Bai Tho Mountain

Location: Bai Tho (Poem) Mountain lies at the heart of Halong City, Quang Ninh Province.

Characteristics: From a far, the 106-meter-limestone mountain looks like a huge castle with three imposing towers. Its past name Truyen Dang means Light Projecting. This mountain has inspired many poets.

In 1468, during his inspection tour to the eastern region, King Le Thanh Tong stopped here. Inspired by the stunning beauty of Halong, the King wrote a poem and had it carved into the southern side of the mountain, hence its name Bai Tho (Poem). In 1729, Lord Trinh Cuong composed a poem in response to that of King Le Thanh Tong and also had it carved near the former. The mountain features other poems by Nguyen Can and some other poets.

Atop Bai Tho Mountain, you feel surprised at the magnificent landscape of Halong Bay. In the background of immense emerald waters, of rock bobbing, of high sky, of surrounding flowers and trees, you can figure out the tiny images of boats. Bai Tho makes up one of the beauty spots of Halong.

Luon Grotto

Location: Luon Grotto is situated on Bo Hon Island, 14km south of Bai Chay Beach, Quang Ninh Province.

Characteristics: In front of the grotto is Con Rua Islet and the Sky Gate is on the right. Here the cliffs stretch vertically out of the pure blue and smooth water.  

At the water-level, an arched entrance leads to the grotto, just at the base of the island. Passing through the pretty entrance, you come across a tranquil round lake, surrounded by luxuriant trees and high dangerous stone walls. Monkeys run to and fro in groups, benjamin fig trees shade the landscape and many orchids hang their sweet-scented flowers. In the lake, many species abound: shrimp, fish, crab and cuttle-fish.

This is an enclosed group of islands. It connects with the sea via a 4-meter-wide, 100-meter-long, and 3-meter-high mouth. Inside the grotto, the 1-km2 brackish lake is surrounded by mountains. On the cliff one still find traces of fossils of fresh-water snails, which prove that men used to live there and this must have been a deep valley then.

The beauty of the site is the mingling of a number of factors: the mountain's size and form, the colour of the water and the clouds.

Ba Trai Dao Islet

Location: It is 22km from south of Bai Chay Tourist Wharf.

Characteristics: This island consists of three small mountains with the height of 23m, seen from afar, resemble three peaches (Ba Trai Dao).  

The island connects to a legend of about the romantic love between a youngest fairy, who was very pretty with a young and poor fisherman.

Because of feeling in love with him, she stole three peaches from Heaven for him, which if he ate, would give him eternal life, allowing them to live together forever. The King of the Heavens discovered the robbery and turned the peaches into three stone islands. Chastised, the young fairy had to return.

Today, Ba Trai Dao is a famous tourist attraction with three nice fairy beaches, romantic landscape.

It takes 10 hours by cruise from Bai Chay Tourist Wharf, tourists will come to Ba Trai Dao Beach. It has that name as Ba Trai Dao Beach (the three peaches), features three small sand beaches embracing small islands. These islands, seen from afar, resemble three peaches. Tourists take bath in this beach only 2-3 hours in a day as in other time the beach is lapped by tides.

Con Coc Islet

Location: Con Coc or Toad Islet lies in Halong Bay, 17km away from the tourist boat wharf.

Characteristics: Con Coc or Toad Islet is one of the most exquisite works nature has presented Halong. Just imagine, an 8-meter-tall toad sitting to wait for rain amidst the vastness of the sea.

Am Islet

Location: On the route to Quan Lan – Ngoc Vung Islands; Am Rock or Kettle Islet is situated in Bai Tu Long Bay.

Characteristics: An island jutting out of the seawaters, the teapot of the Jade Emperor, who accidentally dropped it into Halong so its handle was broken.

Cong Do Island

Location: On the south-east side of Halong Bay, about 25km from Bai Chay Wharf, Cong Do is in Bai Tu Long Bay in the region which recognised as the World Heritage.

