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One of the wonders of Vietnam, and a World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay contains over 3000 islands (limestone karst formations) in a area roughly comparable to Greater London. There are caves, grottoes, even a few beaches, but mostly the extraordinary views among the islands. It's a 165 km bus journey from Hanoi, but well worth it. We took far too many photos of the islands and boats, so we've tried to be selective here.

32 photographs - click any one to see an enlargement (Please see the note on the home page about popup blockers).

Approaching by bus: the first glimpse of some karsts across the rice paddies
Approaching by bus: the first glimpse of some karsts...
One of the junks that cruise round the bay, docked at Ha Long City
One of the junks that cruise round the bay, docked at...
Another junk, with a rather elaborate cabin
Another junk, with a rather elaborate cabin
Our junk was too big and luxurious to dock, so we took this boat out to it
Our junk was too big and luxurious to dock, so we...
The boats disperse across the bay - and there's plenty of room for them!
The boats disperse across the bay - and there's...
An island with a couple of small pavilions (temples?)
An island with a couple of small pavilions (temples?)
The same island with its beach
The same island with its beach
A shot of islands - the kind of photo we have too many of!
A shot of islands - the kind of photo we have too...
The Dragon's Pearl, our superb accommodation for the trip
The Dragon's Pearl, our superb...
[ Dragon's Pearl ]
This gives an idea of the cragginess of the rocks
This gives an idea of the cragginess of the rocks
Hang Sung Sot ('Amazing Caves')
Hang Sung Sot ('Amazing Caves')
[ Hang Sung Sot ]
Looking over the bay after emerging from Hang Sung Sot
Looking over the bay after emerging from Hang Sung Sot
You wonder how some of them stay up
You wonder how some of them stay up
Getting late in the day
Getting late in the day
Another that looks as if it might topple any day
Another that looks as if it might topple any day
The locals still fish here - and apparently hang up their washing to dry
The locals still fish here - and apparently hang up...
Yes, that is a tiny gap below the rock
Yes, that is a tiny gap below the rock
One of the many junks plying the waters loaded with tourists - note the dragon's head on the bow
One of the many junks plying the waters loaded with...
Our guide Ngoc (in the hat) ready to take some of our group kayaking
Our guide Ngoc (in the hat) ready to take some of our...
There they go with the kayaks in tow
There they go with the kayaks in tow
Time for another shot of some islands
Time for another shot of some islands
A lone fisherman
A lone fisherman
Van Boi Beach, ready for lunch
Van Boi Beach, ready for lunch
[ Van Boi Beach ]
Atmospheric sky
Atmospheric sky
There are lots of these little lighthouses dotted about
There are lots of these little lighthouses dotted about
More islands, with a freight vessel in the distance
More islands, with a freight vessel in the distance
Returning to Ha Long City, showing the beginnings of a new bridge
Returning to Ha Long City, showing the beginnings of...
The Emeraude, reputedly extremely expensive and luxurious
The Emeraude, reputedly extremely expensive and luxurious
Back at the dock
Back at the dock
A load of junks
A load of junks
A confusion of masts
A confusion of masts
One last shot at the dock
One last shot at the dock

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