HA LONG BAY, A MAGICAL BEAUTY IN THE WORLD

I/ General introduction to Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay, a beautiful symbol of Vietnamese culture and history, is located on the northeastern sea of our country, part of the territory of Quang Ninh province. In 1994, this magical sea was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, not only because of the wildness hidden in its natural beauty but also because of its great historical, geological, and biological value. 

A. History

The history of Ha Long Bay spans thousands of years, with signs of prehistoric communities. Ancient groups of people living here created a unique culture, called Ha Long Culture, which developed from 3000 to 5000 years ago.

The name "Ha Long" means "dragon descending to the sea" in Vietnamese, coming from a legend about a mother dragon at sea who spit out pearls to form islands to prevent enemies from invading. Since then, the islands have become unique and eloquent symbols of Ha Long Bay.

Many famous poets and writers have left vivid paintings depicting the enchanting natural beauty of Ha Long Bay. Expressed through many art genres, from poetry, stories, and painting to music, all emphasize the beautiful images of the bay.

B. Geographical location

The bay is located in Quang Ninh province, northern Vietnam, bordering the East Sea. Ha Long Bay is about 165km east of Hanoi's capital. Possessing a large system of more than 1,600 limestone islands distributed over an area of about 1,553km². The islands are mainly concentrated in two main areas: the core zone and the buffer zone. Ha Long Bay is located in the tropical humid monsoon climate zone with two distinct seasons: hot and humid summer, and cold and dry winter. The islands and caves in Ha Long Bay were formed from millions of years of Earth's evolution, creating a unique and attractive landscape for domestic and foreign tourists.

C. Heritage value

With a system of majestic limestone islands, amazing caves and canyons, and a diverse ecosystem, Ha Long Bay is recognized as a World Natural Heritage according to two criteria:

·Outstanding geological and geomorphological features of Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay, with a system of 1,600 large and small islands, attracts tourists with its diverse shapes and sizes. Especially the soaring limestone peaks stand out in the middle of the blue sea. Interesting caves such as Sung Sot Cave, Dau Go Cave, and Thien Cung Cave... have contributed to creating a wild, majestic, and mysterious landscape.

·Biodiversity of Ha Long Bay
The ecological system of Ha Long Bay is also extremely rich and diverse. This place hosts a wide range of wildlife, from marine mammals such as dugongs and dolphins to beautiful crustaceans and corals. An important milestone in protecting the environment here is the conservation of rare and endangered animals to maintain the natural ecosystem.

II/ Rich marine life

Diverse and rich, is what is special when it comes to marine life in Ha Long Bay. This sea is home to more than 200 different species of fish, along with more than 450 species of crustaceans and many species of clams, mussels, and scallops.

Among them, some fish species include pipefish, snakehead fish, fruit fish, and other sea fish. The most important crustacean here is the scallops, with a number of other species such as crabs, shrimp, crabs, snails,...

At the same time, Ha Long Bay is also known for the richness of its coral ecosystem. Coral reefs of various shapes and colors create a stunningly beautiful coastal landscape, attracting the attention of lovers of the undersea world.

However, marine life in Ha Long Bay faces challenges due to human impacts and climate change. Over-exploitation activities, environmental pollution from boats and waste, and impacts from unsustainable tourism are factors that threaten the biodiversity of this sea. The conservation and sustainable development of Ha Long's waters in the future is an urgent issue of concern to both the community and the government.

III/ Unique travel experience in Ha Long Bay

Traveling to Ha Long, visitors not only admire the natural beauty but also have the opportunity to participate in many interesting activities such as :

·Cave Exploration: Ha Long Bay is famous for many mysterious natural caves such as Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, etc. Each cave has different shapes, sizes, and rock formations creating unique caves. majestic landscape.

·Excursions on the Bay by ship: A trip to Ha Long Bay cannot lack participation in a boat tour on the bay, admiring the beautiful islands, and winding roads between the open sea and sky, bringing unforgettable experiences. interesting experience.

·Kayaking: Visitors can explore the beauty of the bay by themselves by kayaking, diving through small caves, winding between large and small islands, and feeling the beauty of nature from a complete perspective. completely new.

·Watching the sunset on the bay: There's nothing better than sitting on the deck, enjoying a cocktail, and watching the sunset gradually fall over the bay, the scenery filled with unforgettable romantic yellow, orange, and purple colors.

·Visit fishing villages: Traveling to Ha Long Bay is also an opportunity for you to learn about the lives of people here by visiting fishing villages on the bay such as Cua Van village and Vung Vieng village.

·Enjoy seafood: You cannot miss enjoying fresh seafood dishes here such as scallops, crabs, crabs, shrimp, and squid...

·Visit Tien Ong tourist area: This tourist area is located on a small island, which has a diverse ecosystem and a beautiful beach.

IV/ The influence of Ha Long Bay tourism on the economy and social culture

Tourism has brought significant advancement to Quang Ninh's economy and has contributed to Vietnam's economy. This not only generates income for the local community but also contributes significantly to preserving and developing the culture and ownership traditions of the people of Quang Ninh.

V/ Conclusion

Ha Long Bay, a tourist highlight of Vietnam, with its wild, natural beauty and abundance of marine life, this bay is a destination not to be missed when traveling to Vietnam. Male. Coming to Ha Long Bay, visitors will have the opportunity to explore and experience wonderful things and charming landscapes of nature that cannot be found anywhere else. Ha Long Bay - A natural wonder with the most strange enchantment in the world.