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A
natural
wonder of the world and one of Vietnam’s
five UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
magnificent
Halong
Bay- Vietnam lies
160km to the east of Hanoi. Over three
thousand jagged limestone islands emerge
from the emerald green waters of Halong Bay.
While some islands are no more than large
rocks others are much more substantial and
contain huge cathedral-like caves of
stalactites and stalagmites. Most of the
islands are clothed in thick green
vegetation and ring with the sound of bird
song in the early morning. Secluded sandy
coves are everywhere and in the summer
months the warm waters of the bay are ideal
for swimming. Halong’s largest island, and
one of the few that are inhabited, is
Cat
Ba which
has some nice beaches and a national park on
it.
The
best way to appreciate the delights of
Halong Bay is to cruise among the islands on
a wooden junk. Fresh seafood can be bought
from the local fishermen directly from their
rowing boats and cooked up for a delicious
lunch. For a real Indochine of old
experience cruise the bay’s emerald waters
in style with
Emeraude Classic Cruises
on board their wonderfully nostalgic
37-cabin replica steamship.
Around
50km south of Halong Bay is Haiphong,
Vietnam’s third largest city and northern Vietnam’s main port.
Despite being a largely industrial city, the centre of Haiphong has
many classic French colonial buildings, wide tree-lined streets and
some pleasant parks. Haiphong is a good overnight alternative for
visitors to Halong Bay and boats can be taken from Haiphong’s
harbor.
Halong Bay Vietnam Highlights
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Explore hidden
caves containing fantastic rock formations thousands of
years old by wooden junk
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Relax on a beach
in a sandy cove and swim in the warm green waters of the
bay
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Haiphong for its unspoilt colonial city centre |
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