Details About Hongai (Hanoi)

Hong Gai is gateway to Halong Bay and the Red River Delta. This region, the Bay of the Descending Dragon, is dotted with more than 3,000 mountainous islands, each with its own unique landscape. The islands are famous for their dolomite and limestone rock formations, many of which have been given names. Natural grottos, fjords, land tunnels and inlets are also common. During the Vietnam War, numerous large ships sailed through the open waters of the bay. At the western end of Halong Bay is the limestone Cat Ba Island, where Chinese and Vietnamese pirates settled during the late 19th century. Today a large section of the island is devoted to a protected national park.