Ha Long

:"For other uses, see Ha Long Bay"Infobox Settlement
name =Hạ Long
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pushpin_map_caption =Location of in Vietnam
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|Vietnam
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Quang Ninh Province
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population_as_of =2001
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population_total =185228
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latd=20|latm=57 |lats= |latNS=N
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footnotes = Hạ Long audio|Ha Long.ogg|pronunciation (also known as Hong Gai) is a capital city of Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. The city mainly lies on Bai Tu Long Bay, which is part of the Ha Long Bay. It is located at about 160km northeast of Hanoi. Area: 208.7 sq. km. Population (2001): 185,228 inhabitants.

Halong City consists of 20 wards and communes: Hà Khánh, Hà Lầm, Hà Trung, Hà Phong, Hà Tu, Hồng Hải, Cao Thắng, Cao Xanh, Yết Kiêu, Trần Hưng Ðạo, Bạch Ðằng, Hòn Gai, Bãi Cháy, Hồng Hà, Hà Khẩu, Giếng Ðáy; Communes: Hùng Thắng, Tuần Châu, Việt Hưng, Ðại Yên.

The city's economy has recently switched from coal mining to tourism, due to the large amount of visitors drawn by the famous Ha Long Islets every year. At present, Halong is experiencing rapid growth not only in tourism sphere, but as a place upon the main road to southern China. In 2007 Vietnam-China Business Forum, a $400 million deal was signed to build a highway linking Halong, Mong Cai and Quang Ninh. [cite web | title = Vietnam, China business forum yields $2.5 billion in deals | work = Thanh Nien News | date = 2007-05-18| url = http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/?catid=2&newsid=28213 | accessdate = 2007-05-23]

Halong city is divided into two parts: East Ha Long and West Ha Long. The eastern part ("Hon Gai"), where most of the official buildings and industry are concentrated, is connected by bridge with the western part ("Bai Chay"), considered to be the place of tourism animation.

There are several good quality hotels in Halong city and plenty of budget accommodation, two hospitals and several private medical centers.

In the south of the city there is Bai Tho (‘Poem’) Mountain with its almost vertical seaward face, which was widely used by some famous local poets. The limestone peak is rich in bio-diversity and offers attractive views of the bay. There are also such places of interest as Cua Van Fishing Village, Hoang Gia Park, Ha Long Market, Bai Chay Trading Center, Quang Ninh Museum, Vietnam-Japan Cultural House, Children's Cultural House.

Halong city has an active Roman Catholic Church in its eastern part ("Hon Gai") on the hill near the main post office, which holds the services on Sunday evenings and on Christian holidays.

The biggest hotel in Vietnam is planned to be built on the bay, beginning from 2007.

Etymology

The name Hạ Long is derived from the Sino-Vietnamese , meaning "descending dragon." For more about the origin of this name, see Halong Bay

References

External links

* [http://www.halong.com/halongcom/e_pages/quangninh/hanhchinh/hc_tphalong.htm Halong city page on Quang Ninh province official page]
* [http://www.threeland.com/halong_catba.htm Halong Bay – 2,000 islands in 1,500 square km, the World Heritage]