The origin of the name Ha Long

Ha Long  means" the dragon down". From before the 19th century , the name Ha Long Bay has not been recorded in ancient documents of our country , but these waters are known with the name An Bang , Luc Thuy , Van Don ...

According to ancient legend , the name Ha Long associated with stories of dragons to help the Vietnamese men hit invaders . It is said that :

" In the past , when the new Vietnamese national building , the people live in peace , the foreign invaders are invading our country's borders . Before the strong enemy , it sent Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons to help the Vietnamese fight . When the invaders' boats were rushing attack sea to shore , the dragon immediately above the lower spray of pearls . The pearls she briskly turned into horns numerous islands , linked to such a solid wall . Invaders' boats were rushed immediately stopped suddenly crashed into the rocks , thrust into each other and broke into pieces .

After the victory , that serene scene on earth , lush vegetation , the people here to diligence , hard work and unity to help each other . Mother Dragon and Child Dragons did not return to the sky , but the staying down . It is down to Halong mother dragon , dragon pelvis where the mother dragon is Bai Tu Long . The tail of the dragon turns to white men 's Long Tails (ie nowadays Tra Co peninsula ) . "

At the end of the 19th century , the name Ha Long Bay appear on the maritime map of France . On sheet " Hai Phong News ", published in French reported : " Dragon appears on Ha Long Bay " . The story can be summarized as follows : 1898 Lagoredin lieutenant , captain met a pair of primary Avalang giant sea snake on Ha Long Bay three times . Not only lieutenant that there are many other sailors aboard the witness . The European association , animals like Asian dragons . Is it because the animal had appeared was dubbed Quang Ninh sea dragon that is named Ha Long Bay .

To explore the bay and learn about the origin of its name you can rent a ha long bay cruise and explore it themselves offline.