Lan Ha, Bai Tu Long, Halong bay - Masterpieces of nature

Outstanding for its values of landscape, nature, geology, and geomorphology, Ha Long - Bai Tu Long - Lan Ha Bay are unique masterpieces bestowed by nature.

Ha Long Bay covers an area of 1,553 km2, including 1,969 large and small islands. This place contains many international, exceptional, global values. The most outstanding are its geological and geomorphological values. Ha Long Bay was first recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1994, with criterion 7 for outstanding aesthetic value. In 2000, this scenic spot was once again honored according to criterion 8 for outstanding geological and geomorphological value.

The outstanding global geological and geomorphological value of Ha Long Bay is affirmed because it is a mature karst landscape in hot and humid tropical conditions, invaded and transformed by the sea many times and still partly submerged in water. Not only valuable in terms of landscape, geology and geomorphology, Ha Long Bay also attracts tourists by its unique cultural and historical values. This is the factor that creates the difference and special appeal of Ha Long Bay compared to other tourist destinations.

In 2023, the world-famous travel website Lonely Planet suggests 10 top travel destinations for international visitors to explore the culture, cuisine and hidden gems of Vietnam. Of which, Bai Tu Long Bay (Quang Ninh) and Lan Ha Bay (Hai Phong City) ranked 3rd on this list.

Ha Long Bay is one of the cradles of the ancient Vietnamese people, with three successive prehistoric cultures, 18,000 - 3,500 years ago, namely: Soi Nhu culture, Cai Beo culture and Ha Long culture. Right in the central area of the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay, archaeologists discovered many remaining traces of prehistoric residents of Ha Long in Me Cung cave, Tien Ong cave, Bo Nau cave, Thien Long cave...

Not only stopping at the discoveries of a vibrant and unique culture, research results from various scientific fields increasingly confirm that Ha Long Bay also contains many wonders.

The seascape of Ha Long Bay is considered a unique landscape on earth. It is a harmonious combination of the shape of mountains, sea and sky with the color of water, the color of clouds... It is a wonderful work of art created by nature, with a delicate combination of sculpture and painting, composition and color, between the majestic, strong character and the graceful, poetic character. Ha Long Bay is likened to a giant, vivid ink painting, with thousands of rocky islands rising from the clear blue water and a rich and mysterious cave system.

Next to Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay has a magnificent landscape with a diverse system of rocky islands and caves. Weathered by nature into a special form with hundreds of islands, many diverse shapes, Bai Tu Long Bay is like a picture created from the sea and islands. On the rocky islands of the bay, there are also famous caves such as Con Rua island, Hon Chong island cluster, Van Don island, On island, Ba Sao island, Chan Nghia mountain...

Not only possessing beautiful natural scenery, Bai Tu Long Bay is also a place of biodiversity with mangrove ecosystems, coral reef ecosystems, coniferous ecosystems and tropical forest ecosystems. With biodiversity, this place has nearly 400 species of marine animals.

According to Ms. Nguyen Huyen Anh, Director of Quang Ninh Department of Tourism, in order to fully exploit the heritage and tourism potential of Bai Tu Long Bay and attract international visitors, in 2024, Quang Ninh tourism will launch a new product called "Ha Long Heritage Journey". This is a high-end resort tourism product, associated with honoring the unique global value of the Heritage - World Natural Wonder of Ha Long Bay connected with Bai Tu Long Bay.

In 2023, the world-famous travel website Lonely Planet suggests 10 top travel destinations for international visitors to explore the culture, cuisine and hidden gems of Vietnam. Of which, Bai Tu Long Bay (Quang Ninh) and Lan Ha Bay (Hai Phong City) ranked 3rd on this list.

Lan Ha Bay has an area of over 7,000 m2 with about 400 large and small islands, located to the east of Cat Ba Island and the south of Ha Long Bay. It possesses a diverse and rich ecosystem and landscapes of pristine beauty. In early 2020, Lan Ha Bay officially became a member of the World's Most Beautiful Bays Club.

Lan Ha Bay has more than 100 small and deserted sandy beaches like "blue straits". Possessing rich natural landscapes and wild scenery, Lan Ha Bay is considered a beautiful "hidden gem" in a peaceful space. This is also a sea area with small fishing villages. Recently, Lan Ha Bay has become a famous tourist and resort destination, attracting domestic and foreign tourists because it retains many wild features.

Ha Long Bay - Bai Tu Long - Lan Ha with thousands of large and small islands with majestic beauty like "a string of pearls in the sea", is truly a unique masterpiece bestowed by nature.