With its spectacular archipelago of islands towering out of misty
water, Halong Bay takes the breath away with its mysterious yet
enchanting beauty. These 3,000 naturally-formed limestone pillars, known
as karst, are what make Halong Bay a unique place not found anywhere
else in the world, and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in
1994. Here, you can explore a landscape of fascinating caves, arches and
lakes, filled with rare wildlife.
Karst are not unique in Asia,
as these limestone towers are also found in Thailand's Krabi island and
China's Guilin region. But Vietnam's Halong Bay leaves other karst
formations in the dust, as the islets here fill the entire bay as far as
the eye can see, almost like a civilisation that has been drowned by
the ocean. Some of these islands are also so large that they have lakes,
beaches and forests filled with animals.
Located in Northeastern
Vietnam, Halong Bay is 165 kilometers from Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, and
forms a part of the Gulf of Tonkin. It is possible to arrive by land
via Halong City, but the best way to come is actually by boat from
Hanoi, which also offers lovely sea views on the way and the opportunity
to spend a night sleeping on a boat. International cruises also
frequently come this way, bringing visitors to shore to visit the
islands.
With its mild tropical climate, Halong Bay is a great
place to visit at any time all year round. It does have a winter season,
but temperatures typically hardly ever dip below 10°C, usually staying
between the range of 15°C to 25°C. Frequent rainfall in the months of
February, March and April mean that the air in the bay will feel moist
but cool, and a romantic fog will fall over the water, shrouding the
islands in its distinctive mist. In the hotter months, visitors should
expect sudden thunderstorms, which can affect cruises and water
activities depending on severity.
It is unlikely today to see any
dragons in Halong Bay, but the bay is a place full of biodiversity. The
islands and coastline are covered with beautiful rainforests where
wildlife lovers can spot many species of colorful birds and amphibians.
Underwater, it is a marine paradise of corals and many endangered
species of fish and marine animals, including the dugong.
Unfortunately,
the natural wealth and beauty of Halong Bay has also made it a target
for those who wish to exploit its resources. Today, it is in danger of
losing much of its magnificent aura due to the pressure of overfishing
and hunting in the area. Game hunters are fast reducing the populations
of rare animals, while many precious coral and shells in the sea are
being ripped out to turn into souvenirs and trinkets for tourists.
The
government has tried to put a stop to this by creating national parks
and reserves to protect the bay, but visitors can play a part by
rejecting wasteful exploitation and embracing a more
environmentally-friendly form of eco-tourism. Only then can they ensure
that the beautiful Halong Bay will remain a treasure that can be kept
for future generations to come.
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