A Halong Bay Cruise


In Vietnam's northeast, a 3½-hour drive from Hanoi through the verdant rice field of the Red River delta, “Descending Dragon Bay” has been twice recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vietnam. First was in 1994 for the outstanding beauty of its seascape, covering more than 1,500 square kilometers of more than 1,600 towering, jungle-clad, vertical limestone islets, hiding many cave such as Sung Sot and "Surprise Cave" - all of it a breathtaking sight any time, and mysterious looking in the late-afternoon fog. The second time in 2000 it was recognized for its special value in geography and geology, as the consequence of sedimentation over 200 million years, as when million tons of water pressurized dead shellfish on the sea bottom. Due to earthquakes, tectonic plates collided and made the area rise up out of the sea, whereupon millions of years of erosion and weathering by waves and rain resulted in the distinctive rock formations we see today.

There's no better way to begin or wrap up your Vietnam holiday than a cruise to enjoy the natural beauty of the landscape of Halong Bay. There are different options, and the best possible way to have it organized by a local travel agent. If you little time, it's possible to experience Halong Bay with a day cruise, but you have more time it it's much more relaxing and enjoyable cruising for two days/one. These cruises offer not only dramatic bay views but also great onboard activities like cooking demonstration on the sundeck, along with exploring caves, paddling kayaks to the beaches, and more.

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