Situated in the northeast of Vietnam, Halong bay is the part of the Gulf of Bac Bo, and comprises Halong City, the township of Cam pha and a part of the island district of Van Don. To the South – west it borders the island of Catba, to the east is the sea and the main land follow a coastline of 120km. it stretches between the 106,58 and 107,22 eastern meridians and the 20,45 and 20,50 northern parallels

Topography:

Ha Long Bay covers a total area of 1,553 sq,km, including 1,969 Islands and islets of various sizes, 989 of which which have been given names. There are two kinds, lime stone and schist, with are concentrated in two main zones; the south east ( belonging to Bai Tu Long Bay), and the South-West belonging to Halong Bay. The average geological age of the islands is between 250 and 280 million years old.
The densely concentrated zone of stone islands, grottoes and caves, World famous for its spectacular scenery, form the central zone of Halong Bay, which have been listed as one of UNESCO’s World heritage sites. This protected site covers an area of 434 sq.km, coprises 775 islands and forms a triagle; with the Dau go island (Drifwood island) to the west; The Baham lake(three shelter lakes) to the South; and the Cong Tay island to the East. The regions immediately surrounding the area were classified as the National site by th Ministry of culture and information in 1962

Climate:

Halong Bay is located in a tropical and temperate zone. The four distinct seasons are most evident in a year. The annual average temperature is 22,8 c the everage temperature in summer is 26,4 and the hottest temperature is 40OC. The annual average rain fall is 2,005.4mm. The period from May to October receives the more important rain fall. The winter last from 4 to 5 months. between the main two seasons are a shorter spring and autumn, the period from Aug to Oct is Typhoon season.

History:

Halong Bay have been called by the great national poet Nguyen Trai ” A wonder of the earth erected towards the high sky” It’s also a place closely linked to Vietnam’s history with such famous geographical name as Van Don (Site of ancient commercial port); Poem Moutain (engravings of many poems by Emperors and other famous people of the part); and Bach Dang river (the location of three fierce naval battales fougth against foreign aggressors).
This is not all; Halong has been proven by scientists to be one of the first cradle of human exitence in the area, with such archaeological sites as Dong Mang, Xich Tho, Soi Nhu and Thoi Gieng

Fauna and Flora:

Its also a region of highly concentrated biological diversity with many varied ecosystems of salt watter – flooded forests coral reefs and tropical forests, featuring thousands of diverse species of animal and plant life ….

The values of Biological diversity:

Halong bay has a very complicated structure with its meandering coastline and many river mouths. Rich and diversified sources of food for many species of plants and animals are also found here. In particular, the bay, partitioned by thousand of large and small islands, creates areas of water with an average and stable of sea level. Meanwhile, the climate in Halong bay is also stable, with an average temperature of between 19 to 25 and an average heat radiation rate of 17 kcal/sq. cm/month. it see an average rainfall of 2,000 to 2,200 mm/a year. these favourable condition has seen the development of many varied ecosystems.
Results of scientific research show that Halong bay features ecosystems of a tropical ocean region, such as ; saltwater-flooded forests, coral reefs and tropical rain forests.
In the sea surrounding Halong, coral grow in many places, but is densely concentrated on the eastern and southern sides, fer from the main land.
The coral forests of Halong are a wonderful sight, with many extraordinary shapes and diversified colours. When the tide flows, the coral moves with the water, pumping as rhythmically as a heartbeat. At the same time, the reefs are residence to a great number of species; fish (107 verities), water plants, algae and transitory animals and plants.
The salt water – flooded forests also offer especially interesting scenery along the coastline of Halong bay. These forests are chiefly concentrated in the zones of Tuan Chau, Cua luc and Ba che. Many species of salt water – flooded plants, the most diversified collection in the north Vietnam are found here.
The tropical rain forest ecosystem also features a rich quantity of species. This is the residence of various rare and precious creatures; deer, weasels,squirrels and in particular, white – tabby and red haired monkeys. At the same time, these is a systems of small cave along the sea, Which are the living and development places for many animals and plants sea weed, water plants,algae, fish and shrimp. Deeper in to the water, there are also many species of shrimps and fish(almost 1,000 species),abalone and other sea specialities.

Cultural & Historical value:

The beauty of Halong bay consists in its mountains, water, clouds, caves and grottoes. Many, however, do not realise that Halong was also the cradle of an ancient people who helped create the present Halong culture.
At the end of 1937, a Swedish archaeologist named Anderson, together with two french archaeologist sisters named Conani, journeyed for month throughHalong sea. they climbed mountains, visited caves and explored coastline, fiding many tone artifacts; axes, grinding tables, sewing needles and jewellery. They called the culture that form these remnants “Ngoc Vung” in the Months and years following, Vietnamese archaeologist continued their research and made many excavations; discovering more archaeological site, such as Dong Mang, Xich Tho and Soi Nhu. Through an area of some hundreds of sq.km, They discovered many stone artefacts and pieces of broken designed pottery.
Throughout its development, Halong has hada particularly important position; being situated on the communication routes between China, Japan and Thailand. Gradually, it became the centre of cultural and commercial exchanges between these coutries and ancient Vietnam. The book comprehensive history of Dai viet reads “in the second month of the spring of the year of Ky Ty, the 10th year of the reign of Ly Anh Tong (1149), the commercial port of Van Don was established”. In the long period over lapping the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties, Van Don was a place of busy commercial and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and its South-east Asian neighbours. A remaning vestige of the ancient commercial port is Cai Lang Whalf (Quan Lan Island)
Van Don is also a site that witnesed glorious feats of war against the invation of the Yuan-Mongol aggressors, it was herre that the enemy, General Truong Ho, has an entire fleet of food supply boats set ablaze by Tran Khanh Du.
Closely linked to this animated commercial centre were many religious architectural constructions built to meet the requirements of both traders and the poppulation tha tpractised Catholicism and Buddhism.