Halong bay Vietnam

Tài liệu cung cấp thông tin chi tiết về vịnh Hạ Long, quá trình hình thành và phát triển Hlong từ quá khứ đén hiện tại, các điểm tham quan và giá trị của nó. Tài iệu phù hợp cho hướng dẫn viên và kasch du lich tham khảo để có một chuyến thăm vịnh như ý.

Halong Bay Vietnam Halong Bay is one of the world’s natural wonders, and is the most beautiful tourist destination of Vietnam Halong Bay features more than one thousand awesome limestone karsts and islands of various sizes and shapes along the 120-km coastline of Bai Chay Beach Its waters are host to a great diversity of ecosystems including offshore coral reefs, freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forests, small freshwater lakes, and sandy beaches The folk tale has it that the dragons descended from heaven to help locals by spitting jewels and jade to the sea, forming a natural fortress against invaders; these precious stones are represented by the lush green outcrops Several islands boast beautiful grottos and caves with contiguous chambers, hidden ponds and peculiar stone formations A UNESCO world heritage site and truly a natural wonder - Halong Bay is made up of over 3000 limestone karsts that soar skyward out of calm emerald waters Within the islands of the Bay there are hundreds of beautiful caves, including many famous names such as Thien Cung, Dau Go, Sung Sot, Tam Cung and Bo Nau Some of them are archaeological sites retaining tangible archaeological evidence of Soi Nhu and Ha Long prehistoric cultures such as Soi Nhu, Me Cung, Tien Ong, Thien Long, Hang Trong, and Trinh Nu caves The name Ha Long Bay is literally translated as "Bay of Descending Dragons" A legend has been handed down in the local area relating to the name Ha Long Bay, which says: "Long ago, in the first founding days, the Viet people were attacked by foreign aggressors The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and a herd of Child Dragons to help the Viet fight the invaders While the enemy vessels were launching massive attacks against the mainland, the dragons descended in flocks from the sky They spat out innumerable pearls that, in a moment, were changed into innumerable jade stone islands linked together into firm citadels that checked the enemys advance and smashed their vessels into pieces The Viet won at last! After the invaders were driven out, Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons did not return to Heaven but stayed on earth, right at the place where the battle occurred The spot where the Mother Dragon landed was Ha Long, and where the Child Dragons came down was Bai Tu Long The place where their tails violently wagged was called Long Vi, the present-day Tra Co Peninsula with its soft sandy beach stretching dozens of kilometers" BIO-DIVERSITY VALUE According to the scientists, Ha Long Bay owns a high bio-diversity with the typical ecosystems of the tropical sea The bio-diversity in Ha Long Bay is shown by the variety of species, and endemic and rare genes According to a research of the Resources and Sea Environment Institution, which has been undertaken in 2008, in Ha Long Bay, there are 2,949 species of fauna and flora of which 1,259 inland species, 1,553 water species, 66 species of reptile and amphibian and 71 bird species Scientists identified 102 specious and rare species at universal and/or regional level, of which 17 plants are endemic to Ha Long Bay This is a natural area of Vietnam where the most numerous species have been found List of species can be found in the following table: There are 10 kinds of typical eco-systems in Ha Long Bay However, it can be divided into two main different categories, namely: the tropical forest ecosystem and the seashore ecosystem *The tropical forest ecosystem: The total number of plant species living on the rugged islands in Ha Long Bay is 507 species, 351genus of 110 familias of kormobionta, of which 486 species of magnoliophyta, 14 species of polypodiophyta, species of lycopodiophyta, species of psilophyta, and species of gymnospermatophyta (pinophyta) It also lists a total of 66 species of reptile and amphibious, 71 species of bird, and 22 species of animal Several different communities (species of plants that always grow together) are found, such as: mangrove, seashore plants, those of the slopes or sheer cliffs, the summit plants, and those that grow around the mouth of caves and grottoes These plant species have adapted to live on the limestone islands in Ha Long Bay Until now, 17 endemic plants have been found on Ha Long Bay Their names are listed in the following table: *The marine and sea-shore ecosystem: (including the wet land and marine ecosystem) To date, in Ha Long Bay, the scientists have found out 571 benthos, 419 species of plankton, 181 species of coral, 156 species of marine fish, 139 species of algae, species of sea-grass, and 19 plant species in mangroves + The wet land eco-system: The wet land eco-system of Ha Long Bay and its surrounding area can be divided into main eco-systems: - Mangrove eco-system: There are 19 species of plants in mangroves of Ha Long Bay Mangroves in Ha Long play an important role as they provide a home to nearly 500 species of creatures, of which 306 zooplankton, 90 species of marine fish, 16 species of algae, 12 species of mammal, species of of reptile, and species of sea-grass Sea-grass ecosystem It is comprised of only species of sea-grass but it offers the habitat for 17 species of algae, 14 species of benthos, and many other marine creatures It also has the advantages of preventing the creation of waves and cleaning the water environment by absorbing organic waste Rock-reef littoral ecosystem around limestone islands in Ha Long Bay This ecosystem is found at tidal cliff on the foot of the islands on Ha Long Bay It is a home to 423 species of which 129 species of algae, 12 species of coral, 51 species of polychaeta (sand worms), 60 species of snails, 75 species of mollusk, 70 species of crustacea, 12 species of echinoderm, species of sponge, species of reptile (sea snake and varan), 21 species of sea birds, and species of otter Sand beach circumlittoral ecosystem in coastal islands These are protective sand beaches along coastal islands with coral reefs underneath They are the home to 116 species of which 32 species of polychaeta, 22 species of mollusk, 31 species of snails, 24 species of crustacea, and species of echinoderm Soft bottom ecosystem in low tidal flats in estuaries These are tidal flats connected with mangroves and sand dunes emerging at estuaries They provide home to 145 species of phytoplankton; 54 species of zooplankton, 150 species of benthos; 58 species of algae; species of sea-grass; 79 species of marine fish Coral reef ecosystem This ecosystem stretches from the southeast of Cat Ba island to the islands in the south of Ha Long Bay The coral reefs here mostly feature fringe lagoons, reef flats - both inside and outside, crest, slope and platform reefs To date, it is estimated that in Ha Long Bay there are 231 species of coral belonging to classes Of which hard coral class comprises 204 species The coral reefs in Ha Long Bay are the home of 230 species of mollusk, 180 species of phytoplankton, 155 species of marine fish, 129 species of algae, 118 species of annelida, 104 species of zooplankton, 77 species of crustacea; 15 species of echinoderm; 11 species of sponge This ecosystem has a high biological capacity and a water cleansing ability “Tung” and “Ang” (lagoon) ecosystem: This is a special ecosystem of Ha Long Bay Karst lagoons are created by geological tectonic movement These are lakes lying within the islands with narrow entrances to the sea These favorable conditions create this special ecosystem and beautiful landscape of Ha Long Bay At