Explore Islands and Caves Around Halong Bay
All trips to Vietnam, will definitely go through the inevitable Halong Bay. UNESCO World Heritage Site has included Halong Bay in its list since 1994. This stretch of water is located in the Gulf of Tonkin, 170 km east of Hanoi. The numerous limestone formation is the result of tectonic activities and erosion henceforth; dating back to more than 300 million years ago. The first signs of habitation in caves of these some 1,969 islands and islets date from nearly 4000 BC. In 2011, it was included among the 7 natural wonders of the world and still inspires legends and counts, sometimes based on historical facts such as General Tran Hung Dao’s victory over the Mongolian fleet in 1288. Halong means ‘descent of the dragon’ in Vietnamese, and one legends goes that the ‘sugar loaves’ are the eggs of this legendary dragon.
Halong Bay junks are the best way to visit the various caves and caves (Sung Sot, Trinh Nu, Thien Cung, Dau Co, Bo Nau) of the bay. The routes in Halong Bay; be it classic, or a route off the beaten track offer the opportunity to discover islands such as Trong Mai, Coc Con, Rong, Tuan Chau, Co Ton; which some are classified in the heritage sites of the UNESCO. The largest island of Halong Bay is the Cat Ba Island. Not to mention a family holiday in Vietnam at the beach of Cat Co for example, you will have the opportunity to swim in the various bays (Halong, Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long).
Besides Halong Bay, there are the Bay of Bai Tu Long. If Halong Bay saw a dragon come down to lay its eggs, Bai Tu Long Bay is the place from which it went back to join the heavens, saying goodbye. Bai Tu Long literally means ‘the dragon leaving his offspring’. It is a vast protected sea area, occupied like its sister Halong, by many islands and islets. Its ecosystem is rich in fauna and flora; both terrestrial (cat, deer, civet, monkey, etc.) and marine (mollusc, crab, crustacean, seaweed, mangrove, etc.). Next to its two big sisters, the Lan Ha Bay is the smallest but is by far the wilder and the less crowded. It still possesses fine white and yellow sands which have not been trod.
Cat Ba Island
In Vietnamese, Cat Ba means ‘women’s island’ and takes its name from a legend dating back to the time of the Tran Dynasty. Three women were killed and thrown into the sea. Their bodies floated towards an island populated by fishermen. Local residents paid tribute to these three women by building a pagoda for each of them and baptized the island, Cat Ba. The first traces of life were discovered on the current port of Ben Beo, located southeast of the island. Archaeologists date them back to nearly 6000 years ago.
Since 1994 Cat Ba is a UNESCO natural reserve with a biosystem composed of subtropical vegetation and animals such as snakes (aquatic or pythons) or lizards (geckos). But it is the golden-headed monkeys, the langurs or Trachypithecus poliocephalus, which give a particular interest to this island because they are an endangered species. The langurs have grown from a population of nearly 3,000 to less than 70 today. It has been protected since the year 2000. Cat Ba has turned to summer tourism with its accommodation and beaches.
Cave of the Surprise (Hang Sung Sot)
Hang Sung Son takes its name from the French who discovered this cave and who were surprised by its size and beauty. It is indeed the largest cave of Halong Bay, located on the Island of Savonnier (Bo Hon). It is a very popular tourist site with an infrastructure and centres of interest adapted and oriented for the visitors. From the pier, you can see a balcony suitable for photo shooting. Entering the cave, you will be surprised by the height of the ceiling (30m): it is a huge place full of stalagmites and stalactites, and rocks sometimes takes form of surprising shapes (like the shape of a turtle, symbol of longevity or in the form of a foot), assisted by the play of light in multiple colours.
Cave of the Virgin (Hang Trinh Nude)
Hang Trinh Nu is a cave located on the Island of Savonnier (Bo Hon). Several legends feed this cave: the best known is that of a couple’s star struck love. A fisherman and his beautiful other half’s true love was forbidden and the woman was forced into marriage with another man, that drove the woman into a sadness that became eternal. You can see a rock lying on the ground reminiscent of this virgin immersed in her endless sleep. Another legend tells the story of a fisherman who goes to sea and who, on his return, cannot find his bride. Worried, the beautiful woman had instead gone, in search of her love. Despite the cries of calls and distress, the couple will never see each other again. The breath of wind on the cliffs and the walls of the cave remind us of these calls of sadness.
Cave of the Heavenly Palace (Dong Thien Cung)
Dong Thieu Cung is located on the island of Dau Go. Like many caves of Halong Bay, it is accompanied by a legend. Legend goes that, after the marriage between the Dragon King and Mai – beautiful girl in the name of Cloud in Vietnamese, the cave was transformed into a festive scene. Little dragons, elephants, eagles and snakes, danced among the rocks, stalactites and stalagmites, for seven days and seven nights. Today we can still see these natural frescoes painted on the walls of the cave, which, accompanied by the sound of winds, plunges us into this legendary atmosphere. In the centre of the cave there are four pillars reminiscent of the Dragon’s home.
Hang Dau Go Cave or Grotte des Merveilles
Hang Dau Go is located on the Island of Wooden Tips. In 1288, during the Battle of Bach Dang, Vietnamese General Tran Hung Dao prepared to confront the Mongolian fleet using spears placed along the Bach Dang River, and studying the tidal conditions. This battle was decisive because it led to the end of the invasion of the Yuan Dynasty. Several spears are still found in this cave. Rocks and sediments give various human forms such as a turtle or a bonze. In 1917, a steel is placed in the cave to witness the wonder of King Khai Dinh of Vietnam. At the bottom of the cave is a well of fresh water.
Pelican Cave (Hang Bo Nau)
Hang Bo Nau is a cave that opens to the sea. The entrance to the cave is shaped like a frog jaw. It is the favorite place of pelican’s nests. By the way, Bo Nau means ‘horde of pelicans’. The cave is often invaded by these birds, in a space of 200m². The fresh air and the echoes of the striking waves the cliffs, cross and weave between the stalagmites and stalactites, that cover the walls of the cave.
Fighting Cock Island (Hon Trong Mai)
Located in the southwest of the Halong Bay Vietnam, Hon Trong Mai is an islet that literally means ‘fighting cock’. It has been chosen as the symbol of the Bay, with its junk-shaped silhouette. Millions of years of erosion and powerful waves have not cut down the thin lower part of the rock that still stands today, the huge block of stone. The islands’ name is inspired by that power that the rooster has in his claws.
Crapaud Island (Hon Con Coc)
Hon Con Coc is an islet located southeast of Halong Bay. Real work of nature, it has the shape of a toad 8m high, in the middle of this beautiful stretch of water, his gaze turns to the sky.
Tuan Chau Island
The island of Tuan Cau is an island rich in archaeological sites with objects dating back to between 3,000 and 5,000 years ago. With its pines and white sand, it is a popular tourist destination with its beaches and attractions (golf, sports center, rural walk).
Co To Island
The island of Co To was opened to community tourism in 2010 by the creation of a 362 m long road, which symbolizes the economic development of a seaside resort. With its many campsites, you can land along the road to watch people go by, or take this path to get to the beach. The many hotels are next to the B&Bs, where live at home has become a must in Vietnam. From the top of the mountain, one can see the untouched nature of this island.