Characteristics: It has an area of 23,363m2 and its mountain reaches a peak of 172m.

The island features many lagoons, which are the residence of numerous species of sea-life, such as shrimp, crab, fish, squid and aquatic plants. On the south-west side of the island, there is a wide coral reef displaying a myriad of colours. Coral reef ecosystem is more than 700m long and 300m wide. It is preserved almost undamaged. In the future, there are plans for the development of a zone for scuba-diving. On the south-east side of the island, vestiges of the ancient commercial port of Van Don were discovered. This confirms beliefs that Cong Do Island once held an important position in terms of foreign trade.

Dau Nguoi Islet

Location: The Dau Nguoi Islet in Halong Bay lies near Luon Cave, 13km away from the tourist wharf.

Characteristics: From a far, you can see a 25-meter islet, which reminds us of a huge Egyptian head with a big nose. Its chin lies close to the sea surface. Many people associate it with the image of the Egyptian Sphinx. It’s a masterpiece of nature, has its own poetic beauty as it lies amidst seawaters.

Mat Quy Islet

Location: Boating past the Am Islet some 20 minutes, we see Mat Quy Islet or Monster Head Islet, which protrudes about 30-35m from the waters of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Characteristics: Nature has carved the rock in the shape of a monster head, with a rough big nose standing out from a distorted face. From whatever angle, one still find it horrible.

Ba Mun Island and Bai Tu Long National Park

Location: Ba Mun Island is a schist island belonging to Minh Chau Commune, Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province.

Characteristics: It stretches out parallel to Quan Lan Island, separated by the Doi Gate that runs in a north-east direction. It has the other name, Cao Lo Island.

It is 15km from the shore, 1,800ha in area with more than 20km long and narrow wide. It consists of a narrow stretch of earth and stone that runs east to west. The highest peak is Quit Mountain with a height of 397m. The fauna and flora here are very plentiful. There are many rare species.

It is the only island in Halong Bay that is home to a primitive forest. There are countless species of plants and trees, some with giant trunks. This forest is also home to many rare animals such as chamois, deer and monkeys. It is said that many years ago tigers, panthers and elephants once resided on the island. In order to help preserve the forest, on January 24, 1997, the government recognised it as a Bai Tu Long National Park.

Soi Sim Islet

Location: Soi Sim is an soil island 400m away from Ti Top Island, and 7-8km from the Bai Chay Tourist Wharf.

Characteristics: In the island there are many ancient trees. The Hạ Long Bay Management Board is going to build a system of guesthouses equipped with modern facilities. At present, a small beach has been improved and upgraded, adding more charm to the attractive holiday resort.

Dinh Huong Islet

Location: In the itinerary of Thien Cung – Dau Go – Ti Top, one finds Dinh Huong Islet or Lu Huong (Incense Burner Islet) to the southwest of Dau Go Island.

Characteristics: Passing the Cho Da (Stone Dog) Islet and the Con Meo (Cat) Islet, one sees an imposing stone slab resting on two other small stones stands blocked the way.

The stone slab resembles a huge incense burner, which lies in the middle of the sea as a holy object to worship the Sky and Earth.

Cho Da Islet (Dog Stone Islet)

Location: In the itinerary of Thien Cung - Dau Go - Ti Top, after visiting Thien Cung and Dau Go, one needs 10 minutes boating to the Cho Da Islet or Stone Dog Islet.

Characteristics: Some 8m up the islet one can figure out a piece of stone in the shape of a dog sitting with its back to the sea, standing guard for the safety of seagoing boats for millions of years.

Ti Top Island and Beach

Location: Ti Top Island is situated about 7-8km south-east of Bai Chay.

Characteristics: It displays a beach shaped like a crescent moon and sand that has been washed to a snowy white by the tide.

