Vietnam Travel Guide

Vietnam Travel Guide

Vietnam Travel Guide

Ba Ham Lake in Halong Bay

Ba Ham Lake in Halong Bay
Ba Ham Lake in Halong Bay
Ba Ham Lake is found on Dau Be Island (Calf Head Island) on the south-west Side of Halong Bay. This island is part of the range of islands at the farthest end of Halong Bay, bordering the immense zone Long Chau Sea.

Ba Ham Lake of Halong Bay

Ba Ham Lake is situated in the middle of a narrow, rectangular area, with the all four sides enclosed by vertical cliffs. The lake is a system comprising three wide and round pits, linked together by a narrow and meandering tunnel. Although 25km from the shore, it has long been considered an ideal tourism zone.
Ba Ham Lake in Halong
Starting from the entrance, tourists enter the first tunnel, which boasts a forest of stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes and various colors. Stalactites hang from the ceiling in a myriad of strange, colored forms. The deeper one pushes into the tunnel, the darker it becomes. The river is deep and transparent. Some 100m from the entrance one finds a shaft of light coming from the roof of the tunnel, which reveals different kinds of orchids clinging to the cliff, cycads growing here and there, truc duoi ga (a kind of reed with cock's tail-liked yellow leaves) flourishing in clumps.

The second tunnel has the same form and its entrance like the first. In the southeast cliff of the second tunnel there grows an old carambola tree. This is home to yellow hair monkeys, birds, flying squirrels and bats. Lying one cliff away from the second one, the third tunnel is home to various species of bats and yellow butterflies. Here is home to bats and yellow butterflies. Though outside the grotto the waves and wind blow strongly, inside the cave, the water is transparent and calmly. The silence is disturbed only by the sounds of the boat's oars.
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Bo Nau Grotto (Pelican) in Halong Bay

Bo Nau Grotto in Halong Bay
Bo Nau Grotto in Halong Bay
Some 2-3km southeast of Trong Mai Islet lays Bo Nau Grotto or Pelican Grotto. The name Bo Nau or Bo Nong is associated with the fact that pelicans often take shelter here.

 Bo Nau Grotto in Halong Bay

This vaulted grotto covers 200m2 the floor of the grotto is wide and flat, but not deep, and its wall features lots of stalactites and stalagmites.
Bo Nau Grotto in Halong
At the entrance are three stones, looking like three fairies with their heads close to one another. Two men appear to be playing chess, with the third serving as a referee. Turning southward, Bo Nau Grotto enjoys cool wind. Standing there, one can hear the murmur of the sea all year round. Bo Nau Grotto is one of the beauty grottoes in Ha long Bay.
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Kim Quy Grotto (Golden Tortoise) in Halong Bay

Kim Quy Grotto in Halong Bay
Kim Quy Grotto in Halong Bay
This grotto is situated on Dam Nam Island, with a peak 187m above sea level. The grotto is 100m long and 5 to 10m wide, running in a north-south direction.

Kim Quy Grotto of Halong Bay

It is linked to the ancient legend of the Golden Tortoise: after having helped Emperor Le Loi defeat his enemies, the Golden Tortoise took back the magic sword he had given him, and swam towards the sea. Arriving in Ha long Bay, it met with so many evil spirits and demons hindering its journey that it remained to do battle. After having defeated them all, the Golden Tortoise was so exhausted that it searched for a grotto to rest in, and once inside, turned to stone.
Kim Quy Grotto in Halong
A narrow way leads to the interior of the grotto where a stream flows. The stalactites here are snow white and lightly hang from the ceiling. Today in the grotto, it can be found dozing, still with ancient wounds covering its body.
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Tam Cung Grotto in Halong Bay

Tam Cung Grotto in Halong Bay
Tam Cung Grotto in Halong Bay
Situated in the centre of Halong Bay, 5km from Sung Sot Grotto to the northeast. The grotto itself is divided into three parts; after threading the stone cracks, you find the first chamber.

Tam Cung Grotto of Halong Bay

Many beautiful forms can be garnered from the rocky shapes.
Continuing on to the second chamber, the bumpy way leads to a spring with fresh water. The last room contains further incredible stone depictions.

Tam Cung Grotto lies in May Den, a luxuriant island nearly isolated from other islands. May Den’s cliffs are extremely vertical while its forest is flourishing.
Tam Cung Grotto in Halong


Entering its first chamber, one can hear the sound of T’rung or stone musical instrument from near and far. Pushing further inside, tourists meet a “fairy” whose white beard flies in the wind climbing the mountain. High in the wall of the chamber there stand three statues representing prosperity, happiness and longevity, looking down at the earthly world.

From ceiling falls down a stalactite which resembles the bud of a hydrangea among a garden of stone flowers. Going through a narrow passage, one comes to a natural museum of lively animals, including lions, seals, even god of the sea. In the middle of the second chamber lies a stream murmuring all year round, making the two surrounding cliffs rustle. In the last chamber, tourists can find an imposing bas-relief in which are carved elaborate strange images, lying layer after layer in a harmonious layout. One can figure out flowers, bamboos, stone curtains or sleeping elephants.
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Ba Trai Dao Beach (The Three Peaches Beach) in Halong Bay

Ba Trai Dao Beach in Halong Bay
Ba Trai Dao Beach in Halong Bay
To the Ba Trai Dao Beach, it costs 3.5 to 4 hours by cruise from Bai Chay Tourist Wharf. It has that name as Ba Trai Dao Beach (the three peaches), features three small sand beaches embracing small islands. These islands, seen from afar, resemble three peaches...

Ba Trai Dao Beach in Halong Bay

Ba Trai Dao Beach in Halong
Legend has it, that fairies escaped from Heaven and came here for sight-seeing and swimming. The youngest fairy, which was very pretty and virtuous, fell in love with a young fisher- man. The young fairy stole three peaches from Heaven for him that if he ate, would give him eternal life, allowing them to live together forever. But while she waited for him on the island, the King of the Heavens discovered the robbery and turned the peaches into three stone islands. Chastised, the young fairy had to return. Tourists take bath in this beach only 2-3 hours in a day as in other time the beach is lapping by the tide.
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