| Halong Bay |
Website Links For Bay |
Information AboutHalong Bay |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT HALONG BAY | |
| world heritage sites in vietnam | |
| bays of vietnam | |
| heritage parks of asean | |
|
The bay consists of a dense cluster of 1,969 Limestone monolithic Island s, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, which rise spectacularly from the ocean. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous Caves . Hang Đầu Gổ (Wooden stakes Cave) is the largest grotto in the Halong area. French tourists visited in the late 19th century, and named the cave Grotte des Merveilles. Its three large chambers contain large numerous stalactites and stalagmites (as well as 19th century French Graffiti ). Some of the islands support floating villages of fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of s, Antelope s, Monkey s, and Iguana s also live on some of the islands. The bay was World Heritage listed by UNESCO at the 18th meeting of the Committee of the World Heritages of UNESCO (in Thailand on December 17th, 1994 ). It is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations. Local legend says that long ago when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders, the gods sent a family of dragons to help defend the land. This family of dragons descended upon what is now Ha Long Bay (hence the name "Bay of Descending Dragons") and began spitting out jewels and jade. These jewels turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linking together to form barriers against the invaders. The people kept their land safe and formed what later became the country of Vietnam. History shows that Halong Bay has been the setting for local naval battles against Vietnam's coastal neighbours. On three occasions in the labyrinth of channels between the islands the Vietnamese army stopped the Chinese from landing. In 1288 General Tran Hung Dao stopped Mongol ships from sailing up the nearby Bach Dang River by placing steel-tipped wooden stakes at high tide, sinking the Mongol Dubhai Khan's fleet. During the Vietnam War , many of the channels between the islands were heavily mined by the Navy of the United States , some of which pose a threat to shipping to this day. The surrounding land region of Halong City is rich with high grade Coal deposits, and is operated by the Vietnamese government. EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|