The Wonders of Ha Long Bay
Known for its stunning natural beauty, Ha Long Bay continues to captivate with each changing season. The mountains, beaches, and cave systems in Ha Long are some of its most outstanding features, making many visitors return time and time again.
Ha Long Bay is home to nearly 2,000 islands, both large and small. The area recognized as a national heritage by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1962 covers 1,553 km² and contains 1,969 islands, 980 of which have names. Meanwhile, the area of Ha Long Bay recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site spans 434 km² and is home to 775 islands.
Located in the northeastern part of Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is situated in Quang Ninh Province. The Bay was formed through climatic changes in history and the tectonic movements of the Earth.
The beauty of Ha Long Bay is composed of three main elements: rock, water, and sky.
The beauty of Ha Long is shaped by three key elements: rock, water, and sky. The rock islands in Ha Long are of countless shapes and forms, blending with the sky and sea to create a living masterpiece. Inside these large islands, visitors are captivated by the beautiful and mysterious caves, adding to the allure of this unique landscape.
The islands in Ha Long Bay are formed by Karst topography, which developed under tropical, humid conditions. The entire area of Ha Long Bay is a Karst landscape that has evolved over millions of years, with conical and tower-shaped Karst formations that have been eroded, creating a globally unique and strikingly beautiful landscape.
The geological history of Ha Long Bay has gone through various ancient geographical conditions, including numerous episodes of mountain building, sea regression, subsidence, and sea advance. These changes over millions of years have resulted in limestone islands with countless whimsical shapes, which local people have named, turning them into the most famous tourist attractions in Ha Long Bay.
The Hence and Cock islet, also known as the Rooster-Hen Island (Hòn Trống Mái), is located in the southwestern part of Ha Long Bay, about 5 kilometers from the Bãi Cháy Tourist Port. This group of islands resembles a pair of chickens, one male and one female, standing about 10 meters tall, with their feet narrowing and balancing in a precarious position. Hence and Cock islet is also the symbol featured on Ha Long Bay's logo and in Vietnam’s travel guidebooks.
From a distance, the Hence and Cock islet looks like two gigantic, muscular roosters battling each other on the vast sea. Each rooster stands around 12 meters high, with a wobbly posture and tiny feet supporting their massive bodies. It seems that with just one powerful wave, the entire massive rock structure could topple at any moment.
However, despite hundreds of millions of years passing, the Hence and Cock islet still stands firmly, and its imbalanced yet striking appearance has made it an alluring landmark for tourists.
Đỉnh Hương (Lư Hương) islet
If the Hence and Cock Islet is the symbol on the logo of Ha Long Bay, then the Incense Burner Islet appears on the 200,000 VND banknote of Vietnam.
The Incense Burner Islet is located on Tourist Routes 1 and 5 in Ha Long Bay, about 2.5 km from the Tuan Chau International Marina, southwest of the Dau Go Cave, and in the middle of the shipping lane near the Ba Hang area. From a distance, the Incense Burner Islet stands tall in the vast sea. It is a large rocky mountain resting on four thin slabs of stone, blocking the path. The rock formation resembles a giant incense burner placed in the middle of the vast ocean.
The image of the Incense Burner Islet has been widely used as a symbol for tourism. Several travel companies have created posters and stickers featuring this landmark, using it as a proud symbol of Ha Long Bay.
Coc islet
The Frog Islet (Hòn Con Cóc) is one of the famous attractions in Ha Long Bay, located about 12 kilometers southeast of the Bai Chay tourist port, within Ha Long Bay. This rocky island resembles a frog in a sitting position, waiting for rain to fall amidst the vast sea.
The Frog Islet has become a distinctive symbol of Ha Long Bay and is an essential stop for visitors to the area. It is one of the smallest limestone islands in the bay’s archipelago, standing at just 9 meters tall. Due to its limited size, tourists can only admire the islet from a distance while traveling by boat and cannot set foot directly on the island.
With its frog-like shape perched atop the limestone rock, the Frog Islet has become a well-known landmark of Ha Long Bay. Its form also evokes the image of a frog calling for rain, reminiscent of a popular Vietnamese folk tale.
