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Some 80km South of Hanoi, Van Long Lagoon is considered a legendary land with the largest wetland nature reserve in the North. From a dyke, visitors can see Van Long Lagoon surrounded by imposing limestone mountains which look like islands and covered by clouds, immense, and calm water.
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Van Long lagoon was formed from the embankment of a dyke to the left of the Day River in an attempt to prevent flooding. This immense wetland with beautiful stones and caves has become a tourist destination for nature explorers and rivers and mountains-lovers.
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Many have asked why the lagoon is called inland Ha Long Bay of Ninh Binh province. To find the answer, the best way is paddling on the lagoon to feel the calmness and tranquility of the surface of water which looks like a giant mirror. That mirror reflects limestone mountains of different shapes called Meo (cat), Mam Xoi (tray of glutinous rice), and Co Tien (fairy). Clear water in Van Long Lagoon reveals layers of seaweed below, making the natural scenery here more impressive.
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Sitting on a boat, tourists can watch towering rocky mountains and different species of grass growing and spreading across the immense water.
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This famous wetland nature reserve on the tourism map of Ninh Binh is also home to various landscapes and cultural relics. The Lagoon has set two Vietnam’s records: containing the most Delacour's langurs and presenting the biggest natural picture.

Van Long reserve has more than 30 beautiful and primeval caves, including Ca (Fish), Bong (Shadow), and Rua (Tortoise) caves. Inside these caves the specially-shaped stalactites are attractive to any nature lovers. Van Long Lagoon also houses dozens of Delacour's langurs, a rare endemic species listed in the Red Books of Vietnam and the world that needs to be protected.
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Rays of sunlight fall on the lagoon in late afternoon. From the peak of the Ba Chon, the highest mountain in Van Long reserve, tourists can admire the panorama of the vast nature reserve with overlapping limestone mountains, lush green rice fields, and wetlands. There you can have opportunities to watch drifting clouds, hear birds rustling leaves, and langurs teasing each other. All make tourists feel like being immersed in nature.

The best time to visit Van Long Lagoon is in the afternoon when birds flock to stir the lagoon. During this wonderful time, tourists can see each flock of white langurs hunting for food on the edge of water.

Around the Van Long reserve are villages typical of the Northern Delta. Visiting the site, tourists can sit on wagons or cycle to explore villages and enjoy the tranquility and idyllicity there.

Source: vnexpress

Translated by Mai Huong