Magnifficent Halong Bay, World Heritage listed by UNESCO at the 18th meeting of the Committee of the World Heritages of UNESCO (in Thailand on December 17th, 1994), is one the most popular tourist spot in the north of Vietnam.
Halong Bay consists of a dense cluster of 3000-plus islands rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tokin and covering the area of approximately 1500 sq km.

Halong Bay Local Legend

Halong Bay means "Bays of descending dragon". Local legend has it that the islands of Halong Bay were created by a family of dragons sent from God to help defend the land from foreign invaders. This family of dragons descended upon what is now Halong Bay and began spitting out of jewels and jade. Upon hitting the sea, these jewle and jade turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linked together to form a formidable barriers against the invaders. The locals were able to keep their land safe and formed what later became the country of Vietnam.