Wednesday 14 January 2015

Halong Bay Cruises

The lofty sedimentary rock cliffs that are distinct into perfection by the eternal ocean produce a bird's eye view that you simply can keep in mind for an extended time. this can be the rationale why thousands of photographers from the four corners of the globe visit it annually to capture pictures of impressive landscapes of the bay.

The bay consists of huge islands and one,969 inexperienced islets that are available a spread of sizes and shapes, to not mention the attractive lineation that stretched as way as 120km. Cruising round the deep blue ocean of the Halong region whereas keeping your eyes glad with exciting views throughout your Halong Bay tour can beyond question win over you that's so a paradise.

Activities to try and do in Halong Bay


1. Explore the Islands - Ride a wood Junk


Sailing a awfully} junk boat can offer you pleasant expertise and can build your Halong Bay vacation a very special one. The boat itself is specifically designed for kings! it's a eating building, spacious cabins, and a massage and spa parlor that may give all the luxurious that you simply want throughout your swaggering voyage. betting on the getaway package you've got designated, the junk boat can stop at specific islands and can offer you adequate time to explore them. Taking some time to walk around these islands can offer you a glimpse of truth great thing about nature. every island has one thing distinctive to supply, a number of them have exotic caves and scenic lakes that may build your visit worthy.

2. Check-out the Caves - Go Spelunking

The islands of Halong bay is that the habitation place of exquisite caves that may offer you a tremendous spelunking expertise that you simply will treasure for several years to return. The Sung drunk cave which accurately means that 'Amazing Cave' lives by its name since each guests and vacationers area unit stuffed with feeling whereas guiding their eyes round the inventive types of stalagmites and stalactites that may be seen in each a part of the cave.

The cave is gigantic and it'll take you quite 100 stone steps before your reach its aperture that splits into 2 chambers. the primary chamber may be compared to a arena that's adorned by stalactites that's hanging from the ceiling. The second chamber permits natural lightweight to taste an outsized gap from higher than and be filtered therefore giving the entire chamber a fascinating look. There area unit alternative caves in Halong bay that may grab and arouse your interest and a few of them area unit Bo Nau, Thien Cung, and Dau Go cave.

The extraordinary caves, the elegant junk boats and also the fantastic landscapes that make excellent sceneries area unit the highest reasons why Halong Bay has been enclosed within the New7Wonders of Nature.

The most standard traveler attraction of Vietnam that is Halong Bay world heritage. Cruising round the deep blue ocean of the Halong region whereas keeping your eyes glad with exciting views throughout your Halong Bay tour Vietnam can beyond question win over you that Halong Bay is so a paradise.

origin vietnam

Origin Vietnam could be a country full with exciting natural beauty and ancient civilizations that are preserved for hundreds of years. Vietnam offers a good type of sights, sounds, cuisines, and adventures for any WHO journey to it's good cities and villages.

Halong Bay, a World Heritage web site of outstanding natural beauty is a vital expertise for the Vietnam traveller. It options nearly 2000 islands and islets nesting within the calm emerald inexperienced waters of the Tonkin Gulf within the South China Seas. All of the islands ar of sedimentary rock and dolomite and that they cowl and space of 1500 sq. kilometer. Tours ar obtainable to commence a conventional vogue wood junk. A contemporary ocean food lunch is served on the boat throughout your cruise. because the tour continues you may then visit the Thien Cung & Dau Go caves. These boast a number of the foremost spectacular tales and characters fossilised into the grot.

Hanoi, which suggests "the boondocks between the rivers", could be a sacred land of Vietnam. Hanoi preserved several ancient beaux arts sites and over 600 pagodas and temples, together with the noted One Pillar temple. whereas in Hanoi explore the cultural history of the Temple of Literature, Hanoi bastion, Hanoi house, and President metal Chi Minh's burial chamber. Hanoi conjointly contains eighteen pristine lakes with their borders of trees and gardens. several ancient hand crafts ar still practiced in Hanoi together with silver carving, bronze molding, lacquer, and silk embroidery.

For history buffs take and excursion to the metal Chi region and metal Chi Tunnels outside metal Chi Minh town (formerly called Saigon). this is often the huge underground network of tunnels designed as a defence against the French, and later dilated throughout the American/Vietnam war. it had been from here that the North Vietnamese carried on their guerrilla warfare with hidden trapdoors and a colossal expanse of hid living areas. the chance is obtainable for those daring to dig in to the second and third level tunnels. make certain to bring smart walking shoes for this tour.

Hue, the previous Imperial Capital hosted 13 Nguyen phratry Emperors. one amongst the foremost noted sights in Hue is that the Thien alphabetic character temple, associate degree polygon tower consisting of seven tiers settled jubilantly over the fragrance stream. it's the unofficial image of this former capitol. Continue down the stream by boat to go to the place of Minh Mang, noted for it's combination of natural beauty and design. Vietnam's high traveller destinations provide enchanting reminiscences for everybody.

Not far from Hue lies Hoi associate degree, associate degree ancient commercialism city whose design has been fondly preserved. settled on the banks on a stream shortly from a spectacular beach, it's a good place to combine a cultural expertise with a decent beach vacation.

Friday 19 December 2014

halong bay cruise vietnam

With its spectacular dry land of islands eminent out of misty water, Halong Bay takes the breath away with its mysterious nonetheless enthralling beauty. These 3,000 naturally-formed sedimentary rock pillars, referred to as karst, area unit what create Halong Bay a novel place not found anyplace else within the world, and recognized by UN agency as a World Heritage web site in 1994. Here, you'll explore a landscape of fascinating caves, arches and lakes, crammed with rare life.

Karst don't seem to be distinctive in Asia, as these sedimentary rock towers are found in Thailand's Krabi island and China's Guilin region. however Vietnam's Halong Bay leaves different karst formations within the mud, because the islets here fill the complete bay as way because the eye will see, virtually sort of a civilisation that has been submerged by the ocean. a number of these islands are therefore giant that they need lakes, beaches and forests crammed with animals.

Located in Northeastern Vietnam, Halong Bay is a hundred sixty five kilometers from Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, and forms a region of the Gulf of Tonkin. it's potential to arrive by land via Halong town, however the most effective thanks to come back is truly by boat from capital of Vietnam, that conjointly offers pretty ocean views on the manner and also the chance to pay an evening sleeping on a ship. International cruises conjointly ofttimes come back this manner, transportation guests to shore to go to the islands.

With its delicate tropical climate, Halong Bay may be a great spot to go to at any time all year spherical. It will have a winter season, however temperatures usually not often dip below 10°C, typically staying between the vary of 15°C to 25°C. Frequent downfall within the months of Gregorian calendar month, March and April mean that the air within the bay can feel dampish however cool, and a romantic fog can collapse the water, shrouding the islands in its distinctive mist. within the hotter months, guests ought to expect abrupt thunderstorms, which might have an effect on cruises and water activities looking on severity.

It is unlikely nowadays to check any dragons in Halong Bay, however the bay may be a place packed with variety. The islands and outline area unit lined with stunning rainforests wherever life lovers will spot several species of colourful birds and amphibians. Underwater, it's a marine paradise of corals and plenty of species of fish and marine animals, together with the sea cow.

Unfortunately, the natural wealth and sweetness of Halong Bay has conjointly created it a target for people who want to take advantage of its resources. Today, it's at risk of losing a lot of of its glorious aura as a result of the pressure of overfishing and searching within the space. Game hunters area unit quick reducing the populations of rare animals, whereas several red coral and shells within the ocean area unit being ripped intent on develop into souvenirs and trinkets for tourists.

The government has tried to place a stop to the present by making national parks and reserves to safeguard the bay, however guests will play a region by rejecting wasteful exploitation and clasp a additional environmentally-friendly type of eco-tourism. solely then will they make sure that the attractive Halong Bay can stay a treasure that may be unbroken for future generations to return.

Budgeted Cruise and Tours

if you're considering a visit to Halong Bay, you wish to envision out the various cruises that square measure accessible. you may notice that you simply have several choices, together with short day journeys and extended stays. you'll be able to opt for which kind of boat, that stops you would like to create, and also the length of your trip, which suggests that you simply will notice a tour that completely suits your travel desires.


