Ha Long Bay (Vietnamese: Vinh Ha Long) is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes.

 Ha Long bay is in NorthEastern Vietnam, from E106°56' to E107°37' and from N20°43' to N21°09'. The bay stretches from Yen Hong district, past Ha Long city, Cam Pha town to Van Don district, bordered on the south and southeast by the Gulf of Tonkin, on the north by China and on the west and southwest by Cat Ba island. The bay has a 120 kilometre long coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometres in size with 1969 islets. The area designated by UNESCO as the World Natural Heritage Site includes 434 km² with 775 islets, of which the core zone is delimited by 69 points: Dau Go island on the west, Ba Ham lake on the south and Cong Tay island on the east. The protected area is from the Cai Dam petrol store to Quang Hanh commune, Cam Pha town and the surrounding giants zone.

Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest. Ha Long literally means descending dragon(s) and according to local myth, the story goes as follows: Long ago when their forefathers were fighting foreign invaders from the north, the gods from heaven sent a family of dragons to help defend their land. 

This family of dragons descended upon what is now Ha Long bay and began spitting out jewels and jade. Upon hitting the sea, these jewels turned into the various islands and islets dotting the seascape and formed a formidable fortress against the invaders.

The locals were able to keep their land safe and formed what is now the country of Vietnam. The Dragon family fell so much in love with this area for its calm water and for the reverence of the people of Vietnam that they decided to remain on earth

Mother dragon lies on what is now Ha Long and where her children lie is Bai Tu Long. The dragon tails formed the area of Bach Long Vi known for the miles of white sandy beaches of Tra Co peninsula 

The bay is a sea islands in tropical wet with 2 seasons: hot and moist summer, dry and cold winter. Average temperature is from 15°C- 25°C. Annual rainfall is between 2000mm and 2200mm. Halong bay has the typical diurnal tide system (tide amplitude ranges from 3.5-4m). The salinity is from 31 to 34.5MT in dry season and lower in rainy season.

A community of around 1600 people live on Halong bay in four fishing villages: Cua Van, Ba Hang, Cong Tau and Vông Vieng in Hung Thang commune, Ha Long city. They live on floating houses and are sustained by capture fishing and marine aquaculture (cultivating marine biota).

Originally in Ha Long Bay there was only one fishing village. Now there are about ten.

Ha Long Bay is perhaps the most popular travel destination of Vietnam. Foreigners and natives alike are attracted to its natural, universal appeal, not to mention the shopping and dining prospects located close by. If you are ever visitng up north of Vietnam, Then Ha Long Bay is one stop that you should not miss.

Vietnam Tour Packages with the Ha Long Bay Program can be found in - 3 Days 2 Night Ha Long Bay Cruise Tour , 4 Days 3 Night Hanoi Ha Long Bay Tour, 5 Days 4 Night Hanoi Ha Long Bay Hoa Lu Tam Coc Tour, 11 Days 10 Night Hanoi Sapa Bacha Ninh Binh Ha Long Bay Tour