Other attractions in Ha Long Bay

Halong Cruises –Dong Hang Hanh tunnels through mount Quang Hanh 9 km from the township of Cam Pha. The tunnel and cave is approximately 2 km in length.

To visit this cave the visitors must take a small row boat to access the entrance. On the way the rower must maneuver through a variety of rock formation often so narrow that only one boat can fit through at a time.

The air in the tunnel is several degrees cooler than the air outside. As one proceed deeper into the cave,the surroundings become more mystifying as the rocky walls take different shapes,sizes,and hues. Hang Hanh contains many formations. One formation takes the form of a drum (for water) called Ang gao. One looks like a temple with millions of diamond-like crystals as its outer layer. There are several columns of rocks that look like remnants of buildings from some ancient world. These monoliths are several stories high. There’s also a formation of a natural amphitheater in the middle of the water with smaller formations in place as the audience.

Ao Tien or Pond of the Nymphs,was named by the locals because it was rumored this is where the nymphs gathered to take a bath. The limestone walls surrounds this part of the ocean creating a natural pond in the middle of the bay. Ao Tien is located in an island with a lagoon-like setting,surrounded by limestone walls,accessible only by small row boats and only in low tides. During high tide,the water rise to cover the opening and keep the water here clean. The water in Ao Tien is only chest deep and very warm. During low tide visitors can disembark from the bigger boat and use a row boat to enter Ao Tien. Some visitors even swim through the opening without using a boat. Many tourists use Ao Tien as a place to sunbathe and wade.

Like Ao tien,Hang Luon is in the middle of rock formations the center of which is an open area where the water is clear and calm. There is also a sandy beach. However,Hang luon’s opening is substantially bigger than the opening of Ao Tien. Depending on the tide,a large boat can go through the tunnel.

Tuan Chau island or Sentinel Chau Island is 3 km west of Dau Go cave. The island is approximately 3 km2. This island is inhabited by people. The nurturing hands of humans have turned this island into a fertile farm producing vegetables and fruits for the outlying mining and fishing villages of Ha Long Bay.

According to the inhabitants,Tuan Chau is a derivative of two words. Before the revolutionary war,each island was under the surveillance of an officer. Each was in charge of a group of sentinels assigned to keep security for one island in the bay. There were several of such officers assigned to Ha Long. The Vietnamese words,linh tuan means sentinel(s) and tri Chau means mandarin (officer) Chau,hence the combination of the two words means Tuan Chau or Sentinel Chau.

There is a bamboo hut on the island that has became a shrine,since it was rumored that this place was favored by Ho Chi Minh when he visited Ha Long. The hut is maintained and kept by the people of the island. Today visitors to the island can visit the hut as if it was a historical monument.

Poem Mountain stands over the city of Hon Gai. On his visit to Ha Long,King Le Thanh Tong (15th century) wrote a poem glorifying Ha Long’s beauty. This poem is carved on a stele on Nui Truyen Dang which was later renamed Nui Bai Tho or Poem Mountain. The King was a poet and the person responsible for forming the group of intellectuals,Tao Dan Nhi Thap Bat Tu,or Tao Dan twenty-eight scholars.

Cua Ong Temple is located on a hill over looking Bai Tu Long Bay. The temple was built as a shrine to mandarin Tran Quoc Tang,the son of Vietnams most famous general Tran Hung Dao.

In 1283,during the height of the war against Mongolia,Tran Quoc Tang was sent here to build a fort to defend this frontier. This area was known for its rough and less than ideal conditions. Tran Quoc Tang created a government here and turned the area into a prosperous place. Tran Quoc Tang was made supreme commander and became one of Vietnams most successful general. During this period,there were many bands of outlaws and pirates harassing the people in this region. General Tang successfully wiped out many of these bandits and brought peace to this area. He was also successful in keeping the great Mongolian army at bay during their numerous attempt to invade Vietnam. The people revered him so much that he became a demigod to them. So much reverence was given to general Tang that he was dubbed King of the Sea while he was still alive!

General Tang died in 1313 at the age of 61. The people in the region mourned his passing and built a shrine in his honor. Today,the words Great Eastern Sea King are still imprinted on the placard at the entrance of the temple. Den Cua Ong was built in the Le dynasty (17th century),but was later remodeled in the Nguyen dynasty (17th –19th century). Every year during Tet,Vietnamese new year,the people in this area have a festival to celebrate and honor General Tang.

Halong Cruises Related:

• Halong Bay 1 day tour
• Halong Bay 2 days Cruise
• Halong Bay &Cat Ba Island Trekking 3 days
• Cruise Halong Bay 3 days