Situated in the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is one of todays New Seven Wonders of Nature. Ancient myth claims that a dragon was responsible for its formation but the facts lie within the rocks. The area offers stunning views of over 1,600 limestone karsts, or towering, eroded landmasses, and attracts tourists from around the world. Pillars can be seen in clusters or as individual islands. Due to the formation of the landscape, most of the islands are uninhabited. The vertical nature of each rock means they will likely remain untouched by humans

Vietnam is located near active tectonic plates. Over 500 million years ago the area was completely underwater. Over time the mountains were created by on and off periods of inverse motion. The tectonic activity laid the foundation for a shallow sea.

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