Sights

Most boats go slowly through the bay so everybody will absorb the impressive sites. However, every tour has completely different destinations. as an example, some might stop by Dragon Cave whereas others stop at stunning Cave. Some cruises give kayaks for tourists to get pleasure from, whereas others stop at floating villages. Still others prefer to stop at fish farms so tourists will catch their own meals and have them ready to eat. Discvover the attractions through halong bay cruise
Budget Tours

Budget tours square measure a good possibility for those that don't desire to pay lots of cash as they read the scenery around Halong Bay. whereas some budget cruises square measure nice, others square measure crowded  and clattery. Most of them provide long stays on the water or on a beach, and that they give meals as you travel. you'll be able to still purchase souvenirs and meals from water vendors and at the beaches, otherwise you will pack your own meals.

Mid-line Cruises

Mid-line cruises square measure good for those that don't desire to pay a lot of cash however still desire a nice expertise. The tour guides square measure usually a trifle additional talkative and should speak additional English. These tours move to several of identical caves and beaches, however they'll provide longer for swimming and kayaking. Mid-line cruises square measure often less crowded  than budget tours, and that they do not develop as several day trippers. The cruise operators may additionally  be additional willing to create special stops at the request of passengers, like associate degree impromptu hiking trip on a number of the mountains. Meals and lodging square measure enclosed within the value.

Luxury Cruises

These high finish cruises give a trifle additional privacy and quality with the upper value. Tourists square measure usually picked up by a ferry and transported to the boat, whereas alternative tours might need passengers to steer through many boats so as to achieve the acceptable junk. you will even have additional area on the boat since there will not be as several passengers. The rooms square measure a trifle nicer than those on the mid-line cruises, and that they square measure higher suited to traveling families.



Wednesday 17 December 2014

Halong Bay, Vietnam: the best way to visit

The dragon, sent by the Jade Emperor, descended from heaven into the sea, and sprayed a thousand pearls from its mouth. From these cascading pearls, the 1,600 shaggy limestone stacks of Halong Bay emerged, a huge curvature of jumbled karst fortress designed to protect Vietnam from invaders in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Most visitors to Vietnam sail past the rocky outcrops - some soaring 100m high - on boat cruises, but last month Vietnam’s first tourism seaplane launched, flying visitors over the Unesco world heritage site and giving them spectacular dragon-eye views.
Hai Au Aviation’s Cessna Grand Caravan, carrying 10 passengers, flies low over the entire panoramic karst fest - a vast area of 43,400 ha of drowned limestone karst some 165 km from the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi in northern Vietnam.
The towering outcrops of Halong Bay, which means ‘where the dragon descends to the sea’, dwarfed the pleasure boats on their overnight cruises and from the air the forested boulders now looked like mossy lumps and bumps - the stepping stones of a giant, plopped on an emerald green pond.
As a passenger on the first flight, I could see parts of the bay not visible from a cruise boat - lush, sculpted valleys and hidden lakes which shimmered in the late afternoon sun. It was like glimpsing a primeval land untouched since the mother goddess of Vietnam Au Co, and the dragon prince, Lac Long Quan, met on earth thousands of years ago before they gave birth to the ancestors of modern Vietnam.
The new seaplane service also takes visitors to the bay from Hanoi airport - a 30 minute flight compared to four hours by road - before landing at the local marina. From here, visitors board different cruises, with varying price tags, to explore Halong Bay by boat.
Designated a Unesco world heritage site 20 years ago this year, the bay is one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist attractions. It is only recently though, that a small number of cruise boats have ventured further east into the Gulf of Tonkin, to the outer rocky flanks of Bai Tu Long.
I escaped the congestion of Halong Bay with Bhaya's three-day cruise to Bai Tu Long on the Au Co with her 32 handsome wood cabins with balconies.

