DISCOVER HALONG BAY IN YOUR STYLE !

DISCOVER HALONG BAY IN YOUR STYLE !

Halong bay or the bay of the Descending Dragon is often touted by proud Vietnamese as the world's Eighth wonder. One of the main attractions of Halong is the bay's calm water and the thousands of limestone mountains dotting the seascape. 

The Bay's water is clear during the spring and early summer. Some of the islands are quite large and there are small alcoves with sandy beaches where swimming is possible. Halong bay lies in the north-east of Vietnam and is 160 km from Hanoi.

Halong literally means descending dragons and according to local myth, the story goes as follows: Once upon a time, soon after the Viet people established their country, invaders came. The Jade Emperor sent a Mother Dragon and her Children down to earth to help Viet people fight against their enemy. As the invaders' boats were rushing to the shore, the dragons landed down on earth. They immediately spat out jewels and jade as beautiful as a handful of mens tungsten wedding bands. Upon hitting the sea, these jewels turned into the various islands and islets dotting the seascape and formed a formidable fortress against the invaders. The locals were able to keep their land safe and formed what is now the country of Vietnam. 

The Dragon family fell so much in love with this area for its calm water and for the reverence of the people of Vietnam that they decided to remain on earth. Mother dragon lies on what is now Halong bay and where her children lie is Bai Tu Long bay. The dragon tails formed the area of Bach Long Vi known for the miles of white sandy beaches of Tra Co peninsula 

This myth is in line with the Vietnamese myth of their origin Con Rong Chau Tien. This myth describes the union between a king (representing the dragon) and his bride (representing a goddess) giving birth to 100 children which are the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. The Halong myth illustrate the Vietnamese belief of their origin and the fact that throughout their history, they are aided by their ancestors, the dragon and the gods, in the defense of their land.

Van Don Travel Information

Van Don Travel Informatinon, Halong Travel Guide

About 60 km from Bai Chay resort in HaLong city, Van Don island has 600 islets, covering an area of 584 square metre. These islets form firm screens and small bays, facilitating vessels. 

Van Don Quang Ninh

Cai Rong (Cairong) Town , the major town of Van Don Island , was one of the first prosperous commercial ports under the Ly and Tran dynasties. In the recent years, Van Don has experienced great changes in its economy. The wharf is lively crowded with ships and fishing boats. Every year, ships catch hundreds of tons of fish, which assures the inhabitant significant revenues and a comfortable life. 

Visitors to Van Don island can see lovely white-sand beaches with clear blue water, the Van mountain at the height of 445 metres on Ban Sen islet and the Bai Tu Long national park on Ba Mun island. The national park boasts a primeval forest with precious trees like erythrophleum fordii, burrettiodendrom hsienmu, madhuca pasquieri, vatica tonkinensis and podocarpus fleuryi, and wild animals such as wild boars, monkeys, nemorrhides, gibbons, varans, eagles, squirrels and deers.

Unspoiled natural beauty and cultural, historical values are favorable conditions for tourism development in Van Don. Over recent years, changes have been seen with the increasing flow of tourists to Ha Long bay. Together with strength in aquaculture and fishery industries, the tourism industry will help Van Don's economy take off. In the near future, Ngoc Vung, Minh Chau, Quan Lan, Bai Tu Long park and Cai Rong town will form a maritime tourism complex with various kinds of activities such as trekking, relaxing and caves to explore. Tourists are attracted by the green water and white sand, especially at Dai beach in Cai Bau, Ngoc Vung beach, Son Hao, Quan Lan, Minh Chau beach. Tourists can stay in fishing villages and join with local residents activities.

When the bridge linking Cua ong to Cai Bau island as well as the project to build an airport and upgrade infrastructure facilities become operational, Van Don is expected to be a new destination for island tourism.

Want an independent tour and private tour, please email us at: info@vietnamtourist.org to get more Halong Travel Information and Halong Bay Tour