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Here is a little known secret, that will make your trip to Halong Bay. Halong Bay often has Bioluminescence...that's Latin for Living Light! So if you're in Halong Bay when it's active be sure to take a midnight swim. It an awe inspiring experience!
Bioluminescence can only really be seen at night and the darker it is the more magnigificant the glow. Since Halong Bay is so delsolate and the boats turn off their power and lights after about 11 PM you will have total darkness to take a midnight swim!!!! The only light will be the glow of the moon and the stars from above AND the electric blue light generated in the water when it is disturbed (by ME in this case)!!!
If you've ever seen light inside a cresting wave at night...or your steps glowing behind you in the sand...then you've seen this type of Bioluminecence (it's Dinoflagillates...a type of plankton that inhabits the shallow coastal waters). Dinoflagillates glow when disturbed by objects passing through their colonies, and since they are plankton so they are so small you won't feel them as you swim.
Additional Advise:
1) To check to see if the Bioluminescence is active - wait till it is dark and use the end of the ships rope...just toss one end in the water and look for blue sparkels - we didn't see them until the boats turned off their lights
2) The electric blue glow in the water and your cries of joy and excitement (we just couldn't be quiet) may attract attention, so you may want to think twice before skinny dipping! Remember it's a LONG way from the water to the boat.... so you'll be on that ladder a long time on your climb up to the boat (plenty of exposure time)!
3) Bring a waterproof camera for the swim and/or have someone from the boat there to take the pictures....for the best results use a tripod and at a high ASA film
We were having too much fun to think of taking a picture during our swim but I did find an ok picture of the blue glow on the web at http://animals.about.com/library/weekly/year2002/aa062102a.htm
Updated Feb 24, 2010
Address: See my website for more pictures and info on this
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/17ba6/169c3c/
Fountains at the plaza in front of Le Chan are gathering points for locals and tourists alike. The fountains create different patterns with coloured lights shone on them to add on some special effects.
Written Aug 6, 2005
There is a 24 hour flower "market" in front of the statue of Le Chan. Comprising of a few stalls, we mostly saw roses put on sale. Something nice to get for your good friend or loved ones, at a small price.
Written Aug 6, 2005
Locals flock to the beach during summer. Some of the things you can do there
1) Swim and engage in water sports
2) Fly kites
3) Suntan on the deckchairs (payment required)
4) Go to the nearby casino
5) Watch sunset
Written Aug 6, 2005
Cat Ba Islands, you should go on a boat trip.Bring along your camera as it is very scenic, as well as a hat, it was very hot when i went. Also bring your swimming costume, as you may be allowed to jump off the boat/ferry for a swim among the islands. We also visited Halong Bay, complete with caves.
Written Nov 14, 2004
Address: -
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This old pagoda is one of the few sights in Haiphong. Founded 3 centuries ago, the pagoda offers an escape spot from the busy street. No English information is available, only a small introductory sign that reminds us 'not to dress in a sexy fashion'. Photographing inside the pagoda is not allowed, but I was not hanged for snapping a photo in the garden surrounding the pagoda. There is a small pond in the garden, surrounded by Buddha statues, and there are small turtles in the pond. If you are lucky, a lovely old man guarding the pagoda will call the turtles for you with a piece of bread. Inside the pagoda, you will find traditional Vietnamese architecture and sculpture. A nice place to relax for a while.
Written Aug 2, 2004
Address: 121 Pho Chua Hang
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Be sure to spend the night up on the rooftop deck instead of spending a boring night in yet another hotel room. The night air is cool and peaceful.
And since they turn off the electricity on the boat at night it is stifling hot in the rooms! Plus I didn’t see any roaches on the deck! The room well – YIKES!
Be sure to bring a wear long sleeves (mosquitoes), a flashlight (bathroom trips in the dark), and a blanket (it gets cooler as the night goes on…thankfully).
I woke up totally refreshed and energized.
Written Dec 9, 2003
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Make sure you book your trip on a boat that has Kayaks on-board the boat itself. This will give you the opportunity to Kayak through a floating village. Most of the boats do not have them and it was a real highlight of our trip.
Gill and I were also able to kayak while we were there. I talked her into going pretty far out into one of the floating villages but I couldn't talk her into stopping and getting off, despite the calls from several men inviting us in.
Because the mountains are so steep they are inhabitable. The people in the area live in floating villages, living off the sea. They have little floating shacks that they tie up their little boats. You can see them on their little two-person boat at night using a big light to attract the fish to catch. During the day they are home working on their 'fish farms.' They have large grids in front of their houses that from the surface look like large blue oil drums connected with planks. Under the water, there are nets in which they raise fish. Some of them also grow and harvest cultured pearls in this same way. There bright little shacks, with a backdrop of the mountains, left me breathless. Wait till you see the pictures!
Written Dec 9, 2003
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Inside the caves you will find huge halls with many stalactites and stalacmites.
It was recently lighted with the help of the Chinese Government. There are lights of various colors in the main highlights.
The guide will show you different shapes made on the rocks by the water falling drop by drop.
There is a marvellous view of the bay from the exit gate.
Written Oct 20, 2003
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Also called as Hang Dau Go, and "Grotto of Wooden Stakes".
These are the main caves here, and your boat will surely stop here on the first afternoon. The cavesentrance is in the middle of the rock wall, you will disembark at a wooden pier and climb some (usually slippery) stairs up the wall till the entrance.
Once there, the visit lasts about 1 hour.
Written Oct 20, 2003
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Reviews and photos of Haiphong attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Haiphong sightseeing.
Also called as Hang Dau Go, and "Grotto of Wooden Stakes".These are the main caves here, and your boat will surely stop here on the first afternoon. The...
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