Ha Long Bay is a body of water located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Quang Ninh Province, Viet Nam. Geographically, the bay covers an area of approximately 1,500 square kilometers. Out of its total area, the core zone protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site encompasses around 434 square kilometers.
The maritime boundaries of Ha Long Bay adjoin two surrounding sea areas. To the northeast, the bay borders Bai Tu Long Bay, while the southern section borders the Cat Ba Archipelago.
Beyond the core conservation zone lies a buffer area spanning 1,119 square kilometers surrounding the bay. The presence of the buffer zone complements the spatial zoning of the protected area.
The waters of Ha Long Bay are characterized by thousands of limestone pillars and islets rising above the sea surface. Most of the rock formations are uninhabited, which form a network of small islands.
Variations of Landscapes in the Marine Area
Most of the limestone pillars in Ha Long Bay feature nearly vertical cliffs. The upper sections of the rock formations are generally covered with tropical vegetation.
The average water depth within the bay ranges between 5 and 10 meters. In several spots, the seabed consists of silt deposits and fine sand.
In addition to the limestone pillars, the natural landscape of the area includes natural cave passages and sandy beach coves. Sung Sot Cave and Thien Cung Cave are two sea cave formations located within the core area.
Several rock pillars have specific names based on their visual appearance. Formations recorded in the area include Hon Ga Choi, or Fighting Cocks Islet, and Hon Dinh Huong, or Incense Burner Islet.
On certain rock islands, deep lagoons connect to the open sea through narrow cliff passages. The geological structure separates inner water coves from open maritime routes.
Maritime Access Routes
All maritime areas of Ha Long Bay connect via boat navigation routes originating from the mainland. Maritime operations concentrate at two primary hubs: Tuan Chau Port and Ha Long International Cruise Port.
Local authorities established five designated navigation routes from the ports. Each route determines the series of destinations visited by vessels, ranging from sea caves and island beaches to overnight anchorage sites.
Vessel routes lead to several stopover points across the bay, including Titov Island. On this island, the navigation route connects to a pier area and a staircase leading to a hilltop viewpoint.
Overnight vessels utilize designated anchorage locations for evening stops. The official anchorage areas are situated near Luon Cave and Lom Bo Island.
To navigate shallow waters and narrow cliff gaps, operations rely on wooden rowboats or kayaks. Small craft serve to reach inner water caves and cove areas.
Floating Village Life in the Bay
Beyond serving as exploration areas for small craft, traditional fishing settlements also stand across several calm water spots. Settlements located in the aquatic area include Cua Van, Ba Hang, and Vung Vieng.
Houses stand on wooden rafts and buoyant drums anchored in the bay. Local activities focus on marine aquaculture and net-cage fish farming.
The Quang Ninh Provincial Government initiated a settlement management program in 2014. The policy relocated residents from floating rafts to mainland housing areas in the Ha Phong ward.
Remaining raft structures within the bay now function as maritime cultural exhibition sites and rowboat docks. Preserved facilities include the Cua Van Floating Cultural Center, which houses documentation and traditional fishing gear.
