With its thousands of limestone islets emerging from the South China Sea, Halong Bay is Vietnam’s premier natural attraction.

Now a World Heritage site the bay’s towering cliffs, jungle-topped islands, hidden caves, grottoes and calm waters are a must-see for any visitor to the north of Vietnam. Cruise this magical environment with Vietnam Royal Tourism, aboard a private boat that will carry you deep into the Bay’s more secluded inner reaches for a memorable experience of this unique seascape.

Majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious:words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is HaLong Bay. Imagine 3000 or more incredible islands rising from the emeral waters of the Gulf of Tonking and you have a vision of breatheaking beauty. Halong Bay is pure art, a priceless collection of unfinished sculptures hewn from the hand of nature. In 1994 it was designated a World Heritage site. Visitors can’t help but compare the magical, mystical landscape of limestone islets to Guilin in China and Krabi in southern Thailan,but in reality Halong Bay is more spectacular.These tiny islands are dotted with and waves, and have sparsely forested slopes ringing with birdsong. Beyond the breathtaking vistas on a boat cruise through the bay, visitors to Halong come to explore the caves some of which are beautifully illuminated for the benefit of tourists and to hike in Cat Ba National Park. There are few real beaches in Halong Bay,but Lan Ha Bay (off the coast of Cat Ba Island) has more than 100 sandy beaches. Halong city is the gateway to Halong Bay but not the ideal introfuction to this incredible World Heritage site.