The Legend of Ha Long Bay

"Long time ago, in the first founding days, Viet People were attacked by foreign aggressors. The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her band of Child Dragons to help the Viet people fight the invaders. While the enemy vessels were launching massive attacks against the mainland, the dragons descended in flocks from the sky. They spat out innumerable pearls which changed into jade stone islands the moment they touched the water. These islands linked together to form firm citadels that checked the enemy’s advance and smashed their vessels to pieces. After the invaders were driven out, the Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons did not return to Heaven but stayed on earth, right at the place where the battle occurred. The spot where the Mother Dragon landed was Ha Long and where the Child Dragons came down was Bai Tu Long. The place where the dragon’s children wiggled their tails violently was called Bach Long Vi island- known for the miles of white sandy beaches of Tra Co peninsula.

Source: "Ha Long mainland" by Thi Sảnh.

Ha Long Bay is an ocean island lying at Northern East of Vietnam, located in Quang Ninh province. West and North West of Ha Long Bay spreads from Hung Yen province, through Ha Long city, Cam Pha town to Van Don district. The Southeast and South border Bac Bo Bay and South west and West border Cat Ba Islands (Hai Phong city).

With a geographic work of art, a legendary work of stone islands and a huge wonderful cave system, Ha Long Bay has been recognized officially by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage.