If you talk to the local tour guides, they will tell you there are actually 2 Halong Bays in Vietnam. The real Halong Bay is the one we always see on postcards; wooden junks with a background of karst stones jotting out from the sea.
Now, there’s the other Halong Bay. They call it Halong Bay, on land.
Hoa Lu is in Ninh Binh province. It is the first ancient capital of Vietnam which dates back to 1010. That makes Vietnam 1000 years old next year!
Since Hoa Lu is abou t 100 kilometres away from Hanoi, a 1 day trip there makes perfect sense.
The best way to enjoy the karst stone scenery is not by foot, nor by car. It’s too far to walk and also, you could see nothing from the car really. The best way is to either rent a bicycle or motorcycle and ride along the roads and through the villages.
Hoa Lu - The 'Halong Bay' On Land
Rice Paddies In A Karst Landscape
Landscapes of Hoa Lu
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