Ha Loang Bay (Ha Long By) - Vietnam

Seen from above, Ha long Bay resembles a light blue handkerchief dotted with emeralds. The bay cover only 1,553 squares kilometers yet has 1,969 islands. The artistic hand of creation made islands that look like people, animals and familiar objects. Trong Mai (Cock and Hen) resembles a pair of chickens bobbing in the water; Rua (Turtle) is a giant tortoise with half-closed eyes. Ong su (The Monk) looks like an old monk, his face turn out to sea as he clasps his hands in prayer to Buddha and Đinh Huong (Incense Urn) is like a giant incense burner atop the altar of the sea.

 
Ha Long bay is the deep blue during all seasons. In spring, the islands seem to bob on the water. As summer approaches, they appear to  awaken in unison and rise from the blue depths. Fig trees and orchids in cracks along the rocky faces bloom with snowy flower. Boats take tourists anytime of year along meandering channels through the forest of  islands. Sometimes, a rock face seems to block the route. However, once the boats come nearer, the wall appears to crack open as if to let boats pass. One scene disappears as yet another panorama opens. The winding route feels endless.

Ha Long bay has  a rich collection of grottoes and caves concentrated mostly in the UNESCO- protected area. Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace Grotto) feels modern and refined while Đau Go ( Timber Hiding Cave) is ample and grandiose and Sung Sot (Amazing Cave) seem deeply secretive. Many sites – such as Đong Tien (Fairy Grotto) Lake and Trinh Nu and Trong (Virgin and Male) Grottoes  – are linked to legends and popular tales. Each cave is a grandiose yet refined architectural creation of nature.

At sun set, the mountain shadows stretch out across the bay and the water turns grey-blue before suddenly changing to crimson with the sun’s last rays. For an instant, the landscape becomes one color and then sunlight disappears. After the moon climbs into the sky, the sea seems coated with silver, with the lights of  Ha Long city reflect off the water.

- Beaches in Vietnam -

- Bays in Vietnam -

Travel of Vietnam - The country and people

Diversity and peaceful is the most impress in the travel of Vietnam

Vietnam’s diversity includes both natural landscapes and many different ethnic groups. After years of war ending from 1975, it is now safe and secure for those who want to travel for Vietnam.

Vietnam is a long “S” – shaped country bordering the Eastern Sea. Vietnamese describe their country as two large baskets of rice hanging from a carrying pole made of bamboo. The two “rice baskets” are the Red River Delta in the north and the Mekong Delta in the south. The “carry pole” is the Truong Son mountain range in the narrow center of the country. Vietnam’s history of land reclamation, land protection and irrigation for wet-rice cultivation extends back many centuries. These practices among the majority ethnic Kinh (Vietnamese) as well as among some of the ethnic – minority groups created a special tie to the land and a tradition of both self-determination and a strong local community.

Farmer in Vietnam carrying rice home 

The Vietnamese people’s love for their country arises from the sacrifice they and their ancestors made as they blazed trails through the dangerous Truong Son mountain range and over Ngang pass in Quang Binh province, the Hai Van pass in Thua Thien-Hue province and the Ca pass in Phu Yen province. Tourist visiting Vietnam’s many fascinating sites will be even more intrigued if they delve beyond a given site’s natural beauty to study its history and culture.