HaLong Bay - Value of Geology

The most remarkable geological events of Ha Long Bay’s history in the last 1,000 years include the advance of the segeologya, the raising of the bay area and the strong erosion that has formed coral and pure blue and heavily salted water. This process of erosion by seawater has deeply engraved the stone, contributing to its fantastic beauty. Present-day Hạ Long Bay is the result of this long process of geological evolution that has been influenced by so many factors. Some of the most remarkable are: the formation of the limestone layer more than 1,000 m thick during the Carboniferous and Permian periods (240 to 340 million years ago); and the development of the Hạ Long depression during the Neogene period (10 to 26 million years ago). The erosion process forming the limestone plain was most active in the Quaternary Pleistocene epoch (11,000 to 2 million years ago). It is because of all these factors that tourists now visiting Hạ Long Bay are not only treated to one of the true wonders of the world, but also to a precious geological museum that has been naturally preserved in the open air for the last 300 million years.

At the beginning of the Cambrian era (500 to 570 million years ago), the area, which now forms Hạ Long Bay, was basically mainland, submitted to a process of rain erosion. At the end of the period, it was flooded, commencing the existence of Hạ Long Bay. During the Odovic and Silurian periods (400 to 500 million years ago), the area of north-east Vietnam was basically a deep sea, submitted to the constant activity of tectonic plates. At the end of the Silurian period, it underwent a phase of inverse-motion that created mountains deep under the water. From the end of this period and throughout the whole Devonian period (340 to 420 million years ago), the area was subjected to powerful forces of erosion from the hot and dry climate. At this point, Hạ Long was part of a wide mainland that comprised most of today’s East Sea and Chinese continental shelf. Due to tectonic activity, the Hạ Long area and the entire north-east region were raised from the depths at the end of the Devonian period. In the later Carboniferous and Permian periods (240 to 340 million years ago), a shallow and warm sea reformed, which existed for approximately 100 million years. ha Long geologyIt created two kinds of limestone: the Cát Bà layer of the early Carboniferous period (450 m thick); and the Quang Hanh layer of the middle Carboniferous and the early Permian period (750 m thick). These two layers constitute the majority of the islands of the Bay.

Passing into the early periods of the Contemporary era (67 million years ago), Hạ Long Bay existed in the environment of a high mountainous mainland due to the influence of strong mountain-forming phases. The middle of the Paleocene period saw these motions remain continuous and stable, while strong processes of erosion began, and after millions of years, a form of semi-highland topography took shape. The continuation of this erosion has progressively cut the highlands into blocks with altitudes similarrr to today’s mountains.
Into to the Quaternary era, the process of erosion began dissolving the limestone-rich region of Hạ Long. The islands of today’s Hạ Long Bay are basically remnants of these mountains flooded during the early Holocene period. Rainwater flowed into crevices in the limestone that had formed from tectonic activity. This steady erosion constantly widened the cracks, eventually creating today’s formations. The middle and late Pleistocene epoch (11,000 to 70,000 years ago) marks the period when the famous caves and grottoes of the area formed.

The Holocene period (from 7,000 to 11,000 years ago) is notable for the advance of the sea. This movement reached its peak 4,000 to 7,000 years ago and forming today’s Hạ Long Bay. After that, 3,000 to 4,000 years ago, with the sea in a steady process of recession, Hạ Long culture began to develop. At the beginning of the late Holocene epoch, the level of the water once again increased, forming a marshy floor of canals and streams, and creating the water marks that can be seen on the stone cliffs of today.

Cat Ba island

Cat Ba is an island of approximately 140 km2 in Ha Long Bay, Northern Vietnam. It is commonly used as an overnight hotel stop on tours to Ha Long Bay run by travel agents from Hanoi.

Cat Ba is the largest island in the Bay and approximately half of its area is covered by a National Park, which is home to the highly endangered Cat Ba Langur. This golden-headed langur is rarely seen, as fewer than 100 specimens are thought to survive in the wild, although it is the subject of a well-organised conservation programme. The Park covers both land and marine areas and has a high biodiversity, although it is at risk from too rapid an increase in tourism. Other mammals in the Park include civet cats and oriental giant squirrels.