The Dog Stone Islet is a small rock formation, standing about 8 meters tall, located in the area of popular tourist stops in Ha Long Bay, including Thiên Cung Cave, Đầu Gỗ Cave, and Ti Tốp Island. After visiting Thiên Cung Cave, it takes approximately 10 minutes to reach the Dog Stone Islet.
The islet is named "Dog Stone" because its shape resembles a dog sitting with its back turned toward the sea, as if guarding the Bay. It serves as a symbolic protector for travelers embarking on their journeys, ensuring their safety at sea.
The image of the Dog Stone is understood as the form of a dog sitting, facing away from the sea. From Đầu Gỗ Cave, as you circle around the islet, you can observe the Dog Stone from the sloping sides at about 8 meters high. Tourists can enjoy a close-up view of the islet from this vantage point.
Today, most of the one-day Ha Long tours or overnight cruise tours pass by this beautiful islet. Visitors on the cruise can easily catch a glimpse of the Dog Stone Islet while enjoying the scenic beauty of Ha Long Bay.
Located in the center of Ha Long Bay, approximately 14 kilometers from the Bai Chay tourist port, Yên Ngựa Islet is a uniquely shaped rock formation created by nature. Standing about 10 meters tall, the islet consists of two stone pillars: one large and one smaller. These pillars are cleverly connected, forming the shape of a saddle.
What makes Yên Ngựa particularly interesting is the natural gap underneath the "saddle," which forms a passage wide enough for a medium-sized boat to pass through.
Although this islet is not a major stop on most Ha Long Bay tours, some overnight cruise ships still pass by it during their journey, allowing passengers to appreciate its unique shape from the water.
Oản islet is located quite close to the shore, just 300 meters from Mount Bai Tho and about 5 kilometers east of the tourist port. On clear days, it can be seen from the shore with the naked eye. The islet stands 22 meters high and has a rounded, well-proportioned shape, resembling a traditional rice cake, which is why locals call it "Hòn Oản."
Despite its modest size, Oản islet is particularly famous among French tourists, as it served as a filming location in the 1992 French movie L'indochine (Indochina), produced by Paradis Film. The renowned French actress Catherine Deneuve filmed several scenes here.
On one side of the islet, you can still see remnants of the movie set, such as a stone path leading to the sea, known as the "slave pier," and the prison camp house, which was featured in the scene where two lovers part ways in sorrow. From the "Biển Mơ" floating restaurant, visitors can easily see the island up close.
The Magnificent "Palaces" Inside the Mountains
The underground Karst landscape in Ha Long is a system of diverse caves located on the bay, divided into three main groups.
Group 1 consists of ancient underground cave relics, typically including Sung Sot Cave, Tam Cung Cave, Lau Dai Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, and Thien Long Cave, among others.
Group 2 includes Karst remnant caves, such as Trinh Nu Cave, Bo Nâu Cave, Tien Ong Cave, and Trong Cave, which are characterized by their distinct geological formations.
Group 3 comprises a system of "marine knotch cave" with notable examples being the three interconnected caves in the Ba Ham Lake cluster, Luon Cave, and Ba Hang Cave, among others.
Dau Go Cave is a limestone cave located within the scenic complex of Ha Long Bay. The cave is situated about 3 kilometers from Tuan Chau Island and approximately 6 kilometers from Bai Chay tourism area. Visitors to the cave can experience a beauty that is both pristine and ancient, with many natural stalactites and stalagmites in strange and fascinating shapes.
Dau Go Cave is located 27 meters above sea level and covers an area of about 5,000 square meters, with a cave entrance that is 17 meters wide and 12 meters high. Scientists believe the cave was formed around 2 million years ago, around the same time as Thien Cung Cave, which is located just 300 meters away. Compared to other caves in the bay, Dau Go Cave is particularly blessed by nature, with a rich ecosystem and a grand, magnificent architectural structure.
There are three main legends explaining the origin of the cave’s name:
First Legend: It is said that during the 13th-century Mongol invasion, General Tran Hung Dao, the commander-in-chief, ordered the planting of wooden stakes to destroy the enemy ships. This clever strategy led to a resounding victory and helped protect the nation's borders. After the battle, many wooden stakes remained inside the cave, so the locals named it "Dau Go Cave," which is a distorted version of "Giấu Gỗ" (hidden wood).
