Ha Long Bay

After Hanoi we headed to the very popular Ha Long Bay, which is located 3 hours outside of Hanoi. The bus ride to Ha Long Bay gave us our first glimpse into Vietnam’s countryside.  There is no question as to why Vietnam is one of the world’s leading rice exporters.  The rice fields stretch from the suburbs of Hanoi all the way to Ha Long Bay.  What is even more interesting is that a lot of this rice is shipped to China to feed its immense population.  We arrived at Ha Long Bay without any hassles and were taken to our boat.  The area is popular because of its rich history and the legend that surrounds the giant rock formations found with in the bay. The direct translation of Ha Long Bay means “Bay of Descending Dragons” and many believe the rocks are a direct representation of the mystical dragons that protect the area.  The bay is breathtaking and surrounded by emerald green waters. The area is also full of caves and stalagmites. The most popular way to tour is by a traditional Vietnamese junk boat. We enjoyed a two-day tour and spent one night on the boat. The boats are beautifully outfitted and decorated in traditional South East Asian decor.

Unfortunately, the weather was very cold and rainy. We were unable to swim or snorkel, but did get to kayak through a maze of rocks. Unbelievably, we found floating villages throughout the bay. Many of the inhabitants are fishermen and sell a variety of sea life to sustain a living. They have nothing more than a floating hut or sometimes a wooden boat with a thatched roof. We marveled at the ingenuity of these people being able to maintain a life on water. Amazing!

The trip was well worth it and the scenery was absolutely incredible. We loved learning the history and being able to see the sites up close.  

our room

Thank you for smiling Luis!

Court's first spring roll