Hauntingly beautiful Halong Bay, 170 km. from Hanoi, is famous for its fascinating limestone Karst scenery with around 3,000 islands rising from the clear emerald water of the Bac Bo Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) "Halong" in Vietnamese means "the dragon descending to the sea" and is the highlight of any Vietnam trip. Take a boat trip and explore the grottoes, caves and tiny islands. For an up close and personal view, try kayaking - an excellent way to view the natural surroundings without disturbing the environment.