Ha Long Bay
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ha Long Bay (1994, Extended 2000). A Seascape Of About 1,600 Limestone Karst Islands And Islets, With Caves, Lagoons And Floating Fishing Villages, One Of The New Seven Wonders Of Nature (2012). Visited By Day Cruise Or Overnight Junk. · Ha Long, Quang Ninh
Ha Long Bay is a seascape of about 1,600 limestone islands and islets rising from the green water of the Gulf of Tonkin, listed by UNESCO in 1994 and named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The towers are old drowned karst, hollowed by caves and lagoons, and the usual way to see them is on a wooden-style junk boat that sails from Bai Chay or Tuan Chau harbour, either for a day or overnight. The classic route is the busiest, with Sung Sot cave, Ti Top Island and kayaking at Luon cave. Lan Ha Bay, reached from Cat Ba Island, has the same scenery with calmer water and fewer boats, and Bai Tu Long Bay to the north-east is quieter still. The bay is about 165 km from Hanoi, close to three hours by road on the new expressway. Weather decides everything here: mist, typhoons and closures are normal, the cheapest boats are crowded, and the water near the harbours carries rubbish and heavy traffic. Choose the operator and the route with care, and book the sailing with a spare day in hand, as storms cancel trips.
Bay of about 1,600 limestone islands in the Gulf of Tonkin, entered from Bai Chay and Tuan Chau harbours at the city of Ha Long about 165 km east of Hanoi, Ha Long, Quang Ninh, Vietnam
The bay is open all year, but sailing depends on weather, and the authorities close it to cruises in storms and typhoon warnings, mostly June to November. Day cruises leave from the harbours in the morning and return mid-afternoon, and overnight junks board around midday. Caves have set daytime hours and tickets. Confirm sailing the day before.