Halong is part of Quang Ning province bordering China in the north, located 170 kilometers from Ha Noi. Halong Bay is boasted for its wondrous landscape of limestone mountains jutting up from the emerald water. More than 1000 islands scatter over the area of 1,500 square kilometers with their spectacular formations; several of them are riddled with beautiful caves offering dazzling stalactites. "Ha Long" meaning "descending dragon" concerns a legend telling about a dragon that created the bay and islands with its flailing tail. Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam's marvels, and it was accredited to be one of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.

Halong Bay is located about 165 km east of Hanoi, in Quang Ninh Province. The bay covers an area of over 1500 sq km and consists of thousands of limestone karsts and islands with fine beaches. The largest of the islands is Cat Ba, which at 356 sq km encompasses freshwater swamps, clean beaches and caves. The northeast part of the island has been designated a national park, which also includes a marine reserve.