Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NORTHERN VIETNAM
Welcome to the roof of Vietnam, where the mountains of the Tonkinese Alps soar skyward,
delivering some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The attractive old French
hill station of Sapa remains the main base in the far north, but nearby Bac Ha is a less-vis-
ited alternative for trekking and exploring hill-tribe villages. South of here, the sublime
scenery and idyllic lakes of Ba Be National Park are well worth a diversion.
Bizarre but beautiful, Halong Bay is geology gone wild, with hundreds of limestone pin-
nacles emerging from the waters. North of Halong Bay is the less-visited Bai Tu Long Bay,
where nature's spectacular show continues all the way to the Chinese border. Or head to
rugged Cat Ba, a verdant island renowned for its hiking, biking, sailing, and world-class
rock climbing.
BAI TU LONG BAY
The area immediately northeast of Halong Bay is part of
Bai Tu Long National Park
( 033-379
3365), which is blessed with spectacular limestone islands every bit as beautiful as its more famous
neighbour Halong.
Hanoi travel agencies including Ethnic Travel (
Click here
) run trips into the Bai Tu Long area. Or for
more flexibility head overland to Cai Rong and visit the outlying islands by boat from there.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Halong Bay
Majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious, Halong Bay's 3000 or more incredible
islands rise from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. A Unesco World Heritage Site,
this mystical seascape of limestone islets is a vision of breathtaking beauty. The islands are
dotted with wind-and-wave-eroded grottoes, many now illuminated with technicolor light-
ing effects. Sadly, litter and trinket-touting vendors are now also part of the experience.
From February through until April, the weather is often cold and drizzly, and the ensuing
fog can cause low visibility, although the temperature rarely falls below 10°C. Tropical
storms are frequent during the summer months (July to September).
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