Ha Lengthy Bay, in northeast Vietnam, is among the world’s most recognisable landscapes. It’s famend for its vivid emerald waters and hovering limestone islands coated in dense rainforests. Designated a World Heritage Web site in 1994, the smattering of islands is in style with scuba divers, wildlife fans, rock climbers and influencers. Planing a visit to this ethereal vacation spot? From centuries-old floating villages to caves that double up as hospitals, listed here are a couple of attention-grabbing information about Ha Lengthy Bay to get you began.
Attention-grabbing Details About Ha Lengthy Bay
1. Ha Lengthy Bay is made up of over 1,000 islands
Over 1,900 limestone island and islets make up Ha Lengthy Bay. Most of them are named based mostly on their form and look. For instance, Voi Island seems like an elephant and Ga Choi seems like a preventing cock. There are such a lot of islands that lower than half have a reputation.
A number of the formations date again over 500 million years and most are a lot larger than they’re vast. The smallest islets rise from the water to 100 metres (330 ft), which is taller than the Statue of Liberty.
A number of the most well-known grottos embody the Heavely Residence on Thien Cung, Suprise Grotto on Sung Spot and Three Palace Grotto on Tam Cung.
2. Ha Lengthy Bay has been inhabited for a extremely very long time
Archaeologists have discovered proof of people dwelling on the islands courting again 18,000 years. Vu Xuân Tao found lots of the bay’s oldest artefacts, together with a stone axe. It seemingly dates again to both the Soi Nhu (16000 – 5000 BC), Cái Bèo (5000 – 3000 BC) or Halong (3500 – 5000 years in the past).
3. You may go to floating villages in Ha Lengthy Bay
Ha Lengthy Bay is residence to a number of small communities that dwell on floating villages tucked behind the mountains. Initially constructed for fishermen returning with their contemporary catch, the floating villages shortly grew to become residential and completely self-sufficient. Whereas the federal government has pressured some residents to maneuver inland, many have stayed. There at the moment are 4 remaining floating villages: Cua Van, Vung Vieng, Cong Dam and Ba Hong.
4. You may’t go to each island in Ha Lengthy Bay
Not the entire bays islands are as idyllic as the remainder, in truth, some are fairly harmful. Lots of the islands characteristic steep, craggy landscapes which can be unattainable to tame. Some have by no means even been touched by human palms.
5. Ha Lengthy Bay is a haven for wildlife
Ha Lengthy would possibly solely attain depths of round 10 metres (33 ft), nevertheless it’s residence to a staggering number of marine life. Specialists have recorded round 1,000 marine species within the space, together with 450 totally different mollusks and at the very least 200 fish species, making for some fairly epic snorkelling.
On dry land, guests can stand up near monkeys, birds, lizards and antelopes too. Cat Ba’s nationwide park is residence to 32 species of mammal, together with a lot of the world’s 65 remaining golden-headed langurs, the world’s most endangered primate.
6. There’s an interesting legend behind Ha Lengthy Bay
Whereas nobody actually is aware of the place Ha Lengthy Bay got here from, there’s a beautiful legend that gives one concept. In response to native lore, the gods despatched dragons to guard the Vietnamese from invasion. These dragons dropped jewels from their mouths into the bay, which created the islands and acted as a protection in opposition to enemies. The dragons, in the meantime, dived deep into the water and have protected the lands ever since. Regionally, Ha Lengthy Bay means “The Bay the place Dragons Landed”.
7. Ha Lengthy Bay is residence to an necessary cave
Hospital Cave is among the most-visited locations in Ha Lengthy Bay, nevertheless it hasn’t all the time been that means. Through the American-Vietnam Struggle, it acted as a secret bomb-proof hospital and protected home for Vietnamese forces. Constructed between 1962 and 1965 with assist from China, it boasts three-storeys, 17 rooms, an previous working theatre, a pure cavern that doubled up as a cinema and its personal small swimming pool. The cave is round 10km north of Cat Ba City.
