Ha Long Bay

Halong Bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The bay consists of a dense cluster of 1,969 limestone monolithic islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, which rise spectacularly from the ocean.

Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. The Wooden stakes Cave la ter named by the french as Grotte des Merveilles is the largest grotto in the Halong area.

Its three large chambers contain large numerous stalactites and stalagmites.

There are two bigger islands, Tuan Chau and Cat Ba, that have permanent inhabitants.

There are a number of wonderful beaches on the smaller islands.

Some of the islands support floating villages of fishermen.

Birds and animals including bantams, antelopes, monkeys, and iguanas also live on some of the islands.

The bay was World Heritage listed by UNESCO World Heritages of UNESCO in Thailand on December 17th, 1994.