Limestone towers
From the water.
Benjamin Smith — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Benjamin Smith — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Benjamin Smith — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Benjamin Smith — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Benjamin Smith — CC BY-SA 4.0
Bai Tu Long is a bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, northeast of the famous Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam, within the Van Don area of Quang Ninh, about 18 km east of Ha Long city in a straight line. It holds hundreds of large and small islands. A local legend tells that the Jade Emperor sent a mother dragon and her young to help the people, and they spat out jewels that became thousands of rock islands in the sea; where the mother landed became Ha Long, and where her children landed became Bai Tu Long. A national park founded in 2001 protects both land and sea, was recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2016, and partly lies within the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay. Limestone towers and islands rise from calm green water, some as thin as pillars, covered in forest and wrapped in wisps of mist. Fishing villages of colourful wooden houses float on rafts in the coves, and women row small boats between the rocks. Visitors explore the bay on day or overnight cruises, much quieter than neighbouring Ha Long Bay, kayak among the islands and visit floating fishing villages. Trips leave from Ha Long or Van Don and reach inhabited islands such as Quan Lan.
From the water.
Colourful houses.
Among the islands.
Van Don, Quang Ninh, northern Vietnam
On a cruise from Ha Long or Van Don.
Spring and autumn.