November 22, 1962, this tiny island had the honour of receiving a visit from astronaut Ghermann Titov, a hero of the former Soviet Union, accompanied by President Ho Chi Minh. To perpetuate the remembrance of their visit, Uncle Ho named the place Ti Top Island. It has now become an attractive beach for tourists and has various of tourist services.

Thirty-five years afterwards, on June 27, 1997, Ti Top returned to the island having his name. Deeply moved, he wrote in the souvenir book of the Management Board of Halong Bay: "My deepest thanks to destiny, which has allowed me to come back to this tiny island.� It has become a beach attracting many visitors.

From about 14km east of Bai Chay is Ti Top Beach. It takes the shape of a crescent encompassing the island. Small though it might be, it wins kudos for its quiet and airy atmosphere, its clean and clear waters, as well as its alluring landscape. At present, there has a bar in the island which also provides swimming costumes, floats and lukewarm shower. Fresh water was carried to the island from inland. Ti Top Beach has become a popular tourist destination.

Review for Bhaya Classic Cruise by Mr Alex Chan

We did the 3d/2n Bhaya Cruise on the Bhaya Classic and were absolutely satisfied because of:

- the catering (mix of quality buffets and restaurant-standard set meals)

- excursions included

- tastefully decorated cabins

- nice ambience throughout the boat

- hospitable crew.

For those doing the 3d/2n cruise, expect a very personal excursion on their smaller boat the Bhaya Spirit. On our specific day, it was a 1:1 crew to passenger ratio.

We had a guide with us for most of the cruise ... something we didn't expect. It is essential for eg. Spanish speakers but a bit redundant for English speakers. But it was a nice extra that's not always included ... it seems that our agency (Far East Tours) and Bhaya's direct customers enjoy this extra. 

While we normally rough it and make our own arrangements (so as to have the real experience) it was nice to be pampered and insulated from the real world briefly.

 Sundeck, quite nice for Tai chi or even a wedding

 Our cabin is bright and cheerfully decorated

 The corridor with cabins on both sides

Dinner are restaurant quality

Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park is centred on Cat Ba Island - Hai Phong city. The Cat Ba archipelago itself comprises 366 islets and islands. Together they cover an area of 20,000 hectares of limestone islands. 

Most of the islets dotting Cat Ba National Park is covered with vegetation, although there are sheer limestone cliffs where hardly anything grew. Nonetheless, it is not uncommon to sea tenacious shrubs clinging to those otherwise barren cliffs, and on occasion, we even saw mountain goats and monkeys on the cliffs. The feeling of kayaking through the labyrinthine maze of islands, where the only sound was that of your oar on the water, was simply magnificent.

Its terrain is varied mainly with limestone ranges with marvelous grottoes and white sandy beaches. The average height is of 150 m and the Cao Vong mountain, 322 m is the highest above the sea level.

This is the reserve of the large area of tropical virgin forests in Vietnam with various fauna and flora systems. According to initial statistics, there are some 745 species, 495 branches and 149 families of which 350 species belong to Chinese herbal ones. There exists various rare wood  trees under protection such as Cho Doi, Trai Ly, Va Nuoc, Co Bac Son…

Cat Ba National Park is home to different types of rare faunas, including 20 mammal family, 69 bird family, 20 reptiles and amphibians, 11 frogs and tree – frogs. Vooc or white – head monkeys, the specially rare species which can only be seen in Cat Ba Island these days. They live on the sheer rocks along the island’s coast. There also exist mountain goats, deers, wild boars and various kinds of beautiful birds such as kingfishers, hornbills and hawks etc… It is most interesting to visit the Park through a trail starting from the Park center to Viet Hai Commune, a mountainous residential area and then come back by boats…

There is at least one floating village in the national park. They earn a living through shrimp and fish farming, and from the occasional tourist boat that drop by. 

