So long Halong

So long Halong

So long Halong

Halong Bay is one of the "must visit" tourist sites in Vietnam. It was used in as a location in a James Bond film (Tomorrow Never Dies) and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. I'm not saying I've been spoiled on my sabbatical, but it is now my standard policy that I don't visit anywhere that isn't a World Heritage Site and preferably somewhere which has also featured in a Bond film. Exceptions to this rule include the Emirates Stadium, Ashburton Grove and Spearmint Rhino on Tottenham (scum) Court Road. I understand both of these sites are listed for inclusion in the next set of UNESCO designated site

View from Imagine (or Sung Sot) Cave

The bay has perfectly still water and around three thousand limestone monolith islands jutting out from the ocean. Some are small and others are big enough to contain massive caves to explore full of stalactites and stalagmites. Although several hundred motorized junk boats set out from the mainland (I mean junk style, they are actually very comfortable) once you're cruising over the blissfully calm water it doesn't feel too crowded. The same thing can't be said when you're in the caves which you get to view conveyor belt style. There still mighty impressive but surrounded by hordes clicking away with their cameras it does lose some of its magic. I buy an ice-cream at the exit to restore the enchantment.

Back on deck its beers and fabulous seafood as the sun sets beautifully behind the islands, and then down in floods comes the rain. It's not the experience advertised in the brochure but it's much more dramatic. Lighting flashes through the sky illuminating the rocks and the water still without a wave is dashed by thousands of raindrops.

Recommend: Indochina Sails The most luxury junk in Halong Bay.

(Source: Simon Burton)

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