Ha Long Bay, Natural bay in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay is a sea inlet in Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam, where steep limestone pinnacles rise directly from the green water. The surface of the rocks is covered with tropical vegetation, while the base is often carved through with caves and small grottoes.
Finds of pottery and tools show that people lived in the caves of the bay more than 10,000 years ago. During the 19th century, the Vietnamese navy used some islands as hiding places from enemy fleets.
Fishers have lived for centuries in floating villages between the cliffs, using bamboo and wooden boats for their daily work. Travelers can watch children playing in the houses on the water and adults mending their nets at the doorstep.
Most visitors travel by boat between the islands, with longer tours often including a night on board. Trips usually depart early in the morning and return in the late afternoon, depending on the route chosen.
Some rocks are so tall and narrow they resemble giant needles, only a few meters wide. At low tide, small sandbars become visible between the islands, where birds sometimes land.
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