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

'Halong Bay, or Vinh Ha Long, is a tourist destination in the Gulf of Tonkin in northern Vietnam. It was recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site since 1994. I visited it with my wife (then girlfriend) and a small group. We toured the bay in a traditional junk and spent the night on board. Located 170 km east of Hanoi, Halong Bay took me over three hours to reach. 

The weather in Hanoi was balmy with light rain, so we were pleasantly surprised that upon reaching Halong Bay, we were treated with glorious sunshine. It was one of the sunniest days I have had on the whole trip, and it allowed me to take many great photographs of this scenic bay' - a sharing from tourist.

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Halong Bay was inscribed as one of Vietnam's UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1994.

Translated into English, Vinh Ha Long means Bay of the Descending Dragon. The origin of this name is linked to one of the many skirmishes the Vietnamese had with their mighty neighbour up north, China.

According to legend, during one of the invasions mounted by the Chinese on Vietnam, the Vietnamese called upon the gods for assistance. The gods sent a troop of dragons to help defend the land. The dragons descended in Vietnam at Halong Bay. Out of their mouths came - not fire - but jewels, and these jewels transformed into the many isles and islets dotting the bay. These tiny islands became a natural shield against sea invasion, and three times in Vietnamese history, the labyrinthine passages through the islands prevented the Chinese from landing. Even the Mongols were thwarted in their 13th century attempt to conquer Vietnam - the Vietnamese led by General Tran Hung Dao planted steel-tipped wooden stakes into the sea bed. When the Mongol fleet passed through them, the stakes punctured their ships, sinking them.

Halong Bay covers an area of 1500 square kilometres. Within this area is close to two thousand limestone islands (someone counted and claimed there're 1969 islands) that jut out in spectacular fashion from the sea. 

Some of the islands in Halong Bay have rather fancy names such as Fighting Cock Island, a pair of limestone outcrops that look more like a two chicks about to, not fight, but kiss. There are so many islands, but the ones which can be named such as: Yen Ngua Islet, Ba Trai Dao Islet, Con Coc Islet, Cong Do Island, Soi Sim Islet. Ti Top Island is a stop where you can climb up to the view point right up at the top.

The islands of Halong Bay are pockmarked with caves and grottoes. The largest of these is Sung Sot Cave. The scenery from the mouth of the cave is simply postcard perfect. The other significant caves in Halong Bay include Ba Ham Cave, Bo Nau Cave, Dau Go Cave, Kim Quy Cave, Luon Cave, Me Cung Cave, Tam Cung Cave, Thien Cung Cave and Trinh Nu Cave.

Halong Bay: Dragons, Junks and Pearls

Any place this hauntingly beautiful warrants a good legend. Here’s how legend explains Halong Bay: A dragon descended from the sky and spat pearls into the water to protect Vietnam from foreign ships. The pearls transformed into islands; the ships turned away. Dragon wins.

“Pearl” is right, when it comes to these island rarities. Sixteen hundred of them dot Halong Bay, Vietnam, and most are uninhabited and untouched. They’re made of limestone, shaped by the sea into lovely pillars — some standing 160 to 330 feet tall with vertical cliff walls and caves systems within. Some of the pillars even look like things they’re not. Two pillars are named “Cock Fight Islands” — because they look like two chickens faced off against one another. And the Dog Rock looks like, well, a dog.

In one area of the bay, folks have built a village on the water; their homes float on rafts, and they make a living fishing the waters. Children row (instead of walk) to school, according to UNESCO.

This place is wonderful and you should go there. It’s a four-hour drive from Hanoi, and you can tour the bay on a junk ship (which is way prettier than its name implies), according to Frommer’s. Or, kayak the smooth waters, and then rock climb one of these pearls …

(by Amanda Arnold)

BO NAU GROTTO

Some 2-3 km southeast of Trống Mái Islet lies Bồ Nâu Grotto or Pelican Grotto. This vaulted grotto covers 200 m2. The floor of the grotto is wide and flat, but not deep, and its wall features lots of stalactites and stalagmites.