present, in Ha Long Bay it is estimated that there are 62 “Ang” and 57 “Tung” This ecosystem refers to the reservoirs of rare and specious genes of Ha Long Bay It is the home to over 72 species of fauna and flora of which 21 species of algae, 37 species of mollusk, species of crustacea, species of echinoderm, and some other species of coral + This marine ecosystem - Phytoplankton Aquatic includes phytoplankton, ecosystem zooplankton, zoo-benthos and nekton These are small animals drifting in the water They can autotrophy through the process of photosynthesis They are the first link in the nutrient chain, which create the basic capacity of Ha Long Bay They contribute to the dissolution of organic matter and thus help against water pollution According to the results of site surveys in 2008, there are 278 species of phytoplankton in Ha Long Bay, 64 of which are algae Zooplankton These too are small animals drifting about in the water They are the second link in the nutrient chain (next to the phytoplankton) The composition of Zooplankton is dependent on water layers and the seasons It is estimated that there are 141 species of zooplankton in the Ha Long Zoo-benthos These creatures live on the bottom of the sea and have very high nutritional value Surveys showed that in Ha Long there are 571 zoo-benthos species of main groups, namely: mollusk (261 species) polycheata (145 species), crustacea (113 species); echinoderm (26 species), and sponge (26 species) Nekton These animals can swim in the water by themselves and migrate to look for food They breed or shelter in winter in areas with the depth of around to 20 m It is estimated that there are 196 species of marine fish species of dolphin are only found in offshore areas CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL VALUES Ha Long Bay is a home of ancient Viet people with three continuous pre-historic cultures about 18,000 to 3,500, namely: Soi Nhu culture, Cai Beo culture, and Ha Long culture Soi Nhụ culture (about 18,000 to 7,000 years ago): concentrated in limestone islands of Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay The typical archeological remains of this culture can be found at Mê Cung, Thiên Long, Tiên Ông The main living method of Soi Nhu people was catching shellfish, picking fruit This cave-culture is illustrated by traces of mountain snail (Cyclophorus) and stream snail (Melania) and some other fresh-water mollusks These findings have shown that in comparison with Hòa Bình - Bắc Sơn culture of the same period, the cultural model of the Soi Nhụ people was more developed This is evident in their adaptation to the marine environment Cái Bèo culture (from 7,000 to 5,000 years ago): is a link between Soi Nhụ culture and Hạ Long culture The typical archeological relics of this culture have been found at sheltered areas in Ha Long Bay, such as: Cái Bèo, Hà Giát, Giáp Khẩu Cái Bèo people made their livelihood not only by the traditional methods of hunting and picking but also by marine exploitation Archeological relics of Cái Bèo culture have proved that our ancestors adapted to the marine environment sooner than believed, developing a great culture with its own identity Hạ Long culture (from 4,500 to 3,500 years ago) is divided into stages: earlier and later Ha Long culture in the earlier stage: was the result of middle-Holocene marine transgression in the period of 6,000 to 5,000 years ago This caused the loss of a habitable environment for the Cái Bèo people and resulted in most people moving to the northeast region where the earlier Ha Long Culture was created The main living styles of people in this culture were hunting, picking, cultivating Technical knowledge such as pottery and stone tool making had been well-developed Ha Long culture in the later stage: came about as the result of the period of maximum marine transgression This culture developed with the migration of Ha Long people into the plains, midlands and mountainous areas The Ha Long people’s habitats were relatively diverse and included caves, mountain peaks and sand bars The typical archeological relics of this culture are: Bái Tử Long cave, Soi Nhụ cave, and Ngọc Vừng island In this stage, living methods of Ha Long people basically linked to marine environment Techniques for making labor tools in this stage became more skilful Soft pottery had become the distinctive ‘Ha Long Pottery’ Specifically, they created typical stepped and shouldered axes and adzes to enhance the capacity of the earning living method Ha Long culture in the later stage plays an important role in the ancient Viet civilization Ha Long Bay - the place which marked the foundation of the nation and its protection history With its important location, from the beginning of the 12th century (in 1149), during the dynasty of King Ly Anh Tong, Van Don trading port has been established and become an active center for trade and cultural exchange during the dynasties of Ly, Tran, and Le This is the first international trading port of Vietnam In the history of the nation foundation and protection of Vietnam, Ha Long Bay also is the place of three glorious victories for the Vietnamese people from the 10th to the 20th centuries There were famous national heroes, namely: Ngo Quyen in 938, Le Hoan in 981, and Tran Hung Dao and Tran Khanh Du in 1288 It also featured prominently in two wars against foreign aggressors: the French and the Americans At present, in Ha Long Bay area, many important cultural and historical relics have been found Especially, the fishing communities who live on the Bay still remain its own special culture, enriching native Ha Long Culture Their unique culture is typified by folklore performance such as “ask and answer” singing, sea shanties, wedding songs, and many other traditional ceremonies GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY History of tectonics he Kissing Cocks According to scientists, Hạ Long Bay has experienced at least 500 million years in various geological states of ontogeny, marine transgression and marine regression During the Ordovician and Silurian periods (500-410 million years ago), Hạ Long Bay was deep sea During the Carboniferous and Permian periods (340-250 million years ago), Hạ Long Bay was at shallow sea level Karts geomorphology value Due to a simultaneous combination of ideal factors such as thick, pale, grey, and strong limestone layers, which are formed by fine-grained materials; hot and moist climate and slow tectonic process as a whole; Hạ Long Bay has had a complete karts evolution for 20 million years There are many types of karts topography in the bay, such as karts field Timeline of geologic evolution Some of the most remarkable geological events in Hạ Long Bay’s history in the last 1,000 years, include the advance of the sea, the raising of the bay area, strong erosion that has formed coral, and, pure blue and heavily salted water This process of erosion by seawater has deeply engraved the stone, contributing to its fantastic beauty Present-day Hạ Long Bay is the result of this long process of geological evolution that has been influenced by so many factors Due to all these factors, tourists visiting Hạ Long Bay are not only treated to one of the natural wonders of the world, but also to a precious geological museum that has been naturally preserved in the open air for the last 300 million years Sung Sot Cave Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area, the Sung Sot or Surprise Grotto is on Bo Hon Island, and is one of the finest and widest grottoes of Ha Long Bay Ascending to the grotto, the way is covered by trees and foliage, and consists of great paved stone blocks.Inside, it is artitioned into two chambers; the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall Many stalactites