but it felt like a Disneyland ride. Around every corner lay surprises, such as floating villages:
Or serene views of fishing boats:
Take the time and go. Go to Vietnam soon, it is changing very rapidly. Mel and I fell in love with this country and its people. I’ll post more about other places in Vietnam another time.
Have a look at the complete Halong Bay album:
Happy travels!
-Steve