At the entrance are three stones, looking like three fairies with their heads close to one another. Two men appear to be playing chess, with the third serving as a referee.

Bồ Nâu Grotto is one of the beauty grottoes in HaLong Bay. The name Bồ Nâu or Bồ Nông is associated with the fact that pelicans often take shelter here. If Ðầu Gỗ Grotto lies completely inside the island, Bồ Nâu opens its mouth at the side of the island. Stalactites fall down from the roof of the grotto in different clusters. Meanwhile stalagmites grow up in different shapes and layers. Is this that the life out there is so noisy that the three fairies have to choose this tranquil place to play chess? Turning southward, Bồ Nâu Grotto enjoys cool wind. Standing there, one can hear the murmur of the sea all year round.

(to be continued)

THIEN CUNG GROTTO

It is situated on the south-west side the bay, 4 km from the wharf outside of Ha Long City. The way to Thiên Cung is a perilous one, covered on both sides by thick forest. After entering a narrow gate, the grotto’s 130-meter-long girth opens up. Getting in we are more astonished in front of the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from stalactite. On the east wall of the grotto, there is a grandiose and imposing picture with characters of tales.

Going out of the Thiên Cung Grotto, we have a sensation of just watching a unique, meticulous, interesting fine-art museum which is made by nature, get out of the imagine, ability and intellect of man.

This grotto is recently discovered, one of the most beautiful grottoes in Hạ Long Bay.

Legend has it, that beautiful young lady named Mây (cloud), caught the eye of the Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her. They were betrothed, and their wedding lasted seven days and seven nights in the very centre of the grotto.

In honour of the wedding, small dragons flew about through the stalactites and stalagmites, elephants danced together happily, snakes twined themselves around trees and two stone lions danced with their manes flowing in the wind. A large elephant, smartly dressed, waited for the bride and the groom. The genies of the south and north stars also came to attend the banquet, and the atmosphere was definitely animated and lively. All these scenes have been seemingly fossilized in the grotto.

In the centre are four large pillars supporting the "roof of heaven.” From the base to the top, many strange images seem to live in the stone: birds, fish, flowers and even scenes of human life. On the north wall of the grotto a group of fairies seem to dance and sing in honour of the wedding. Under the immeasurably high roof, stalactites make a natural stone curtain. Somewhere there is the sound of a drum beating, but it is actually just the noise made by the wind blowing through stone.

Arriving at the last partition of the grotto, a natural gushing stream of water babbles throughout the year. Here are three small ponds of clear water. Legend has it, that this was where Mây bathed her 100 children, bringing them up wisely and happily into adolescence. One path meanders out of the grotto; it was the way Mây, together with 50 of her children, took to harvest new lands. The 50 remaining children, together with their father, were left to build the native land. Left behind by the mother was the natural stream described above.

(to be continued)

HALONG BAY GROTTOES (series)

BA HAM LAKE

 

Situated on the south-west side of Hạ Long Bay, Ba Hầm Lake is found on Ðầu Bê Island (Calf Head Island) in Lan Hạ Bay. This island is part of the range of islands at the farthest end of Hạ Long Bay, bordering the immense zone Long Châu Sea. Ba Hầm Lake is situated in the middle of a narrow, rectangular area, with the all four sides enclosed by vertical cliffs.

The lake is a system comprising three wide and round pits, linked together by a narrow and meandering tunnel. Stalactites hang from the ceiling in a myriad of strange, colored forms. The silence is disturbed only by the sounds of the boat’s oars. On the island are many species of plants such as orchids, benjamin figs, banyans and cycads, which blossom throughout the year. It is also the home of yellow-haired monkeys, birds, flying squirrels and bats. Under the deep blue surface of the water are the animated lives of shrimp and fish.

Although 25 km from the shore, it has long been considered an ideal tourism zone. The entrance is a open semi-circular hole in the flat stone wall on the north-west side of the island, 4 to 5 m above the sea.

