Ha Long Bay (Part 1)::Vietnam::The Eighth Wonder of the World

We visited Ha Long Bay in October, which is the best time to go. In March, the fog is too thick—everything is shrouded in a dense white mist. Although it has the misty beauty of a traditional Chinese ink painting, the absence of a crystal-clear blue sky is always a bit disappointing. In August, the sun is scorching, and the hot, humid air is hard to bear. But if you constantly stay below deck to enjoy the air conditioning, it kind of ruins the experience.

Ha Long Bay is located in northern Vietnam. Its most distinctive feature is its karst topography, which has a history of over 200 million years. This has given rise to 1,969 limestone islands of various sizes, scattered across the vast bay that covers 1,553 square kilometers. These peculiar rock formations stretch deep into the sea, sometimes standing alone and other times stretching in ranges—majestic yet graceful, sharp yet proud. Because its scenery resembles that of Guilin in China’s Guangxi Province, Ha Long Bay is often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay of the Sea.” Due to this unique landscape, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site for two consecutive years for its natural scenery and geological features. Its rare “karst coastal landscape” is even hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and has been featured on the design of Vietnamese currency.