Halong Bay/Hanoi (Cai Lan), Vietnam
The deepwater port of Cai Lan is your gateway to the splendors of North Vietnam. Nearby Halong Bay is one of the world's extraordinary scenic wonders. This World Heritage Site boasts a calm bay studded with over 3,000 dramatic limestone islands, islets and rock formations. Visitors to Cai Lan can also venture up the Red River to fabled Hanoi, the "Pearl of the North." Today, with memories of the Vietnam War fading, the city impresses with its splendid colonial architecture, ancient temples, superb parks and myriad lakes. It's little wonder that Northern Vietnam remains one of Asia's most popular vacation destinations.
The limestone islands in Halong Bay are riddled with caves. The French who once ruled Vietnam called Go Dao Cave the Grotte de Merveilles, the grotto of marvels. Of course, they left their graffiti among the astounding assortment of stalactites and stalagmites.
Points of Interest
- Halong Bay
- Luon & Sung SOT Caves
- Old Hanoi
- Yen Tu Monastery
- Ba Dinh Square
- Ho Chi Minh Cottage
- Temple of Literature
- One Pillar Pagoda
More about Halong Bay/Hanoi (Cai Lan), Vietnam Points of Interest
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Halong Bay -
This dramatic seascape dominated by more than 1,600 limestone karsts and islets as well as numerous caves and grottoes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A junk cruise brings it to life.
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Luon & Sung SOT Caves -
Thien Cung Grotto and Dau Go Cave are among the most-visited natural attractions in magnificent Halong Bay. Boat tours reveal an amazing underground world of shimmering stalactites and stalagmites.
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Old Hanoi -
A maze of 13th century streets, Old Hanoi sits between Red River and Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling center hosts the city's largest market, the Hanoi Citadel, Bach Ma Temple, and French mansard houses.
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Yen Tu Monastery -
Yen Tu is the Buddhist capital of Vietnam and the site of the biggest Zen monastery in Vietnam. The serene winged-roof temple complex crowns an amazingly beautiful landscape and historic village.
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Ba Dinh Square -
This massive square, the site of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, played an important role in Vietnamese history. It is here that the communist leader declared the independence of Vietnam on Sept. 2, 1945.
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Ho Chi Minh Cottage -
This charming stilt cottage on a carp pond is based on traditional Vietnamese houses. According to legend, Ho Chi Minh lived here from 1958 until his death in 1969. It is open to the public.
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Temple of Literature -
This Confucian temple hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university. Built in 1070, it is a complex of pavilions and halls that is featured on the back of a 100,000 đồng banknote.
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One Pillar Pagoda -
The iconic One Pillar Pagoda, an historic Buddhist temple in Hanoi, is built of wood on a single stone pillar. It is designed to resemble a lotus blossom which is a Buddhist symbol of purity.