Hạ Long City, a jumping-off point for Hạ Long Bay, a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars in VN

Hạ Long, a city on Vietnam’s northern coast, is a jumping-off point for Hạ Long Bay, a broad inlet of dramatic, often mist-covered limestone islands. Also, it is the capital city and first-class provincial city of Quảng Ninh province, Vietnam. It was founded in 1993, when the old capital, Hòn Gai, was merged with Bãi Cháy, the main tourist area. Being a coastal city, Hạ Long bears unique potential for tourism and seaport due to its land lying along the shore of Hạ Long Bay by 50 km. Hạ Long is 160 km to the northeast from Hanoi, 60 km to the east from Haiphong, 180 km to the southwest from Móng Cái international border gate, and bounded by the Gulf of Tonkin to the south. Hạ Long has a strategic location for the economic development and security of the region and the country. The city's population in 2019 was 300,267. Replicas of traditional junk boats tour the bay and depart from the city’s Bai Chay district. Bai Chay also has an artificial beach, a casino, cafes and dozens of hotels from resort-style complexes to hostels. Hạ Long Bay, in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest. Junk boat tours and sea kayak expeditions take visitors past islands named for their shapes, including Stone Dog and Teapot islets. The region is popular for scuba diving, rock climbing and hiking, particularly in mountainous Cát Bà National Park. Area: 1,119 km² Province: Quảng Ninh