The white ship (in a mysterious move, authorities ordered all the boats in the bay to be painted white, the same colour as the fog that can envelop the area) heads first to Bai Tu Long, the outer battlements of the limestone fort, before cruising back through Halong Bay at the end of the trip.
Bai Tu Long means ‘the place where the dragon children descended’. It's an isolated, otherworldly, remote area of the gulf, scattered with knobbly peaks, pillars fringed with untidy twigs, solid limestone sentinels cut with sheer bare-faced rock and, every once in a while, an apron of creamy sand seen tied to the base of the towers.
We cruised to one of these - Vung Ha Beach - a crescent-shaped bay at the base of a crouching outcrop with jagged, castellated peaks. After kayaking through the undercut of a nearby stack, we abandoned the paddles and dived in to the warm, papaya green waters. After a long soak, it was time to sit on coral-shattered sands that were perfumed by the fragrance of a white bloom floating over the beach.
Back on board, we supped on the happy hour flow of cocktails and Hanoi beer with the Au Co guests, hailing from Australia, Europe, America and Vietnam. At dusk, when the wings of the golden crow - the sun of Vietnam's creation story - hovered over the unkempt rocky lumps, fishing boats puttered by and sampans slouched under the overhangs. Then, when the graceful swan of the moon ascended, all that was visible in this distant spot away from other tour boats were the dying violet clouds and inky black outlines of limestone monoliths. The stars hung very far away in the intensely black sky and the small wake of the fishing boats caused the moonlight to shimmer in slithers, making it look as if stars were dropping into the waters.
Our breakfast in the Au Co dining room came with more spectacular views as we cruised just metres past the scattered islands of Bai Tu Long. Some of the pillars were jagged like the scales of a mythical dragon, some just stumps, others appeared in traditional jelly-mould shape and some like a batch of misshapen rock cakes. In the distance, we spied a dense army of lead grey pillars studded with the tufts of hardy plants glued to the vertical shafts of the rock.
Sheltered in a barnacled corner of Bai Tu Long is Vung Vieng village. In an attempt to control pollution in the bay, fisherman have either been exported to land or corralled into floating communities by the government. We boarded bamboo boats so the locals could row us around their village and oyster pearl farming plots. Au Co’s Mr Tuan explained: “Locals sell these pearls for jewellery, cosmetics, and medicine. It takes a year to 18 months to cultivate pearls but only around 30 per cent of the farmed oysters grow pearls.”

After being rowed around Vung Vieng and a lot of leisurely sitting around under the canvas umbrellas of the Au Co, we all felt it was time to exercise - but not before feasting for lunch. The Au Co’s cuisine is based on the Taoist philosophy of balance and harmony and our five course meals included delicate dragon fruit and Phan Thiet scallops, grilled minced Halong fish on lemon grass, chicken roulade with onion cream, and an intense passion fruit panacotta.
Stomachs full, we moored off the south-east corner of Cat Ba, the largest island in Halong Bay, a colossal karst platform, straggled by smaller tiny islands, and home to a rare and endemic primate.
“In 1960, there were 2,700 Cat Ba langurs, but they’ve all been eaten,” Mr Tuan told us. “Since 2000, the number has increased from 53 to 65, and there is now good conservation education in the local villages.”
Accompanied by zooming green dragonflies, we biked through a Jurassic Park wonderland of limestone walls flanked with feral plants and bushes to Viet Hai, a small, repopulated village where the Au Co employs locals at its organic farm. We didn’t see any primates above ground but below ground was a different story.

Halong Bay’s grottoes have been visited since the French discovered them more than 100 years ago. At Hang Sung Sot (Surprise Cave), Mr Tuan pointed out the subterranean images seen in the whipped up floors and ceilings of the chambers - Kong Kong’s face was here, a turtle symbolising longevity there, and the tail of a dragon rippled above our heads. It reminded us, again, of Halong’s ‘descending dragon’ and its protection of this extraordinary Unesco landscape.




ref:-  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/vietnam/11165577/Halong-Bay-Vietnam-the-best-way-to-visit.html



halong bay cruise origin vietnam

halong bay cruise origin vietnam

Are you on vacation? If you're on vacation, then perhaps you're probing for a fun factor to try and do throughout your free time. once months of labor and defrayment long and nerve-wracking hours at the workplace, you ought to make certain that your vacation are going to be worthy. one among the foremost well-liked ways that of paying time throughout vacations is by occurring a visit. If you're probing for an area wherever you'll relax and revel in, then Halong Bay Cruise is one among your best choices.

