Quang Ninh province
Vietnam's northernmost coastal province, Quang Ninh runs all the way to the Chinese frontier and border crossing at Mong Cai. Inland the province is bordered by Long Son and Bac Giang to the west and Hai Duong and Hai Phong to the south.
If you're in Quang Ninh and not heading to the Chinese border crossing at Mong Cai, then you're almost definetly heading to the magnificent, breathtaking Ha Long Bay.
The coastline of Quang Ninh has to be one of the most spectacular in the world, with thousands of limestone massifs breaking through the oceans's surface and soaring into the sky. For many a highlight of their visit to Vietnam, slowing cruising through this magnificent maze-like bay, soaking up its seductive atmosphere is a truly enchanting, mystical experience.
While the vast majority of travellers visit Ha Long Bay on an organised tour from Hanoi, it is possible to see the bay using the provincial capital, Ha Long City as a base. Actually made up of the twin towns of Bai Chay and Hong Gai, Ha Long City is a bustling little tourist town with a near endless supply of junks ferrying tourists out into the bay on everything from day trips to week-long extravaganzas. A tourist attraction in its own right -- absolutely not -- but if you're going to Ha Long Bay you'll be passing through here.
As magnificent an experience as the Bay is, picking the right tour can be somewhat of a challenge and you'd be well advised to read our five-part series on picking the right tour to Ha Long Bay before making your choice.
