Halong is the capital of Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The name Halong means “descending dragon”. In 1993, the city was founded when the old city Hon Gai was merged with Bai Chay. The city mainly lies on Halong bay. Located in the coastal area, Hạ Long bears unique potentials of tourism and seaport due to its land lies along the shore of Hạ Long Bay by 50 km. Hạ Long is 160 km to the north-east from Ha Noi, 60 km to the east from Hai Phong, 180 km to the south-west from Móng Cái international border gate, and bounded by the Gulf of Tonkin to the south. Hạ Long has the strategic location of economic development in the region and the country also.

Halong bay is well-known for its natural beauty consisted of more than 3000 islands and islets rising from the clear emerald water of the Gulf of Tonkin and covering an area of 1500 square kilometers. Most of islands are uninhabited and untouched by humans. The formation of the seascape of limestone pillars is very spectacular. The outstanding value of this heritage is centered around the soaked limestone karst landforms, displaying the pillars with a variety of coastal erosional features such as arches and caves which form majestic natural scenery.