Ha Long Bay

One of the best consequences of “Doi Moi”, Vietnam’s policy of opening up to foreign trade and visitors, is the fact that we can all now have a chance to visit Ha Long.  Vinh Ha Long (Bay of the Descending Dragon) is rightly claimed by proud Vietnamese as the world’s eighth wonder…

Ha Long bay’s calm water and the thousands of limestone outcrops, islands and steep mountainous karsts dotting the seascape make it a truly magical place.  Some of the islands are quite large and there are small coves with sandy beaches where swimming is possible.   Like much else in Vietnam, the origins of Ha Long Bay are romantic and shrouded in the mysteries of the past.  Ha Long literally means Descending Dragon and according to local myth, the unique features of the bay were made when the gods from heaven sent a family of dragons to help defend the land.

This family of dragons descended upon Ha Long Bay and began spitting out jewels and jade formed from their teeth to create a barrier against the invader.   Upon hitting the sea, these teeth, jades and jewels turned into the various islands, outcrops and islets.  The Dragon family fell in love with the area and decided to remain on Earth. Mother dragon lies on what is now Ha Long and her children lie in Bai Tu Long. The dragon’s tails formed the area called Bach Long Vi known for the miles of white sandy beaches.

When you arrive in Ha Long city, you’ll most likely be driving along Bai Chay (Scorched Beach) and the sand on this stretch of beach is indeed very dark. Bai Chay got its name from another historical event.   In 1287, the Mongols attacked Vietnam and were driven back by general Tran Khanh Du. Many Mongolian ships were set afire and drifted towards the shore of Bai Chay, setting the forest that then surrounded the beach ablaze, and from that day onwards, it’s been known as the Scorched Beach.

From Bai Chay, you can hire a boat and go out to the bay and absorb the almost mystical qualities and the surrealistic scenery that defines this place. The limestone formations are bizarre and awesome and over thousands of years the bases of many have corroded to the point where they seem to be balancing on thin air. The shapes of these limestone sculpted islets often resemble people or animals and most have been given names by the locals, but seen from afar or above, it really is possible to believe that these incredible formations are the teeth of dragons!

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