Capital city: Ha Long (Bai Chay, Hong Guy)
Area (sq km): 5,938
Population: 1,029,900
Average temp: 25°C
Ethnic data: Viet/Kinh, Cao Lan, Dao, Hoa, San Chi,
San Diu, Tay.
Districts/wards: Ba Che, Binh Lieu, Cam Pha, Co To, Dam Ha, Dong Trieu, Hai Ha, Hoanh Bo, Mong Cai, Tien Yen, Uong Bi, Van Don, Yen Hung.

Quang Ninh Map

Description:
Quang Ninh Province is located in the northeastern part of ViêtNam. It shares a northern border with China some 170 kilometres in length. It's southern and eastern perimeters is the coastline of the Gulf of Tonkin and to the west lie Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Hai Phong and Lang Son Provinces.

Economy:
Coal, forestry, marine resources.

Natural beauty sights:
Bo Nau Grotto, Ha Long Bay, Thien Cung Grotto, Tra Co Beach, 'Trinh nu' Burrow.

Halong Bay
The bay is an area of 1,500 square kilometres and is dotted with thousands of islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Bac Bo, part of the Gulf of Tonkin. The United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) has recognized Ha Long Bay as a World Heritage Site.

Historic sights:
Bach Dang Stake-Yard, Quynh Lam Pagoda, Tra Co Church, Yen Tu Vestige Group.

Festivals:
19 Founding Fathers Festival, Bach Dang Festival, Cua Ong Temple Festival, Long Tien Pagoda Festival, Quan Lan Temple Festival, Tra Co Village Festival, Yen Tu Pagoda Festival.

Transport:
Ha Long is 45 kilometres Cam Pha, 55 kilometres from Hai Phong and 160 kilometres from Ha Noi.

Air, rail and road links service Ha Long.

Transport - Air
Describing the Ha Long Airport as an airport is a bit of a stretch. It is best described as a helipad with the Air Northern Service Flight Company (182 Truong Chinh, Ha Noi Tel: +84-(0)-4-563-3110, Fax: +84-(0)-4-563-3111) offers an helicopter flight every Saturday from Ha Noi, departing at 08.00H and returning at 15.00H. The USD$195 fare includes a four-hour boat trip and lunch. Americans love it, but they miss do much!

Transport - Rail
The rail only route from Ha Noi involves transiting through Kep, a rail junction on the Ha Noi/Lang Son rail line.

The more practical route is a train from Ha Noi to Hai Phong then complete the journey to Ha Long Bay by either road and water.

Transport - Bus
Buses depart from Ha Noi's Gia Lam Bus Station destined for Ha Long Bay (Bai Chay Bus Station, near the Bai Chai Post Office).

Minibuses also travel this route with an arrival point at Bai Chay's Mien Tay Bus Station.

Air-con minibuses depart daily from Ha Noi's Kim Ma Bus Station to Bai Chay this journey takes 3 hours and 40 minutes for a very reasonable VNÐ35,000.

Buses from Bai Chay leave daily for destinations as disparate as Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon and Nha Trang.

Water
Daily ferries linking Hai Phong with Ha Long/Hon Gai take three hours and cost USD$ 3.50.

Ferries from Ha Long/Hon Gai connect with Cat Hai Island, 2 hours and USD$ 2.30, and Mong Cai, eight hours and USD$6.

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