Traveling to Ha Long Bay – Vietnam

In 1898, European travelers reported seeing an enormous sea snake traveling through the waters of the Ha Long Bay. This legend gave birth to the Western idea of the Asian dragon, in fact, Ha Long Bay is also known as the Bay of the Descending Dragons. There might be myths born in this area, however locals of the Quảng Ninh province view the Ha Long Bay as a center of culture, history and biodiversity. You might not see dragons gliding through the bay, however you will encounter unmatched beauty, endemic species and hundreds of islands.

Ha Long Bay was once famous for limestone islands, limitless caves and beautifully balanced flora and fauna. Yet like most popular destinations, human influence has slowly degraded the area. Because of this, interest in eco-friendly tours has blossomed and many travel agencies have begun to develop ways to reduce human impact on the natural beauty of the Bay. Even if travelers elect to not plan trips with travel agencies who specialize in eco-friendly tours, they are urged to be aware of littering and to respect the natural treasures of the Bay.

Most visitors to the Ha Long Bay travel the 170 kilometers from Hanoi to get to Ha Long Bay. This may sound daunting; however this trip allows visitors to take in beautiful Vietnamese scenery in a leisurely way. It is possible to arrange these tours via individual hotels, but it is less expensive to contact a travel agent while in Hanoi.

The Ha Long Bay is definitely one of Vietnam’s most beautiful destinations and. If you are planning on visiting Vietnam, you won’t want to skip a trip to Ha Long Bay