Second Legend: Another explanation comes from the fact that in front of Dau Go Cave, there is a series of islands shaped like a crescent. This created a sheltered area that allowed fishermen to take refuge from storms while fishing. While staying there, the fishermen repaired their boats, leaving behind many wooden pieces, which led to the naming of the cave as Dau Go.
Third Legend: Some locals also tell a different version, saying that the shape of Dau Go Island from afar resembles a large bundle of wood with two holes at both ends for threading rope. Based on this distinctive feature, the cave was named Dau Go.
In 1938, the French tourism magazine Merveille de Monde published an article about Dau Go Cave, honoring it as "Grotte des Merveilles" (The Cave of Wonders).
Thien Cung Cave
Thien Cung Cave is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The cave is hidden on the Dau Go Island range, located in the southwestern part of Ha Long Bay, approximately 4 kilometers from the tourist harbor. The cave entrance is situated about 25 meters above sea level. Thien Cung Cave covers an area of nearly 10,000 square meters and features a complex architectural structure, as evidenced by the unique stalactites and stalagmites found inside. The cave is often likened to a majestic and magnificent temple.
Thien Cung Cave is also an archaeological site of the Soi Nhụ culture (the culture of prehistoric humans). In the cave entrance and floor area, archaeologists discovered layers of Melania snail shells, indicating the presence of freshwater snails that had undergone carbonization. Additionally, the cave walls are where stone tools have been found.
On May 1st, 1998, Thien Cung Cave officially opened to welcome tourists. It was the first cave in Ha Long Bay to undergo large-scale renovations.
A famous photograph by photographer Nguyễn Duy Kiên, taken in 1958 from inside Bo Nau Cave, showcases its beauty.
Bo Nau Cave is located on the second tourist route in Ha Long Bay, approximately 13 kilometers southeast of the international Tuần Châu tourist harbor. Bo Nau Cave is carved within Bo Nau Island in Ha Long Bay. It is surrounded by a cluster of other caves such as Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Ti Top Island, Trong Cave, and Trinh Nu Cave.
Bo Nau is a type of ancient limestone karst cave. According to some documents from the French and Vietnamese newspapers in the early 20th century, Bo Nau Cave is one of the beautiful landscapes of Ha Long Bay.
The entrance area to the cave is a short sandy beach that can only be accessed by kayak or small boats, as large vessels cannot enter. The cave entrance has an arched shape resembling an overturned seashell, creating a space reminiscent of a theater ceiling, with numerous stalactites hanging down softly like willow branches.
Me Cung Cave
Me Cung Cave is located in the strictly protected area of Ha Long Bay. The cave is situated at an altitude of 25 meters above sea level, on Lom Bo Island, approximately 2 kilometers southwest of Ti Top Island.
Me Cung Cave has a very complex terrain structure, consisting of multiple levels, chambers, and passages within the rocky roof, with a corridor over 100 meters long that gradually ascends toward the west. The entrance faces east and has an area of about 40 square meters, which has been leveled. From a distance, the entrance appears as if it is a roof sunken into the hillside, cool and dry, and behind it lies a system of small, winding caves that are quite concealed.
Archaeologists have identified Me Cung Cave as one of the sites from the early Ha Long culture, dating back around 10,000 to 7,000 years ago. The most significant remnants found near the entrance are the shells of Melania snails, a species that only inhabits streams. The soil on the right side of the path leading to the cave is still full of these mollusk shells. Currently, on both sides of the entrance on the rocky roof, the layers of fossilized snail shells are intact, including both freshwater and mountain snails. These deposits indicate that the cultural layer here was originally 60-150 cm thick. Besides the freshwater snail shells, mountain snail shells, and various clam and shell fragments have also been found. It is known that the Ha Long Bay Management Board has collected and still preserves a collection of fossilized or partially fossilized animal bones from Me Cung Cave.
Sung Sot Cave, located on Bo Hon Island in the center of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, is one of the most famous caves in the area. In 1901, a French scientist visited the cave and named it "Grotte de la surprise," which translates to "Cave of Surprises" due to its stunning beauty and unexpected formations.
The cave is renowned for its extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites, which have taken on fascinating shapes resembling wild chickens, toads, dragons, waterfalls, and many other forms, giving the cave an almost mythical and fairytale-like atmosphere.