hang from the high ceiling, with numerous possible forms and shapes.Anarrow passage leads to the second rooms, where a flow of light meets visitors The chamber is so immense it could contain thousands of people at one time.At the deepest point of the grotto, a "royal garden" appears with a clear pond and a seemingly fascinating landscape of mountains Many birds and plants (benjamin figs, cycads and centenary banyan trees) live here On nice days groups of monkeys might arrive in search of fruit Thien Cung Grotto It is situated on the south-west side the bay, km from the wharf outside of Ha Long City The way to Thien Cung is a perilous one, covered on both sides by thick forest After entering a narrow gate, the grottos 130meter-long girth opens up Getting in we are more astonished in front of the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from stalactite On the east wall of the grotto, there is a grandiose and imposing picture with characters of tales Going out of the Thien Cung Grotto, we have a sensation of just watching a unique, meticulous, interesting fine-art museum which is made by nature, get out of the imagine, ability and intellect of man This grotto is recently discovered, one of the most beautiful grottoes in Ha Long Bay Legend has it, that beautiful young lady named May (cloud), caught the eye of the Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her They were betrothed, and their wedding lasted seven days and seven nights in the very centre of the grotto In honour of the wedding, small dragons flew about through the stalactites and stalagmites, elephants danced together happily, snakes twined themselves around trees and two stone lions danced with their manes flowing in the wind A large elephant, smartly dressed, waited for the bride and the groom The genies of the south and north stars came to attend the banquet and the atmosphere were definitely animated and lively All these scenes have been seemingly fossilized in the grotto In the centre are four large pillars supporting the "roof of heaven." From the base to the top, many strange images seem to live in the stone: birds, fish, flowers and even scenes of human life On the north wall of the grotto a group of fairies seem to dance and sing in honour of the wedding Under the immeasurably high roof, stalactites make a natural stone curtain Somewhere there is the sound of a drum beating, but it is actually just the noise made by the wind blowing through stone Arriving at the last partition of the grotto, a natural gushing stream of water babbles throughout the year Here are three small ponds of clear water Legend has it, that this was where May bathed her 100 children, bringing them up wisely and happily into adolescence One path meanders out of the grotto; it was the way May, together with 50 of her children, took to harvest new lands The 50 remaining children, together with their father, were left to build the native land Left behind by the mother was the natural stream described above Titov Island Situated about 7-8 km south-east of Bai Chay lies the small Ti Top Island It displays a beach shaped like a crescent moon, and sand that has been washed to a snowy white by the tide On 22 November 1962, this tiny island had the honour of receiving a visit from astronaut Ghermann Titov, a hero of the former Soviet Union, accompanied by Ho Chi Minh To perpetuate the remembrance of their visit, Uncle Ho named the place Ti Top Island It has now become an attractive beach for tourists and has various of tourist services Am Islet Am Rock or Kettle Islet is situated in Bai Tu Long Bay An island jutting out of the seawaters, the teapot of the Jade Emperor, who accidentally dropped it into Ha Long so, its handle was broken Con Coc Islet Con Coc or Toad Islet is one of the most exquisite works nature has presented Ha Long Just imagine, a 9meter-tall toad sitting to wait for rain amidst the vastness of the sea The Toad Islet lies in the southeast of Ha Long Bay, 12 km away from the tourist boat wharf The Toad is an ugly but useful animal In the drought season, farmers usually listen to its sound to guess when it will rain The Vietnamese have a folk tale about the hard trek of thirsty animals to Heaven to plead for rain A tiny courageous toad led this struggle Eventually, the Jade Emperor adopted the Toad as his Uncle and willingly creates rain whenever it grinds its teeth Dinh Huong Islet In the itinerary of Thien Cung - Dau Go - Ti Top, one finds Dinh Huong Islet or Lu Huong (Incense Burner Islet) to the southwest of Dau Go Island Passing the Cho Da (Stone Dog) Islet and the Con Meo (Cat) Islet, one sees an imposing stone slab resting on two other small stones stands blocked the way The stone slab resembles a huge incense burner, which lies in the middle of the sea as a holy object to worship the Sky and Earth Trong Mai Islet Trong Mai is situated on the south-west side of Ha Long Bay, km from the tourist wharf near to Dinh Huong Islet In a somewhat large expanse of open sea, the island seems to grow up from the bottom of the deep emerald waters At sunset, the island with the height of over 10 m is bright red and in a somewhat tottery position Their tiny legs support heavy bodies, and it appears that one strong wave could throw the two stone blocks into the sea However, hundreds of millions of years have passed, and the Trong Mai is still there The image of the island is the logo of Ha Long Bay and Vietnam Tourism Oan Islet Situated 300 m away from Bai Tho Mountain and km from the Bai Chay Tourist Wharf, a 22-meter islet stands out in Bai Tu Long Bay It has the shape of truncated sticky rice, which serves as an offering to Buddha Dau Nguoi (Human head) Islet From afar, you can see a 25-meter islet, which reminds us of a huge Egyptian head with a big nose Its chin lies close to the sea surface Many people associate it with the image of the Egyptian Sphinx The Dau Nguoi Islet in Ha Long Bay, a masterpiece of nature, has its own poetic beauty as it lies amidst seawaters The islet lies near Luon Cave, 13 km away from the tourist wharf Thien Nga (Swan) Islet According to the fishermen in this region, long ago, when there were still few visitors, Bo Nau cave was home to thousands of pigeons Today as more visitors and people begin to inhabit the surrounding islands, the pigeons have left until only the name Bo Nau remains out of habit of the local fishermen Hang Trinh Nu (Virgin Cave) Hang Trinh Nu or the Virgin is also known as Mid Gate cave According to local lore, an old couple lived here long ago The husband made a living fishing around the bay They were very poor They had only one daughter She grew up to be a beautiful young woman, so beautiful that people from all around knew of her There were many suitors and her reputation reached the local mandarin The mandarin immediately sent his soldier to her home to capture her She was forced to marry the old mandarin After much cajoling and threats the fair maiden still steadfastly refused One day, she escaped from the mandarins home, however she was afraid to return home for fear of retaliation After much thought, the maiden decided to go to Mid Gate cave to commit suicide Her body turned into the stone statue lying atop a flat surface Since then, Mid Gate cave became known as Virgin cave Virgin cave tunnels through the middle of an island approximately km long Along the tunnel, there are many chambers Each is famous for a different reason All are unique in their beauty Many visitors to the cave are awed by its beauty and so the name Hang Sung Sot was given to the outer chamber of the Virgin cave Sung Sot literally means astonishment or awe Cave of Awe (Hang Sung Sot) Sung Sot cave is on the same island with Trinh Nu cave The path to Sung Sot is quite steep and is