The image of Ha Long Bay is one that imprints in the memory of all those who visit. The towering karsts with their wild patches of vegetation seem almost as if they have landed in the calm blue waters from another land. The otherworldly beauty is one that will fill you with awe for the work of nature.

The three bays of Ha Long, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long stretch along the North-Eastern coast of Vietnam, and manage to cram some of the most magnificent scenery in the world into a relatively small space.

The thousands of islands and islets here range from thin tall columns rising vertically out of the water to the larger inhabited islands like Cat Ba, each with its unique charm. The islands are commonly named for scenes or objects they resemble, famous examples of this being Elephant Island, Stone Dog Islet and Teapot Islet.

While the turquoise waters are stunning, they are matched in intensity by the sky. Watching the sun rise from behind the karst formations as it casts a golden glow across the water is a truly magical experience.

Depending on the season the sky ranges from a vivid blue to an atmospheric misty grey during the day. Sunset is then equally beautiful as the sunrise, with the sky set ablaze with colour ranging from dusty pink to dark indigo.

Much of the beauty in Ha Long is buried deep beneath the earth. In addition to carving the maze of limestone peaks, the erosion caused by the sea has left many incredible caves and grottoes. The soaring cliff faces open up into caverns chock-full of amazing rock formations. Some caves, such as Sung Sot or Tien Cung can be explored on foot, while others, such as Luon can only be accessed by kayak.

Once you arrive, you will immediately appreciate why the area is under the protection of its UNESCO World Heritage Site classification, as the natural beauty found here can be matched by few places in the world.