Vietnam: Ha Long Bay Images
Golden Junks at Ha long Bay
Bay of the Descending Dragons is such a dramatic phrase. It’s like going into a mythical world where magic and mythical creatures still exist. Quite unlikely in this day and age, but Ha Long Bay, which literally means the same phrase can be a good setting for a fantasy movie. This karst filled bay found in Quảng Ninh province in Vietnam, 170km east of Hanoi, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Let us go on a photographic journey in this natural wonder.
Junk Approaches
Junk Approaches. Inspired by the old and sturdy Chinese ships. This new ones are modifeed for live-aboard accommodations for tourist. For Handspan, we got the Aloha Junk Cruise which is around 112 USD per pax. It’s such a sweet deal since it covers everything from food, ship lodging, transpo to-and-fro Hanoi-Ha Long, sumptuous on board meals and entrance park tickets matched by quality service. Thumbs up.
Into the Karst Kingdom
Into the Karst Kingdom. From the port of Ha Long, it’s just a few minutes sail into the bay. There are several junks along for the sail but the bay is wide enough to accommodate most of them.
The Gate Way
The Gate Way. A lone junk is dwarfed as it passes through a couple of towering lime stones. Just an indication of the varying sizes of the karst dotting the Bay.
As far as the eyes can see
As far as the eyes can see. It’s hard not to compare this place to our very own Palawan. Indeed Coron and El Nido boast of numerous karst as well, but I guess around 2000 karst here clearly outnumbers both. Even if we’re cruising for more than a couple of hours there are still karst skyline fading into the horizon.
Ha Long Bay Fishermen
Ha Long Bay Fishermen. Of course the local colors in Ha Long Bay is hard to ignore. Much like our coastal livelihood, fishing is the main source.
It stands, I stood
It stands, I stood. It’s an amusing scene of a lone karst standing at the bay and a lone fisherman standing face to face with this karst. An image converted to monochrome to lessen the distraction of colors from the construction vessel at the background.
Not so whole hole
Not so whole hole. It’s quite amusing sometimes that a natural hole in nature can be treated as a grand attraction. It’s like the finger of God just punches through a wall and it ends up as nature’s art. This hole isn’t a complete big hole yet curious eyes are still caught by it.
Buy from me Sir?
Buy from me sir? A common phrase you’ll hear if you are a noticeable tourist in a foreign land. The bay is not an escape as locals bring their wares on a boat and repeat those phrases to you. It’s an amusing scene though very risky for these vendors as well. Like David and Goliath, these small vendor boats have to run away from the trail of larger junks. I guess their used to it, but still a dangerous job for them.
Seeing Green
Seeing Green. The tall lime stones in Ha Long Bay have a lush vegetation. The scene of this towering greens amidst the emerald sea is a soothing sight for the weary eyed.
A look at the side
A look on the side. Karst formations come in different forms and sizes. This is a photo converted to monochrome to highlight the contrast of this karst formation that resembles a profile of a man. An evident outline of a man that seems to look at the sea.
Where Tito P has landed?
Where Tito P has landed? A Karst beach island named after a cosmonaut, Tito P. The beach here is just ok, nothing to be raved about. If Ha Long Bay beats us through sheer numbers, our Palawan hands down has the most number of pristine beaches and crystal clear blue waters.
Nebulous Sunset
Nebulous Sunset. At Tito P Island, you can climb at the peak of its karst and have a 360 degree view of the bay. Frankly, it reminded me somehow of the climb at Mt. Tapyas in Coron. It has an amazing view of the islands and the bay. We waited for a while there for the sun to set but it was obscured by a set of low clouds. Nothing grand but the gradation of karst in the horizon shaded by the fading light is also a sight to see.
Tags: Ha Long Bay, Halong Bay, UNESCO, Vietnam
Posted on
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 1:47 pm 
Subscribe through 
July 8th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
uy, the halong images at last. ganda!
but you’re right, hindi magpapahuli ang palawan sa linis ng tubig at ganda ng paligid.
but nice, nice takes throughout bro wulf! more, more!
July 9th, 2008 at 7:49 am
ferdz, pang museum ang kuha ah. gandang ganda ako. do you have more to come?
July 9th, 2008 at 8:55 am
wow…ang ganda! ang lufet ng mga angulo. tapos napaka-informative pa ng narratives. ang galing, para din pa lang Palawan ang Ha Long Bay. ayos din talaga ang four-thirds format ng Olympus noh. ganda nang pag-frame mo ng mga shots.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:26 am
galing ng mga kuha sa mga junks. dami palang bumabyaheng ganyan dyan. astig ang mga kulay ng junks kasi kulay kahoy.
napansin ko nga din sa mga pictures na hindi white sand dyan. astig pa din talaga ng palawan. galing ng sinabi mo tungkol doon sa not so whole hole ferdz.
ganda ng view sa tito p island. buti na lang walang tita m island dyan. hehehe…
July 9th, 2008 at 11:34 am
amazing scenes as always. did you feel na parang may lalabas na dragons at any moment?
July 9th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
What a sight! Ganda ng mga junks…i like the bright colors. Yup mas maraming magagandang beaches dito sa atin heheh. But you did a good job taking these pictures in vietnam. They’re Awesome!
July 9th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
GANDA! ako ang naiisip ko yung Hero movie ni Jet Li, na anytime me lilipad na warrior na magpapatalon talon sa tubig. it deserved the Unesco Heritage site, pero sa pinas pa rin ako hehe.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:10 am
very nice set ferdz… love the 7th and 8th images…
July 10th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Hey Og, thanks, medyo kakaiba pa rin ang Palawan compared dito.
Thanks Photocache. Yup, there’s more to come.
Thanks Rayts! Di rin sila nagkakalayo, mas madami nga lang Karst ang Ha Long Bay pati presence ng mga Junks.
Hey Dom, baka me Tita M di lang namin napansin. Haha. Kaka-aliw talaga ang mga junks na yan.
Hahaha! katuwa sana kung merong dragons. Salamat sa pagbisita ulit Carlotta.
Maraming salamt Millie.
Magandang movie set nga dito Zherwin, but I think China also has something similar to this. You’ll see later
Maraming Salamat Lino.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:46 am
wow, the shots of those islands with the big vietnamese boats is truly spectacular
I love that sunset pic too!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Grabe. Everything is so photographic. I can imagine any photographer having lollipop eyes when they get here. =)
July 11th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Hay! Ferdz. I love it! Hope I can travel and capture images like you do.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Enjoyed looking at those Junks as well BW! Not something you’ll always see in Pinas.
Lots of great angle here Pao! Am sure any photographer would enjoy taking pictures
Thank you Traveler on Foot!
July 15th, 2008 at 2:18 am
yung the gateway.. parang sa neverending story.. ang ganda!
July 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
your photos make me want to go to ha long bay. i even checked handspan’s site and i think they’re offering a great deal!
August 6th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
i like our photos.. makes me want to go to ha long bay! soon..
September 5th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
WOW, Perfect Photo
That is Extremerly Beautiful moment of Halong Bay
Thanks at all