lined with shady trees The cave has chambers The outer chamber is square and is often referred to as the waiting room The cave's ceiling is approximately 30 m high The walls are almost perfectly smooth as if it was built by man The walls generate a variety of colors that blend with the setting of the area The path to the inner chamber is approximately 3m wide The inner chamber is known as the serene castle The formations in the chamber take the form of sentries conversing with one another, animals in varying poses etc In the middle of the chamber stands a formation which resembles a general surveying his troops There is a side entrance which is approximately 6m in height The light reflected from the moving water outside causes the formations inside the chamber to seemingly come alive According to the locals, this was the reason the cave was named Sung Sot, from the awe-stricken reaction of the visitors to the cave Other attractions in Ha Long Bay Dong Hang Hanh tunnels through mount Quang Hanh km from the township of Cam Pha The tunnel and cave is approximately km in length To visit this cave the visitors must take a small row boat to access the entrance On the way the rower must maneuver through a variety of rock formation often so narrow that only one boat can fit through at a time The air in the tunnel is several degrees cooler than the air outside As one proceed deeper into the cave, the surroundings become more mystifying as the rocky walls take different shapes, sizes, and hues Hang Hanh contains many formations One formation takes the form of a drum (for water) called Ang gao One looks like a temple with millions of diamond-like crystals as its outer layer There are several columns of rocks that look like remnants of buildings from some ancient world These monoliths are several stories high Theres also a formation of a natural amphitheater in the middle of the water with smaller formations in place as the audience Ao Tien or Pond of the Nymphs, was named by the locals because it was rumored this is where the nymphs gathered to take a bath The limestone walls surrounds this part of the ocean creating a natural pond in the middle of the bay Ao Tien is located in an island with a lagoon-like setting, surrounded by limestone walls, accessible only by small row boats and only in low tides During high tide, the water rise to cover the opening and keep the water here clean The water in Ao Tien is only chest deep and very warm During low tide visitors can disembark from the bigger boat and use a row boat to enter Ao Tien Some visitors even swim through the opening without using a boat Many tourists use Ao Tien as a place to sunbathe and wade Like Ao tien, Hang Luon is in the middle of rock formations the center of which is an open area where the water is clear and calm There is also a sandy beach However, Hang luon's opening is substantially bigger than the opening of Ao Tien Depending on the tide, a large boat can go through the tunnel Tuan Chau island or Sentinel Chau Island is km west of Dau Go cave The island is approximately km2 This island is inhabited by people The nurturing hands of humans have turned this island into a fertile farm producing vegetables and fruits for the outlying mining and fishing villages of Ha Long Bay According to the inhabitants, Tuan Chau is a derivative of two words Before the revolutionary war, each island was under the surveillance of an officer Each was in charge of a group of sentinels assigned to keep security for one island in the bay There were several of such officers assigned to Ha Long The Vietnamese words, linh tuan means sentinel(s) and tri Chau means mandarin (officer) Chau, hence the combination of the two words means Tuan Chau or Sentinel Chau There is a bamboo hut on the island that has became a shrine, since it was rumored that this place was favored by Ho Chi Minh when he visited Ha Long The hut is maintained and kept by the people of the island Today visitors to the island can visit the hut as if it was a historical monument Poem Mountain stands over the city of Hon Gai On his visit to Ha Long, King Le Thanh Tong (15th century) wrote a poem glorifying Ha Long's beauty This poem is carved on a stele on Nui Truyen Dang which was later renamed Nui Bai Tho or Poem Mountain The King was a poet and the person responsible for forming the group of intellectuals, Tao Dan Nhi Thap Bat Tu, or Tao Dan twenty-eight scholars Cua Ong Temple is located on a hill over looking Bai Tu Long Bay The temple was built as a shrine to mandarin Tran Quoc Tang, the son of Vietnams most famous general Tran Hung Dao In 1283, during the height of the war against Mongolia, Tran Quoc Tang was sent here to build a fort to defend this frontier This area was known for its rough and less than ideal conditions Tran Quoc Tang created a government here and turned the area into a prosperous place Tran Quoc Tang was made supreme commander and became one of Vietnams most successful general During this period, there were many bands of outlaws and pirates harassing the people in this region General Tang successfully wiped out many of these bandits and brought peace to this area He was also successful in keeping the great Mongolian army at bay during their numerous attempt to invade Vietnam The people revered him so much that he became a demigod to them So much reverence was given to general Tang that he was dubbed King of the Sea while he was still alive! General Tang died in 1313 at the age of 61 The people in the region mourned his passing and built a shrine in his honor Today, the words Great Eastern Sea King are still imprinted on the placard at the entrance of the temple Den Cua Ong was built in the Le dynasty (17th century), but was later remodeled in the Nguyen dynasty (17th - 19th century) Every year during Tet, Vietnamese new year, the people in this area have a festival to celebrate and honor General Tang Ha Long Bay is located in the northeastern part of Vietnam and constitutes part of the western bank of Bac Bo Gulf, including the sea area of Ha Long City and Cam Pha Town and part of Vân Don island district It abuts Cat Ba Island in the southwest Toward the west is the shore with a 120 km-long coastline It is located within 106o58’-107o22’ east longitude and within 20o45’- 20o50’ north latitude The site is 1553 sq km with 1969 islands of various sizes, of which 989 have been named The islands in Ha Long Bay are mainly limestone and schist islands most lying in the two main areas: the southeastern part of Bái Tử Long Bay and southwestern part of Hạ Long Bay These islands represent the most ancient images of a geographical site having a tectonic age of from 250 million to 280 million years They are the result of many times of rising and lowering processes of the continent to form a karst The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique Hạ Long Bay in the world In a not very large area, thousands of islands with different forms look like glittering emeralds attached to the blue scarf of a virgin The area where many stone islands concentrate has spectacular scenes and world-famous caves and is the center of Ha Long Bay Natural Heritage, including HaLong Bay and a part of Bái Tu Long Bay The area is recognized as the World Natural Heritage that is the area of 434 sq km with 775 islands It looks like a giant triangle with Ðầu Gỗ Island (in the west), Ba Hầm Lake (in the south) and Cống Tây Island (in the east) as its three angle points The nearby area is the buffer area and areas classified as national beauty spots in 1962 by the Ministry of Culture and Information Viewed from above, Hạ Long Bay looks like an extremely vivid huge drawing This is a wonderful and skilful masterpiece of the Creation and of nature that turns thousands of dumb