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- Destinations
- Asia
- Vietnam
- Hanoi
- Halong Bay
Halong Bay
The natural wonder of Halong Bay, renowned for its spectacular
scenery and limestone grottos and caves, has been declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. The bay is peppered with over 3,000 tiny
islands emerging almost mystically out of the pea green waters of
the Gulf of Tonkin, scoured by wind and wave erosion to form
dramatic rock shapes, many of which contain caves filled with
stalagmites and stalactites. Many of the islands have been named
for their astonishing resemblance to their namesakes, such as
Dragon, Incense Burner, Pair of Roosters and Man's Head Islands.
The weird protuberances have been at the source of several local
legends, particularly about the dragon whose thrashing tail created
the bay and its islands. The name Ha Long means 'where the dragon
descended into the sea'. The most impressive cave is the Hang Dau
Go (Grotto of the Wooden Stakes), an extensive grotto with rock
formations presenting various eerie images in the mysterious light.
It was named from the Battle of 1288 when General Tran Hung Dao
prepared hundreds of stakes to be planted in the riverbed of the
largest chamber to counter a boat attack. Nearby the beautiful Hang
Thien Cung cave is famous for its sparkling stalagmites and
stalactites.
Information & Facts
Admission
Day tours from Hanoi cost US$24. Overnight tours cost
anything from US$16 to US$150
Language
The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese. Some
Chinese, English and French are spoken. Tour guides can also speak
Russian and Japanese. Numerous ethnic languages are also spoken in
parts.
Money
The official currency is the Dông (VND). There are no smaller
denominations. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de
change, hotels and on the black market. Visa, MasterCard and
American Express are becoming more widely acceptable, particularly
in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but it is best not to rely on them
elsewhere. It is recommended that visitors bring travellers cheques
in US Dollars, which can be cashed at major banks in the main
cities and tourist areas. US currency acts as unofficial tender and
is useful as a back-up when banks won't cash travellers cheques
outside the main cities, but notes must be relatively new and
unmarked. Dông can be withdrawn from ATMs, which are becoming more
widespread.
Time
Local time in Vietnam is GMT +7.