Halong Bay

Up to now, no document or research has officially provided any credible evidence to explain the origin of the name Halong (or Hạ Long in Vietnamese). A folk legend has it that, long ago, the local inhabitants used to see a herd of god-dragons led by a mother-dragon descending from the sky and playing over the waves. At times of drought, the dragons made rain to the whole area. They protected fishing-boat against high waves and guided the boats land on stormy days. To show their gratitude, the local people usually presented the dragons with offerings.
One day, pirates flocked to the bay and massacred the inhabitants. Hearing the cries of the people, the dragons immediately appeared, spouting fire to burn the invaders. The scared fire dropped down as blackish grey ash to create thousand of rough columns of the present-day limestone islands. The place where the dragons landed is named Halong (descending dragons) and the site where the dragons kowtowed to their mother before returning the sky is called Bai Tu Long( prostrating child-dragons).

Whenever speaking of Halong bay, one should talk first about the beauty of its natural landscape. Mr.James Thorsell, an expert from the UNESCO Natural Heritage Organization (IUCN), assessed Ha Long bay as follows: “Stone Mountains rising out of the water surface in Halong Bay form an original natural landscape endowed with magnificent values, especially its archaeological heritage. It is worthy of preservation and inclusion in the list of world heritages as a natural heritage”.

On our planet, there is no sea area other than Halong bay where thousands of fabulously shaped limestone islands spring up like gemstones twinkling on a blue carpet concentrated into a small area. Limestone rocks in Halong Bay are a vivid world of fantasy. Some look like fighting cocks or a sleeping tortoise. Some resemble an aged Buddhist monk pressing his two hands together to praise Buddha. Halong bay is a treasury of familiar-shaped islands full of wonderful secrets beyond human understanding.

The beauty of Halong bay is seen not only in the mountains, waters and sky but also in the limestone islands. Their abundant systems of grottoes and caves such as the magnificent Thien Cung (celestial palace), the imposing Dau Go (wooden stakes), the legendary Sung So ( surprise), and the beautiful Virgin or Fairy Cave, are all related to romantic folk tales and legends. All of appear as monumental works of the nature-creator.