soulless stone islands into fantastic sculptural and artistic works of various graceful shapes, both familiar and strange to human beings Thousands of islands emerging uneven in the fanciful waves look strong and magnificent but also mild and vivid Amidst these islands we feel as if we were astray in a petrified legendary world There are many names given to islands according to their shapes and forms This one looks like somebody heading toward the shore: Hòn Ðầu Người (Human Head Island); that one looks like a dragon hovering above the sea surface: Hòn Rơng (Dragon Island); another looks like an old man sitting fishing: Hòn Lã Vọng; some look like big sails struggling amidst the wind to set off for the sea: Hòn Cánh Buồm (Sail Island); then two islands look like a pair of chicken lovingly playing with each other above the sea: Hòn Trống Mái (Male and Female Chicken Island); and amid the vast sea stands an island like a big incense burner like a ritual offering to Heaven: Hòn Lư Hương (Incense Burner Island) All are so real that people are taken aback by them Those stone islands have experienced unpredictable changes over time and they take different shapes from different angles of view Here, we come to realize that they are not dumb inanimate things but are vivid and soulful Inside the stone islands are various breath-taking caves, such as Thiên Cung, Ðầu Gỗ, Sửng Sốt, Trinh Nữ, Tam Cung and others These are really magnificent palaces of the Creation on earth Long ago, Hạ Long Bay has been called by the great national poet Nguyễn Trãi:“a wonder of the earth erected towards the high sky” Many men of letters from all over the world have been taken aback at the grandiose scenery of Hạ Long They seem to get puzzled and incompetent as their treasure of vocabulary is not rich enough to depict the splendor of this place Hạ Long Bay is also attached to glorious pages of Vietnamese history, with famous sites such as Vân Ðồn, a bustling trade port in the 12th century, charming Bài Thơ Mountain, and not very far away from here is the Bạch Đằng River which witnessed two famous naval battles of the Viêt’s ancestors against invaders Also, Hạ Long is one of the cradles of human kind with the glorious Hạ Long culture in the late Neolithic age, discovered at such archeological sites as Ðộng Mang, Xích Thổ, Soi Nhụ and Thoi Giếng Hạ Long is also home to great biodiversity with typical eco-systems like mangrove forest, coral and tropical forest It is also home to thousands of plants and animals of numerous species, for example shrimp, fish and squid Some species are particularly rare and can be found no where else With such special values, at the 18th Session of UNESCO’s Council of World Heritage held on 17 December 1994 in Thailand, Hạ Long Bay was officially placed on the list of the World Natural Heritage In 2000, UNESCO recognized it as the World Heritage for the second time for its geographical and geomorphologic values This confirms the global premier value of Hạ Long Bay Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace) Grotto This recently discovered grotto is one of the most beautiful in Halong Bay Thien Cung is situated on the southwest side of the bay, km from the wharf outside of Halong City It is located in a small range of islands that resemble a throne embracing two superb grottoes at its core The way to Thien Cung is perilous, covered on both sides by thick forest After entering a narrow gate, the magnificent, 130 m long grotto opens up According to legend, a beautiful young lady named May (cloud) caught the eye of the Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her They were betrothed and got married in the very center of the grotto All of the scenes of their wedding, which lasted for seven days and seven nights, have been seemingly fossilized in the grotto In the center, there are four large pillars supporting the "roof of heaven" From the base to the top, many strange images seem to exist in the stone, including birds, fish, flowers and even scenes of human life On the north wall of the grotto, a group of fairies seems to be singing and dancing in honor of the wedding Under the immeasurably high roof, stalactites form a natural stone curtain There is also the sound of a beating drum made by the wind blowing through the stone In the last chamber of the grotto, a natural gushing stream of water babbles throughout the year Here there are three small ponds of clear water One path meanders out of the grotto Dau Go (Driftwood) Grotto Dau Go Grotto is found on Driftwood Island, formerly known as Canh Doc Island The name Driftwood Grotto comes from the popular story of the resistance war against the Nguyen Mong aggressors In a decisive battle, Tran Hung Dao was given an order to prepare many ironwood stakes to be planted on the riverbed of the Bach Dang River The remaining wooden pieces were found in the grotto and, as a result, the grotto was given its present name The entrance is reached via 90 steps up the island The grotto is divided into three main parts In the first chamber, many forms can be seen in the rock, depending on the imagination of the observer In the middle of the chamber, on the top of the pillar, there appears to be a monk draped in a long, dark cloak, with his right hand clasping a cane Moving into the second chamber, visitors pass through a narrow "door", naturally formed through erosion The light here is mysterious, and new images appear in the stone At the end of the grotto is a well of clear water surrounded by four ancient walls In this grotto, there remains an engraved stone stele singing the praises of Halong Bay ordered by Emperor Khai Dinh when he came to visit the grotto in 1917 Dau Go is 40 minutes from Bai Chay Trinh Nu (Virgin) Grotto-Trong (Male) Grotto The Virgin Grotto is situated in the island range of Bo Hon, in the system comprised of the Surprise Grotto, Dong Tien Lake, and Luon Grotto The grotto is 15 km south of Bai Chay Beach For some fishermen, the Virgin Grotto is home, while for young lovers it is a popular romantic rendezvous site According to legend, there once was a beautiful fisherman's daughter, whose family was so poor that they were in service of the rich administrator of the fishing zone, who forced the family to give him their daughter as a concubine However, the fisherman’s daughter already had a lover and refused to marry the administrator The administrator got angry and exiled her to a wild island where she suffered from hunger and exhaustion One frightful night she turned to stone On this same night, her lover, knowing of her danger, rowed his boat in search of her However, a tempest destroyed his boat, and he floated to a nearby island In a flash of lightening, he saw his lover in the distance, but his calls were driven away by the wind In his final exhaustion, he also turned to stone (today’s Male Grotto) When visiting the Virgin Grotto, you can still see the petrified girl with her long hair hanging down and eyes looking towards the mainland Opposite the Virgin Grotto, the Male Grotto is still home to the lover whose his face is turned towards his mate At times, his passionate calls and blows against the walls of the grotto can still be heard Sung Sot Grotto Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area, the Sửng Sôt or Surprise Grotto is on Bồ Hòn Island, and is one of the finest and widest grottoes of Hạ Long Bay Ascending to the grotto, the way is covered by trees and foliage, and consists of great paved stone blocks Inside; it is partitioned into two chambers; the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall Many stalactites hang from the high ceiling, with numerous possible forms and shapes A narrow passage leads to the second rooms, where a flow of light meets visitors The