Speaking of Hạ Long, one must above
all talk of the beauty of its water
and sky. In a relatively small area
(1,553 sq. km), there are 1,969
islands rising from the sea.
Seen from above, Hạ Long Bay
resembles a light blue handkerchief
dotted with emerald gems; sometimes
clustered together, sometimes
isolated. The clever artistic hand
of creation has made thousands of
stone islands simulating familiar
personages or animals. Like the
constellations of the night sky,
it’s possible to find a familiar
form in every island of Hạ Long Bay:
one brings to mind a pair of
chickens bobbing on the spacious
water (Trống Mái Islet); another is
like a giant tortoise with
half-closed and sleepy eyes (Rùa
Islet); another is like an old monk
joining his hands in prayer to
Buddha, with his face turned to the
sea (Ông Sư Islet); yet another is
like a giant incense-burner standing
in the middle of the sea which used
to pray heaven and earth (Ðinh Hương
Islet). It is a safe bet that many
other islands bearing familiar forms
remain undiscovered in the
mysterious bay.
The sea of Hạ Long is deep blue
water throughout all four seasons.
In spring, sailing amidst the waves,
the stone islands look to be bobbing
on the water. As summer approaches
and the sun is setting on the far
horizon, they appear to awake in
unison and rise from the blue
depths. The whole bay is bright red,
and then turns to blue as the crests
of the waves run together towards
the shore. Orchids and fig trees,
growing from fissures in the stone,
bloom with snowy flowers.
As a boat makes its way through this
forest of islands by ways of
meandering channels, sometimes stone
seems to be spread in front of you;
forming a wall heeding further
progress. Once nearer, the wall
appears to crack open as if letting
your boat pass. The scenery
disappears behind you as yet another
panorama opens to your view.
The winding route seems to be
endless, but the beauty of Hạ Long
Bay does not consist only in the
forms of it’s mountains, islands and
the colour of its waters, but also
in its infinitely rich system of
grottoes and caves; concentrated
mostly in the middle of the
UNESCO-protected area. Thiên Cung
(Heavenly Palace Grotto) bears a
modern and refined trait, while Đầu
Gỗ (Driftwood Grotto) is ample and
grandiose and Sửng Sốt (Surprise
Grotto) appears deeply secretive.
There are many beautiful examples,
closely linked with legends and
popular tales, such as: Trinh Nữ and
Trống Grottoes (Virgin and Male
Grottoes) and the Fairy Grotto Lake
(Ðộng Tiên Lake). Each is a
grandiose and refined natural
architectural creation.
At sunset, when the mountains’
shadows stretch out long across the
bay, the water turns grey-blue,
before suddenly transforming to a
crimson red as the last of the sun’s
rays reach the far away islands. For
one short instant, the whole scene
mingles into one colour, and then
all light is extinguished. After the
moon climbs into the sky, the sea
seems to be coated with silver, with
the lights of Hạ Long City reflected
on the surface of the water.
It seemed that every islands, caves
and beaches in Hạ Long closely
linked with the legend and popular
tale of love, of the heroic song for
safeguarding country... Visiting Hạ
Long Bay is a good chance to witness
the romantic and attractive love
story, which happened only in the
legend.
The 18th meeting of the Committee of
the World Heritages of UNESCO (in
Thailand on December 17th, 1994),
officially recognized Hạ Long Bay as
a natural heritage of worldwide
importance. And Hạ Long Bay is
honorly recognized as a world
natural heritage once again for its
geological value.
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