In 2012, Sung Sot Cave was ranked among the top 10 most beautiful caves in the world by the Czech Association of Travel Offices and Brokers, further solidifying its status as one of Ha Long Bay's most remarkable natural wonders. The cave's breathtaking beauty and unique formations continue to captivate visitors from around the world.
Tien Ong Cave
Tien Ong Cave is located in the center of Cái Tai Island (Hang Trai area), approximately 18 km from the International Tourist Port of Tuan Chau and 16.5 km from Ha Long City. The cave was previously known as "Ren" or "Duc" Cave. It was named "Tien Ong" (meaning "Old Man Fairy") because within the cave, there is a stalagmite resembling an elderly man with a benevolent face and long hair and beard, reminiscent of an old fairy.
In addition to being a natural wonder with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, Tien Ong Cave is also a historical and cultural site, serving as a witness to ancient Vietnamese culture in Ha Long. The cave currently houses an archaeological display of prehistoric artifacts, proving that human life existed in the area thousands of years ago.
The cave has a wide, arched entrance about 13 meters high, facing northwest. Situated about 5 meters above sea level, Tien Ong Cave consists of two main parts, separated by a large stalagmite column in the middle. After passing through the outer section, which is filled with mollusk deposits, remnants of ancient life, visitors can explore six inner chambers adorned with sparkling stalactites. The largest chamber is 70 meters long, 43 meters wide, and 10 meters high.
Unparalleled Beautiful Beaches
Nestled between the islands in the bay, there are numerous breathtaking beaches. While the number of beaches that have been developed for tourism is still limited due to transportation conditions, infrastructure, and docking stations, the beaches on the islands in the Bay remain top attractions. They are renowned for their pristine beauty and captivating charm, drawing crowds of tourists seeking a tranquil and natural escape.
Ti Top Beach
Ti Top Beach is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Ha Long Bay. The island is named after the Soviet cosmonaut German Titov, who visited the island with President Ho Chi Minh in 1962. The island was later named Ti Top Island to commemorate this historic event.
Despite being a small and peaceful beach, Ti Top Beach holds a unique charm that few beaches in Ha Long Bay possess. Located on an island with no hotels or restaurants around, Ti Top offers a tranquil and serene atmosphere by the sea.
Ti Top Island is part of the most popular tourist route, the second tour route of Ha Long Bay, which includes the Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, and Luon Cave.
Soi Sim Beach
Soi Sim Beach is located on Soi Sim Island, about 12 kilometers from Bai Chay Tourist Port and just 700 meters from Ti Top Island. Soi Sim is one of the rare islands that still retains its pristine beauty, with a rich ecosystem and lush vegetation. The island features a primary forest, built on a unique geological structure, and houses diverse species, many of which are endemic and characteristic of Ha Long Bay’s ecosystem.
The island was named Soi Sim after the Sim trees that grow abundantly there. Every year, the Sim flowers bloom, creating a romantic and picturesque atmosphere. Soi Sim Beach remains undeveloped and less commercialized, which helps it preserve its natural charm, with soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water.
In addition to relaxing on the beach, visitors can climb 400 steps to the highest point on the island, where they can enjoy breathtaking views of Ha Long Bay. During the Sim flower season, the island is covered with the purple blossoms and later, their fruit, contributing to its name.
The beach offers various activities such as jet skiing, scuba diving, and refreshing swims, making it a popular spot for tourists seeking an exciting beach experience.
Ba Trái Đào Beach
Ba Trái Đào Beach is located in the Ba Trái Đào Islands group, on the eastern side of Ha Long Bay. From the tourist port, it takes about 10 hours by speedboat to reach Ba Trái Đào Beach. This unique beach is nestled in the mystic natural beauty of the island, featuring three crescent-shaped beaches surrounding the base of the island, resembling three peaches.
The beach is quite pristine, with rocky islands on all sides. The water is incredibly clear, allowing visitors to see their reflections in the cool water. However, the beach is only accessible for about two hours a day due to tidal changes, making it a secluded and peaceful spot. Ba Trái Đào Beach is less crowded than other beaches in Ha Long, and it is typically a stop on cruises exploring Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
Ha Long Bay, with its clouds, sky, mountains, and emerald waters, along with its mysterious caves and unparalleled beaches, remains a magnificent jewel of the sea. To this day, we have yet to fully uncover all of its natural beauty.
Translated by Thuy Ha