chamber is so immense it could contain thousands of people at one time At the deepest point of the grotto, a "royal garden" appears with a clear pond and a seemingly fascinating landscape of mountains Many birds and plants (benjamin figs, cycads and centenary banyan trees) live here On nice days groups of monkeys might arrive in search of fruit It is situated in the central tourism centre of the bay, as well as Ti Tốp Beach, Bô Nâu Grotto, Mê Cung Grotto and Luồn Grotto French named it "grotte des surprises" (grotto of surprise) From the wharf, you climb 50 steep stone stairs to the mouth of the grotto, which lies 25 m above the sea level Going down some 10 stone stairs, you reach the mouth of a grotto The grotto covers some 10,000 m2 Inside the grotto there have thousands of stalactites and stalagmites along the 500-meter paved passage Light posts line the passage and serve as signposts and ornaments The lighting system with elegant styles adds more charm to the beauty of the grotto Up in the 30-meter roof of the grotto, one can figure out small, soft and even concave spots, which look like patterns in the ceiling of a theater A huge piece of stone stands up to the ceiling by the grotto’s mouth This evidences one of the typical karst-style grottoes with high scientific values At the side of the entrance, the rock seems to form the shape of a horse with a long sword Legend has it, that after having defeated the Ân aggressors, Thánh Gióng (the Saint Gióng) helped the population to chase away evil spirits and demons After this feat, Saint Gióng flew to heaven, leaving a stone horse and sword to continue to keep the demons away Geographical position Ha Long Bay is located in the northeast corner of Viet Nam, 165 km from Ha Noi In the Province of Quang Ninh Ha Long Bay covers an area of 1,553 km2 with 1,969 islands, of which 90% are limestone islands To the west and north west, Ha Long Bay stretches from Yen Hung district in Ha Long city to Cam Pha town in Van Don district; to the south-east and in the south, Ha Long Bay borders the western shore of Tonkin Gulf; to the southwest the Bay borders Cat Ba island (Hai Phong province) In 1962, Ha Long Bay was recognized as a vestige and beauty spot of national significances by Ministry of Culture and Information of Viet Nam and was also recognized as a world national heritage site twice by UNESCO organization The first time, in 1994 for the exceptional and universal value of the landscape and the second time in 2000 for the special value of geology and geomorphology Ha Long Bay’s center area was regognized as a world heritage area by UNESCO and covers an area of 434 sq Km, including 775 islands, of which 411 are named It is bound by Dau Go island( in the west), Dau Be island (in the south) and Cong Tay island(in the east) A buffer zone lies around the World Heritage Area, the width is about - km from the protection line to the sea , on moving scale of 1-2 km Climate The climate of Ha Long Bay is tropical, being wet and hot It is devides into four main seasons: winter is from November to March of following year, the temperatures drop to between 15oC - 20oC Summer is from May to September, the temperatures increases to between 26oC-27oC Two others seaons: Spring and Autumn, climate is cool The annually average temperature between 18oC - 19oC Annual rainfall averages from 2.000mm- 2.200mm The salinity of seawater divides into between seasons: rainy season 21‰-22‰, dry season 32‰-33‰ The bottom of bay is quite flat with the average depth of -10m, in some parts 15-29m depth There are narrow passages such as: Cua Luc(20m), The Vang(22-27m) and the others with 9-10m depth Thanks to the system of islands and islets, the waves in Ha Long Bay are quite light, here is a uniform daily tide vanation of 3,5-4m The low spring tides in March, April, August and December, the highest tide is in January, June, July and December History of the name”Halong” The name Ha Long is literally translated as “Descending Dragons” Prior to the 19th century, this name was not recorded in any documents or archives When mentioning the present-day Ha Long Bay, old historical books often referred to them as the seas of Giao Chau, Luc Chau, Luc Thuy, Van Don, Hai Dong or An Bang Not until the late 19th century did the name Ha Long Bay appear on the Bac Bo Gulf (Tonkin Gulf) chart of the French So when did the name Ha Long Bay originate? A legend has been handed down in the local area relating to the name Ha Long Bay, which says: “Long ago, in the first founding days, the Viet people were attacked by foreign aggressors The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and a herd of Child Dragons to help the Viet fight the invaders While the enemy vessels were launching massive attacks against the mainland, the dragons descended in flocks from the sky They spat out innumerable pearls which, in a moment, were changed into innumerable stone islands linked together into a firm citadel that checked the enemy’s advance and smashed their vessels into pieces After the invaders were driven out, Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons did not return to Heaven but stayed on earth, right at the place where the battle occurred The spot where the Mother Dragon landed was Ha Long, and where the Child Dragons came down was Bai Tu Long The place where their tails violently wagged was called Long Vi( present Tra Co peninsula) The Legend glued to the orgination of children of the Fairy and the Dragon Dragon and fairy symbilized to the traditional strength of fatherland and the poetic name of this area , which named by the local people Nowadays, many names of islands and islets on Halong Bay contains Dragon(Rong) like: Dau Rong(Dragon head), Mat Rong(Dragon eyes), Hon Rong(Dragon Islets), Cai Rong anf faraway Long Chau, Bach Long Vi(White Dragon tail) Thien Cung Grotto (Halong City) It is situated on the south-west side the bay, km from the wharf outside of Ha Long City The way to Thiên Cung is a perilous one, covered on both sides by thick forest After entering a narrow gate, the grotto’s 130-meter-long girth opens up Getting in we are more astonished in front of the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from stalactite On the east wall BO NAU GROTTO (PELICAN GROTTO) Some 2-3 km southeast of Trống Mái Islet lies Bồ Nâu Grotto or Pelican Grotto This vaulted grotto covers 200 m2 The floor of the grotto is wide and flat, but not deep, and its wall features lots of stalactites and stalagmites - See more at: http://baitulongbay.com.vn/en/post/bo-nau-grotto-pelican-grotto#sthash.z39D08Wp.dpuf of the grotto, there is a grandiose and imposing picture with characters of tales DAU GO CAVE (CAVE OF WONDERS) The grotto is on Driftwood Island Seen from afar, the entrance to the grotto appears to be blue, and has a shape similar to that of a jellyfish After 90 steps up the island, the entrance is reached The ceiling of the grotto is about 25 m Hundreds of stalactites falling down from the roof of the grotto look like a waterfall The grotto is divided into three main parts The exterior is a room with a vault full of natural light Many forms may be seen in the rock formations of the chamber, depending on the imagination of the visitor of course Crossing the first chamber, one enters the second chamber through a narrow passage The light here is mysterious, and new images appear in the stone It makes us having a fear and be inquisitive The third chamber of the grotto is widely opened At the end of the grotto is a well of clear water Looking up in the dim light we recognize that surrounded is the image of an ancient citadel and a scuffle of elephants, horses, man with bristly sword and spear All are making a rush and be petrified suddenly The name Driftwood Grotto