Halong Bay Cruise is settled at the northeastern region of Vietnam. it's one hundred eighty kilometer east of capital of Vietnam and may be reached by automobile for roughly 3-4 hour. drive from there. The Bay is ready in Gulf of Tonkin.

Top Attractions in Halong Bay

If you actually need to possess associate degree escape kind the trendy world wherever cars and sound of machineries square measure what you see and listen to on a daily basis, then you want to move to Halong Bay. The Bay is enclosed within the list of United Nations agency world heritage website and one among the foremost well-liked tourer spot lately. There square measure several attractions within the Bay which may create your visit worthy and here square measure a number of them:

Cat Ba Island: this can be the foremost well-liked attraction in Halong Bay and it's continually enclosed within the tour packages that square measure offered by varied corporations. Cat Ba Island is well-liked for its caves and it additionally legendary that the island may be a home for several species like Cat Ba Old World monkey. The island is additionally full of restaurants, bars and hotels wherever you'll take a rest once defrayment each day exploring the island.
Floating Villages: it should sound unbelievable, however it's true that there's a village within the ocean. If you're interested in this village then you ought to take a tour at Halong Bay and you may see that a lot of locals live in floating homes. you'll additionally attempt defrayment an evening at those floating homes since the community offers home- stays for an inexpensive value.
Bon Hon Island's Virgin Cave: this can be one among the foremost well-liked caves in Halong Bay. The cave is legendary as a result of its shrine. There square measure several stories and legends concerning the origins of the shrine. A legend claims that there's a reasonably girl WHO took her own life within the cave as a result of she was being forced to marry associate degree recent Mandarin. Her body has ne'er been brought home and as time passed it absolutely was changed into a stone. Another legend with the same story tells that a Mandarin tried to force a woman to marry him as a result of her father could not pay his debt. The lady at liberty however a fisher found the girl's remains on the Island. They buried the body within the Island and engineered atiny low shrine within the grot. this can be the explanation why the cave is named a Virgin as a result of the lady died a virgin.

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Deep in Vietnam

The buses will take you to one of three ports. These include Haiphong, Halong City, and Cai Rong. After you arrive at a port, you will need to buy a boat ticket or rent a boat. If you are traveling with a group this would be a great option because you could enjoy a more private experience. Be warned, make sure to shop around before you decide.
If you are traveling with a smaller group or alone, it is recommended that you book a package deal. These packages include bus tickets and boat tickets for one price. You can purchase these packages in Hanoi's city center. Do not worry, these buses and boats may look pretty runned down, but are relatively safe. Packages range from one day experiences to three or more days. You will need at least two days to really see the bay, so make sure to pack an overnight bag.
Some of the backpacker hostels will sell packages for 3 days/ 2 nights for around $200. If you go with one of these, there will definitely be a lot of action going on. If you are okay with a smaller group, try to book your trip in one of the smaller travel agencies. You will get the best price and could even do a package deal with a trip to the Sapa Rice Terraces.
Boat trips allow tourists to see the bay as a whole.
(Photo : Dennis Jarvis) Boat trips allow tourists to see the bay as a whole.
Weather conditions can affect your trip a lot. This makes it really important to check the weather before you book or plan your trip, you do not want to be on the water in the middle of a storm. Also remember that during high tourist season, October to November, there will be a lot of people touring the bay and prices will be higher. Low season may be less crowded and cheaper, but it will be cooler.
While booking your boat tickets or packages, make sure to ask what type of experience the trip is. If you are looking to party all day and night, make sure you book a boat trip that will allow you to do that. If you are looking for a more calm and relaxed experience, make sure that is what you are getting. Halong Bay tends to attract young backpackers looking to party, so be cautious.
Ha Long Bay has over 1,600 islands to see.
(Photo : Paul Phung (Flickr)) Ha Long Bay has over 1,600 islands to see.
Visiting the bay gives you the opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery. There is nothing like it. There are also many spots where you can kayak, swim and visit the islands. There are groups who will take you hiking to the top of one of the islands of that interests you. If you are not into water sports, then curl up with a book on the boat while you pass the islands. There is something for everyone.
Overall visiting Ha Long Bay is a must if you are traveling in Northern Vietnam or Southern China. Make sure to check for prices from a couple of places before you book and be a little adventurous.