ocated in the Gulf of Tonkin, the bay is recognized by UNESCO as the Natural World Heritage that contains some 1, 600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The bay’s outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest. It is an incredible place to explore and discover its many islands, coves and hidden grottoes.
Administratively, Ha Long Bay belongs to Ha Long City, Cam Pha Town and part of Van Don District. Ha Long Bay is a center of a larger zone which includes Bái Tử Long bay to the northeast, and Cát Bà islands to the southwest. These larger zones share similar geological, geographical, geomorphologic, climate and cultural characters. Ha Long Bay has an area of around 1, 553 km², including 1, 960 islets, most of which are limestone. The diversity of the environment, climate, geology, geography, and geomorphology in the area has created biodiversity, including tropical evergreen bio-system, oceanic and sea shore bio-system. Ha Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species.
Nowadays, Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular travel destinations in Vietnam. The beauty of the site is the mingling of a number of factors: the mountain’s size and form, the color of the water and the clouds. Halong bay, because of its varied terrain, climate and soil, features a diversified and abundant environmental system