On the northwest coast of the Gulf of Tonkin, near the city of Ha Long and the entirety of the bay was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

The first legend asserts that a dragon stomped on the earth with such force that mountains crumbled,

The alternate folklore tells of a dragon whose large tail tore up the earth, creating valleys and crevices that became flooded when the beast jumped into the nearby water.

The discovery of numerous stone artifacts provided evidence of the Hoabinhian culture that flourished some 10,000 years ago, and there is also evidence for a specific Ha Long culture

can be cool with clear skies from September to November. Mist drifts in from December to March. April and May offer sunshine and a refreshing breeze, while the monsoon season can make visits unpredictable from June to August.

Don’t take any electronics with you if you go kayaking