came from a popular story of the resistance war against the Yuan – Mongolian aggressors In a decisive battle, Trân Hưng Ðậo was given the order to prepare many ironwood stakes here, to be planted on the riverbed of Bạch Ðằng River The remaining wooden pieces found in the grotto have given it its present name And the name Giâu Gô is associated with the legend that General Trân Hưng Ðạo (1226-1300) hid ironwood stakes in preparation for the Bạch Đằng battle against the Yuan-Mongolian invaders If the Thiên Cung Grotto is monumental and modern (in its natural form), then Driftwood Grotto is solemn, but also grandiose In “Marvels of the World,” published in France in 1938, the author called the grotto “Grotte des merveilles” (a site of many marvels) In the first chamber, in the very middle of the grotto, is a colossal pillar supporting the large vault On the top of the pillar, there appears to be a monk draped in a long, dark cloak, with his right hand clasping a cane The second chamber is narrow Here, the stalactites look smaller but more graceful One feels like going to a pagoda with a monk in meditation so that one steps more gently The third chamber features high stone columns out of which nature has carved images of a large kingdom, of heroes and soldiers holding swords and spears rushing up, of war elephants and horses or lions, etc All of them suddenly was petrified and remained there for good - See more at: http://baitulongbay.com.vn/en/post/dau-go-cave-cave-of-wonders#sthash.3pwG1Vk9.dpuf Going out of the Thiên Cung Grotto, we have a sensation of just watching a unique, meticulous, interesting fine-art museum which is made by nature, get out of the imagine, ability and intellect of man This grotto is recently discovered, one of the most beautiful grottoes in Hạ Long Bay Legend has it, that beautiful young lady named Mây (cloud), caught the eye of the Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her They were betrothed, and their wedding lasted seven days and seven nights in the very centre of the grotto In honour of the wedding, small dragons flew about through the stalactites and stalagmites, elephants danced together happily, snakes twined themselves around trees and two stone lions danced with their manes flowing in the wind A large elephant, smartly dressed, waited for the bride and the groom The genies of the south and north stars also came to attend the banquet, and the atmosphere was definitely animated and lively All these scenes have been seemingly fossilized in the grotto In the centre are four large pillars supporting the “roof of heaven.” From the base to the top, many strange images seem to live in the stone: birds, fish, flowers and even scenes of human life On the north wall of the grotto a group of fairies seem to dance and sing in honour of the wedding Under the immeasurably high roof, stalactites make a natural stone curtain Somewhere there is the sound of a drum beating, but it is actually just the noise made by the wind blowing through stone Arriving at the last partition of the grotto, a natural gushing stream of water babbles throughout the year Here are three small ponds of clear water Legend has it, that this was where Mây bathed her 100 children, bringing them up wisely and happily into adolescence One path meanders out of the grotto; it was the way Mây, together with 50 of her children, took to harvest new lands The 50 remaining children, together with their father, were left to build the native land Left behind by the mother was the natural stream described above - LUON GROTTO (HALONG BAY) Situated on Bồ Hòn Island, 14 km south of Bãi Cháy Beach is the Luồn Grotto In front of the grotto is Con Rùa Islet, and the Sky Gate is on the right Here the cliffs stretch vertically out of the pure blue and smooth water At the water-level, an arched entrance leads to the grotto, just at the base of the island Passing through the pretty entrance, you come across a tranquil round lake, surrounded by luxuriant trees and high dangerous stone walls Monkeys run to and fro in groups, Benjamin fig trees shade the landscape and many orchids hang their sweet-scented flowers In the lake, many species abound: shrimp, fish, crab and cuttle-fish TITOP BEACH Some 14 km east of Bai Chay is Ti Top Beach, which takes the shape of a crescent encompassing the island Small though it might be, it wins kudos for its quiet and airy atmosphere, its clean and clear waters, as well as its alluring landscape In 1962, President Ho Chi Minh and the Russian astronaut Germane Ti Top came to this beach Hence its name Ti Top At present, there has a bar in the island, which also provides swimming costumes, floats, and lukewarm shower Fresh water was carried to the island from inland The Ti Top Beach has become a popular tourist destination The beach boasts pristine white sand, clear and blue water and small waves, which make it ideal for recreational activities like swimming and other sea sports At present, there has a bar in the island which also provides swimming costumes, floats and lukewarm shower Fresh water was carried to the island from inland Swimming at Ti Top Beach is really enjoyable After swimming, you can enjoy fresh sea food specialties in an ideal environment of immense sky and sunshine This beach is very beautiful and is well worth a visit to cool off when the heat starts to get to you If you spend a day at the beach and elect to take a deckchair, you will be asked to buy a baguette, some lovely pineapple or a drink; otherwise you will have to pay for the seat During the full moon, you are able to wander around until late at night The island has become a popular tourist destination On summer holidays, the famous beach of Ti Top Island cools off visitors heading to Quang Ninh Province and you will surely have a chance to join in an interesting journey to the natural wonder… Sacred animals in Vietnamese culture and architecture Friday, July 12, 2013 - 16:24:26 (VOVworld) – According to Vietnamese belief, the sacred animals including the dragon, unicorn, tortoise and phoenix symbolize power, intellect, longevity and nobility Probably, for this meaning, these animals have been seen in many architectural works The sacred animals of the dragon, unicorn, tortoise and phoenix were mythologized by the Vietnamese The images of dragon appear in architectural decorations in Royal Palaces, temples, pagodas and tombs The Vietnamese dragon looks lither and more flowing than in other Asian countries The S-shaped curves are indispensable A dragon decorated in pagodas and palaces always has its head up, wide mouth holding a jade, a flame-like crest and body flying together in one movement, creating a close-fitting structure The image of the dragon has been modified over time Looking at dragon images on historical relics or architectural pieces, one can guess the from which dynasty these items date Cultural researcher Dang Van Ban told VOV: “The dragon image reflects people’s desire to free themselves from restrictions and limitations The dragon can fly in the sky, hide in the clouds, swim, walk and crawl The dragon symbolizes human aspiration for strength and freedom to live a better life” The unicorn, the second mythical animal of the sacred animals represents prestige, peace and good luck The unicorn has a strange appearance, half dragon-half mammal; sometimes it has only one horn, which never butts anybody and symbolizes mercy The Vietnamese believe that the unicorn is a strong and faithful animal, suitable for guarding pagodas and places of worship The third animal is the tortoise, the symbol of strength and longevity There is a myth about the tortoise god, who helped King An Duong Vuong build Co Loa citadel on the outskirts of Hanoi The famous Hoan Kiem Lake or Lake of