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 Halong
Bay is a body of water of approximately 1,500 square kilometres
in north Vietnam with a 120 kilometre coastline, in the Gulf of
Tonkin near the border with China, and 170 kilometres east of Hanoi.
"Vinh Ha Long" — Halong Bay—means "Bay
of the Descending Dragon" in the Vietnamese language.
Ha Long Bay, February 2003The bay consists of a dense cluster
of 1,969 limestone monolithic islands, each topped with thick jungle
vegetation, which rise spectacularly from the ocean. Several of
the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. Hang Dau Go (Wooden
stakes Cave) is the largest grotto in the Halong area. French tourists
visited in the late 19th century, and named the cave Grotte des
Merveilles. Its three large chambers contain large numerous stalactites
and stalagmites (as well as 19th century French graffiti).
Some of the islands support floating villages of fishermen, who
ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different
kinds of mollusks. Many of the islands have acquired their names
as a result of interpretation of their unusual shapes: such names
include Voi Islet (elephant), Ga Choi Islet (fighting cock), and
Mai Nha Islet (roof). 989 of the islands have been given names.
Birds and animals including bantams, antelopes, monkeys, and iguanas
also live on some of the islands.
The bay was World Heritage listed by UNESCO at the 18th meeting
of the Committee of the World Heritages of UNESCO (in Thailand on
December 17th, 1994). It is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist
destinations.
Ha Long Bay, October 2003 Halong Bay has been the setting for
local naval battles against Vietnam's coastal neighbours. On three
occasions in the labyrinth of channels between the islands the Vietnamese
army stopped the Chinese from landing. In 1288 General Tran Hung
Dao stopped Mongol ships from sailing up the nearby Bach Dang River
by placing steel-tipped wooden stakes at high tide, sinking the
Mongol Dubhai Khan's fleet.
During the Vietnam War, many of the channels between the islands
were heavily mined by the navy of the United States, some of which
pose a threat to shipping to this day.
The surrounding land region of Halong City is rich with high grade
coal deposits, and is operated by the Vietnamese government.
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