Thousands of years ago, stunning limestone mountains emerged from Ha Long Bay's beautiful emerald waters—or did they? Legend has it that when Vietnam was under attack by invaders in ships, the gods (or the Emperor) sent dragons to help. These dragons dropped jewels into the ocean, which transformed into the Ha Long Bay islands, creating a barrier that protected Vietnam from invaders.

The name ‘Ha Long Bay’ means ‘The bay where dragons landed.’ According to the legend, the dragons decided to remain on Earth and still reside underwater in Ha Long Bay. Whether or not the legend is true, the bay is home to thousands of different plant and marine species, making it a rich and diverse ecosystem.