The ocean karst landscapes of Halong, the Bay of Descending Dragons, have been capturing imaginations for centuries, and continues to do so today as one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations. A sparkling bay dotted with thousands of sheer, jaggedly sculpted limestone karst towers and islets, legend tells that the bay was created by dragons, a story that certainly suits its mystical aura.

There is no better way to explore this picturesque panorama than by drifting tranquilly through the formations on a Halong Bay Cruise, taking in tableaus of junk boats and grey rock crowned with green foliage, exploring caves, islands and floating villages as you go.