the Restored Sword in the center of Hanoi is associated with a myth about King Le Loi, who returned the sword to the tortoise god after defeating his enemies A one-hundred-year-old tortoise is believed to still be living in the lake Tortoise imagery can be seen in pagodas, temples and shrines In the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university built in 1070, there are 82 steles of doctors placed on the backs of stone tortoises to underscore the importance of learning Cultural researcher Doctor Dang Kim Ngoc told us: “According to the ancient Viet belief, the tortoise is the embodiment of firmness, longevity and endurance In the early 15 th century with the development of Confucianism, the Le dynasty built these doctors’ steles to honor those with high academic records and preserve the tradition of learning to pass on to the next generations” The phoenix is a beautiful and noble bird The Viet people believe that a phoenix bodes well for those areas where it settles The combination of tge dragon and phoenix represent lovers’ happiness, good luck, position and fame At any time, images of the sacred animals are integral parts of Vietnam’s culture, reflecting their desire for peace, prosperity and happiness Tale of Vietnamese Dragon In Asian myths, no creature is as impressive as the dragon For Vietnamese peasants, the dragon was a vivid symbol of the fourfold deity-clouds, rain, thunder and lighting Represented by an S shape, dragons are depicted on artifacts dating back to the Dong Son-Au Lac culture, which existed in northern Vietnam in the first millennium B.C Later came the cult of Tu Phap, or the Four Miracles Long ago stargazers identified the Dragon constellation made up of seven stars arranged like an S The brightest star is the Mind (Tam), also known as the Divine (Than) star The word Than may also be read as Thin (Dragon), which denotes the third month of the lunar calendar and represents the Yang vital energy Dragons were also associated with kingship Every Vietnamese person knows the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co Lac Long Quan (King Dragon of the Lac Bird Clan) is known as the forefather of the Vietnamese people He is said to have been the son of a dragon, while his wife, Au Co, was the child of a fairy Their eldest son, King Hung, taught the people to tattoo their chests, bellies and thighs with dragon images to protect themselves from aquatic monsters During the Ly Dynasty (11th to early 13th centuries), the dragon became a common decorative motif in plastic arts In the royal edict on the transfer of the capital to Thang Long in 1010, it was written: “The Capital is chosen due to the lay of the land, which affects a coiling dragon and a sitting tiger” During the Ly Dynasty (11th to early 13th centuries), the dragon became a common decorative motif in plastic arts In the royal edict on the transfer of the capital to Thang Long in 1010, it was written: “The Capital is chosen due to the lay of the land, which affects a coiling dragon and a sitting tiger” Legend has it that on the sunny day when the royal barge landed at Dai La, the king saw a golden dragon rise into the sky Taking this as a good omen, he named the new capital Thang Long, or City of the Soaring Dragon The modern city of Hanoi stands on this same site The Ly king had a cluster of shops and inns built up to the walls of an ancient temple once dedicated to the dragon deity One night, the dragon deity revealed himself in the form of a violent northerly wind, which knocked down all of the houses but left the temple intact Following this event, the king cheerfully proclaimed: “This is the Dragon God, who takes his charge over earthly affairs” The Ly dragon was derived from India’s mythical Naga, which Southeast Asian peoples influenced by Indian mythology had transformed into a sea god The Ly depiction of the dragon is both sophisticated and unique The dragon’s elaborate head is raised, flame-co loured crest thrust out, a jewel held in its jaws Its mane, ears and beard flutter gracefully behind, while its lithe, undulating body soars above the waves The dragon was usually depicted inside a stone, a piece of wood, a bodhi leaf, or a lotus petal Dragon images appear on the pedestals of statues of Amitabha Avalokitecvara (Kwan Kin), on cylindrical stone pillars in the hall dedicated to heaven in Thang Long Citadel, and on a five meter-high hexagonal stone pillar in Giam Pagoda in Bac Ninh province The latter is considered by art historians to be a colossal linga Lingas symbolize the male Yang element, while dragons symbolize the Yin element That dragons, or long, associated with royalty, are revealed by the names given to the king’s personal effects and person, such as long (royal tunics), long chau (royal boat), long thi (royal person), and long dien (royal countenance) During the Tran Dynasty (early 13th to end of 14th centuries), the dragon retained the sophisticated style of the Ly dragon, yet changed to reflect the greater authority of the dynasty which defeated invading Mongol forces three times The image became more detailed, with a large head, forked horn, four fierce a claws (stone carving in Boi Khe Pagoda), and a massive, rounded body, covered in carp scales (Pho Minh Pagoda) Dynasty (early 15th to end of 18th centuries) With a raised head, forked horn, wide forehead, prominent nose, large, forceful eyes, five claws, and two splayed feet, a dragon crept up the balustrade of Kinh Thien Hall’s central staircase This fierce and imposing dragon was clearly a symbol of royal authority Examples of Le era dragons may be found carved in stone in Co Loa Temple, carved on wooden doors in Keo Pagoda, and carved in the royal stone bed in Dinh Temple The Nguyen Dynasty (early 19th to mid 20th centuries) had dragons much like those of the Le The top ridges of palace roofs were decorated with undulating dragons covered in sparkling porcelain tiles Initially, dragons in Vietnam were associated with water and Yin energy Dragons were popular among the common people, who believed that rain was created by nine dragons, which took water from the sea to pour down on the rice paddies The dragon dance, a great favorite among people of all walks of life, was used to invoke rain Many place names in Vietnam bear the word long (dragon), as in Ha Long Bay (Where the Dragon Descended) or the Cuu Long River (Nine Dragons) Dragons occupied the top position in traditional geomancy, especially for sovereigns It was said that Le Hoan was able to found the Anterior Le Dynasty (980-1009 A.D.) because his grandfather’s tomb was situated on a “vein in the dragon’s jaw” The Royal Chronicle of the Restored Le Dynasty contains a story about Prince Lang Lieu, who saw a black dragon perched on his father’s tomb “Golden dragons for emperors, black dragons for kings,” states this ancient text Like Chinese monarchs, Vietnamese sovereigns chose the dragon as the symbol of their power But unlike the Chinese dragons, which were shown descending from heaven and spitting fire, the Vietnamese dragons were shown ascending from water Though imposing and fierce, the Vietnamese dragons were never threatening ... years Halong Bay Introduction Thảo luận The end of the Vietnam war, and the advent of "Doi moi", Vietnam' s policy of opening its economy to foreign trade, means that Westerners and South Vietnamese... international trading port of Vietnam In the history of the nation foundation and protection of Vietnam, Ha Long Bay also is the place of three glorious victories for the Vietnamese people from the... spectacular scenes and world-famous caves and is the center of Ha Long Bay Natural Heritage, including HaLong Bay and a part of Bái Tu Long Bay The area is recognized as the World Natural Heritage that