One of nature’s true masterpieces, Halong Bay (literally meaning Bay of Descending Dragons) is dotted with plethora of limestone karsts and islands of all shapes and sizes in an area of over 1,500 square kilometres. Nothing that has ever been written, or will ever be written, can prepare you for the first glimpse of this magical landscape with towering limestone cliffs rising from the translucent waters of the bay. 

Hundreds of small fishing communities live in floating houses on the bay and everything they need to exist is provided by the bay itself. It is even rumoured (whether it is true or not) that some of the people living here have never set foot on dry land.

There are many boats that provide day tours around Halong Bay, but to get a real feel of this mystical place and to see it after all the day-trippers have left, we recommend an overnight cruise.