Starting from the entrance, tourists enter the first tunnel, which boasts a forest of stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes and various colours. They fall down the water surface like the roots of banyan or ficus trees. The deeper one pushes into the tunnel, the darker it becomes. The river is deep yet so clear that one can see shoals of fish swimming. Some 100 m from the entrance one finds a shaft of light coming from the roof of the tunnel, which reveals different kinds of orchids clinging to the cliff, cycads growing here and there, trúc duôi gà (a kind of reed with cock’s tail-liked yellow leaves) flourishing in clumps. In the southeast cliff of the second tunnel there grows an old carambola tree, which bears fruits all year round. Tourists can find groups of monkeys, flying squirrels, or silver-headed parrots gathering in its branches. Lying one cliff away from the second one, the third tunnel is home to various species of bats and butterflies.

Amidst the tranquil atmosphere, you feel like boating in an abyssal well walled by mountains. Ba Hầm Lake is one of the beauty spots of Hạ Long Bay 

(to be continue)

KAYAKING IN HALONG BAY

Kayaking is one of the most interesting activities in Halong Bay. Hereunder a sharing experience about it:

'Kayaking Halong Bay in Vietnam wasn’t what I bargained for. When I think of kayaking I think of sunshine and warm temperatures. Our group had just the opposite – for the full three days. Do you remember the major snow storm that hit China a few years ago? That same mass of cold air blew over Vietnam so any thoughts of shorts and T-shirts were quickly put aside. Instead we stocked up on scarves and coats on the way to our put in and prayed for sunshine.

Halong Bay, home to roughly 1600 islands, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. It’s known for its spectacular and otherworldly limestone peaks and karst topography – which means lots of caves. Caves have been used in the past by revolutionaries, pirates and bandits. We had the chance to explore some of them on foot and by kayak. Imagine paddling through the total darkness of some of the big caves with not a speck of light to guide you. Disorienting but calm and peaceful.

You know you're in Vietnam - view from the deck of our boat

Our boat at anchor in Halong Bay

The kayaking experience itself wasn’t quite what I expected. Basically we’d go out for an hour or two in the morning, come back for lunch – delicious by the way, and paddle again in the afternoon somewhere new. It was never difficult. We’d explore caves, glide silently by huge limestone peaks, discover lagoons accessible only by kayak, pay our respects at shrines and best of all check out large floating villages. Kids would be running up and down floating boardwalks with nary a life preserver in sight. I wonder how often they fall in!! Dogs barked at us and the women would give us a smile. Men seemed to be away – probably fishing.

Getting in and out of the kayaks was the trickiest part

Easy kayaking in Halong Bay

Kayaking through caves in the limestone formations

Kayak by a floating village

Under normal circumstances – with warmer temperatures – one could expect to lie on one of the loungers on top of the boat, relax and take in the view, when you weren’t kayaking. It was bloody cold up there on this trip, so other than a quick look around, people spent the rest of the time in our little rooms – which were adequate but cramped – under the covers with the heater going. Fortunately most were still working on getting on the time zone so the extra sleep was appreciated. Otherwise, I probably would have gone a little crazy in the confined space.

Dining - excellent but a chilly experience

The busy harbour - where parking a boat is an art

If you make it as far as Vietnam, do make the effort to go to Halong Bay. A trip out for a few days will give you a much better sense of the spot than a short boat tour of only a few hours. Before you go, I highly recommend renting and watching the movie Indochine – just as an appetizer for the beautiful sights you’ll see'

That was an experience of Leigh McAdam, who joined Halong bay in the winter with a standard boat.  There are hundred of boats in Halong bay and offer difference quality and services. At this moment, we can classify to 4 types: Luxury, Deluxe, Superior and Private. If you wish to visit Halong bay and try kayaking, just choose one of the most suitable one. You can have some information for your reference at: http://www.halongluxuryjunk.com/