Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most famous tourist attractions and was listed by UNESCO as World Natural Heritage in 1994, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The bay is filled with thousands of islets of all shapes and sizes. A wide variety of birds and animals including bantams, monkeys and iguanas live on the islands. Pearl and coral is also exploited in some areas.


 
Halong Bay is deeply entrenched in the Vietnamese national psyche, particularly as a great number of myths, legends and folklore surround the Bay. Floating fishing villages are the most popular human attraction.



 
Four hours of drive from Ha Noi via Highway 18 will lead you to the significanct Ha Long Bay which can be explored with a day trip from Ha Noi or with a two – five day trip for a deeper experience.