According to legend, when the Chinese tried to invade Vietnam, a great dragon ("long") descended from the heavens and into the bay ("ha") to help the Vietnamese people. As the dragon ran into the ocean, its thrashing tail carved out all the islands and rock formations that make up Halong Bay today. The many islands helped the Vietnamese to hide from and sabotage the Chinese.
It is truly a beautiful place. The four of us spent the night on a boat with 14 other people around our age, cruising the islands, eating well, sunbathing, swimming and kayaking.
The jagged peaks that rise out of the water are magnificent. Through the mist, the hills farthest away look like two dimensional ink stains, dripping skyward in an upside down world.
For photos of Halong Bay, go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31967627@N00/sets/72157594299039521/