Many tour operators include an option of trekking in the National Park or canoeing on three-day tours; shorter tours generally only stay overnight in the small town of Cat Ba (population about 8,000) or on boats moored in Cai Beo bay, about 2 km away from Cat Ba town. Cat Ba itself is attractively situated around a bay teeming with small boats, many of which belong to pearl or shrimp farmers, and can become very busy at weekends and during public holidays. The promenade has illuminations and a large fountain which only plays after dark; it is backed by a strip of cheap hotels and bars, but dominated by the wooded limestone hills behind. The island is a national park of Vietnam and was recognized by UNESCO in December 2004 as a Biosphere reserve of the world.

Bai Chay beach - interesting spot to explore.

Vietnam is an ideal tourist destination. The natural beauty of this country is sure to leave you spell bound. The diverse landscape of this country ranges form majestic mountains to sandy beaches, from tropical forest to plain land. Bai Chay Beach, Vietnam is one of the famous attractions of the country.

Bai Chay is a large, beautiful, artificial beach, closed to the coast of Ha Long Bay. The 100-meter-wide-sandy beach spans over 500 m. Early in the morning or in late afternoon, thousands of people liven up the atmosphere here.The dark sand is unique to this beach. During summer the climate is quite pleasant. The temperature remains around 70 deg F. The warm water, the gentle breeze, the sunny days make the soft beaches ideal for relaxing.

There are many legends associated with the name Bai Cháy. According to one legend, when the fleet carrying food for the Yuan-Mongolian invaders led by Truong Van Ho came there, the Vietnamese troops and locals under the leadership of Tran Khánh Duset fire to it. The whole fleet was engulfed in fire. Meanwhile, the northeast wind blew hard and further added fuel to it. Fire was so fierce it burned down the forest in the western side of Cua Luc. Hence the name Bai Cháy.

Another legend has it that the western side of Cua Luc used to be a wharf for seagoing boats. Acorn-barnacles firmly attached to these boats’ sides and underneath, and might wreck the boats. The local population had to use casuarinas leaves to burn acorn-barnacles. From Hon Gai and other neighboring places, people always see a blaze from there, so they called it Bai Cháy.

The limestone formations are wonderful in a word. These formations date back thousand of years. Because of the shape and the positioning many of the formations look like people, animal etc. They are known by many names such as Con Voi, Qua Chuong, Hang Sung Sot, Hang Bo Nau etc. You are sure to get awestruck by the surreal beauty of Bai Chay Beach of Vietnam.

The asphalt road winds its way through the white sandy beach and luxuriant casuarinas. The Hoàng Gia Tourism Company has invested in diverse services for tourists. The Bai Cháy tourist site is fast changing into one of the most captivating of this kind in Ha Long City. It comprises restaurants, water puppet and traditional music theatres, Hoàng Gia Park, water-skiing, and sea motorcycling. The Hoàng Gia Park lines along the Ha Long road leading from the Bai Cháy Tourist Wharf to the gate of the Ha Long Night Market.

Tuan Chau Island

Tuan Chau Island is well known for its entertainment and recreation activities. From the main road just before you reach Halong city, you will see a modern archway which serves as the main entrance to Tuan Chau Island. The drive in will take about 5 minutes over a man-made reclaimed road. A huge modern entertainment complex which can seat up to 2,000 people holds dolphin and seal shows, a high tech water fountain with music, laser lighting and film showing on the water screen and an interesting crocodile show. There is parking available while taxis are seen outside the entrance of the island.

A newly built jetty that offers cruises to Halong Bay is lined with a 4km man-made beach occupied with local cafes and restaurants, a large building with ferry and cruise counters, a modern karaoke club and disco making this island a destination for locals and also foreign travelers. There is also a luxury Halong Bay Cruise company operating from here and prices are around US$200 and above per person.

There are a number of two to three star resorts available here which one of them is the Holiday Villa Tuan Chau The resort has breathtaking views of Halong Bay. However, Tuan Chau Island is quite a distance to Halong City and you may need a taxi or bus to get there.

The island is known to be owned by a wealthy Vietnamese family according to staff and workers on the island. It was designed to be the premier location for exclusive living with high end bungalows and world class resorts. The Miss Universe 2008 and Miss Vietnam 2010 Beauty Pageant was also held here on Tuan Chau Island.