Vinh Ha Long means Bay of the Descending Dragon. The origin of this name is linked to one of the many skirmishes the Vietnamese had with their mighty neighbour up north, China. According to legend, during one of the invasions mounted by the Chinese on Vietnam, the Vietnamese called upon the gods for assistance. The gods sent a troop of dragons to help defend the land. The dragons descended in Vietnam at Halong Bay. Out of their mouths came - not fire - but jewels, and these jewels transformed into the many isles and islets dotting the bay. These tiny islands became a natural shield against sea invasion, and three times in Vietnamese history, the labyrinthine passages through the islands prevented the Chinese from landing. Even the Mongols were thwarted in their 13th century attempt to conquer Vietnam - the Vietnamese led by General Tran Hung Dao planted steel-tipped wooden stakes into the sea bed. When the Mongol fleet passed through them, the stakes punctured their ships, sinking them.

Halong Bay covers an area of 1500 square kilometres. Within this area is close to two thousand limestone islands (someone counted and claimed there're 1969 islands) that jut out in spectacular fashion from the sea. The islands are similar to those at Phangnga Bay in Thailand, and come in unusual shapes. Some of these have their own names, such as Fighting Cock Island, a pair of limestone outcrops that look more like a two chicks about to, not fight, but kiss. There are so many islands, but the ones I can name include Yen Ngua Islet, Ba Trai Dao Islet, Con Coc Islet, Cong Do Island, Soi Sim Islet. We stopped over at Ti Top Island where we climbed up to the view point right up at the top.

The islands of Halong Bay are pockmarked with caves and grottoes. The largest of these is Sung Sut Cave. The scenery from the mouth of the cave is simply postcard perfect. The other significant caves in Halong Bay include Ba Ham Cave, Bo Nau Cave, Dau Go Cave, Kim Quy Cave, Luon Cave, Me Cung Cave, Tam Cung Cave, Thien Cung Cave and Trinh Nu Cave.