Ha Long Bay

Nearly 3,000 limestone islands, called karsts, emerge mystically from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Ha Long Bay, translated literally as the Bay of Descending Dragons, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. A Ha Long Bay cruise to take in these strangely sculpted karsts, which hide caves, lagoons and beaches, is a must on any Vietnam vacation. Add a kayaking excursion for an up-close-and-personal experience of this dream-like masterpiece of nature as you explore hidden caves that are only revealed at low tide through the chinks in the cliffs.