Halong Bay is certainly one beautiful place and is easy to see why it is the country’s most sought after destinations. Literally meaning Descending Dragon Bay, the area is noted for its calm blue waters and limestone formations that majestically spring out from these waters. Cruise Halong Bay by Luxury Junk and really discover the romance and charm of this natural wonder.

Halong Bay covers an area of more than 1550 km² and consists of over 3,000 monolithic limestone islands and islets. Most are topped with thick jungle vegetation and several of these islands are hollow and houses enormous caves.

So, why is it called Descending Dragon Bay? Will dragons be flying around the area when I’m visiting Halong Bay? Who knows! Legend has it that the gods sent dragons to assist the Vietnamese people against oncoming invaders. These dragons spat out jewels and gems that would eventually form the karsts formation we see today, as a means of barriers against the intruders. After performing their duties, the dragons eventually settled in the area. So beware!

Wake up and head to the bay straight from Hanoi. See the big city’s skyscrapers, paved roads and automobiles slowly fade into the Red River Delta’s scenery of rice fields, water buffalos and countryside villages. Once at the pier, hop aboard one of Jasmine & Ginger’s wooden junks and you will be on your way. These boats are superbly built and designed with 1930’s Asian inspired décor.  These vessels truly set the standard of luxury sailing in Halong.

After looking at some of these pictures, you can only imagine how it’d be like to have a meal with a backdrop like this. Yes, lunch and dinner with breakfast on the following day will be served onboard as the junk weaves its way through the limestone karsts. The experience however is not over after Halong Bay. On your way back to Hanoi you will stop at the quaint Phu Lang Pottery Village on the banks of the Cau Phu River.

The physical significance of Halong Bay has earned the area as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1994. We highly recommend that you not only bring your camera, but to use it and snap photos. Not only can you prove your visit here, but the area’s beauty can be captured, kept and serve as a tangible reminder of your visit. Visit our Vietnam tours page for other remarkable packages in the country. If you want, you can also combine or outright create your very own tour. How? By visiting our tailor-made page. Fill in the blanks and hit send!

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