Quang Ninh (VNA) –Bai Tu Long Bay in the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh is describedas a secret heaven as it is less known than its sister Ha Long Bay, which iscompared a glamorous beauty queen surrounded by flowers.

Identically to Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay owns the same legend. Once upon atime, in order to protect the ancient Vietnam’s border from invaders, God sentmother dragon and child dragons down to help Vietnamese people fight the enemy.When the enemy’s boats approached the shore, the dragons sprayed countlesspearls which then turned into thousands of limestone islands and became a solidwall that blocked invaders’ way.

After the victory, sincehaving fallen in love with spectacular landscapes and hospitable Vietnamesepeople, the dragons decided to stay here. The location where mother dragonlanded is Ha Long Bay and where child dragons launched is Bai Tu Long Bay. Thedragons’ tails hitting the water to create white foam layers become white sandbeaches around Bai Tu Long Bay.

The original and charming Bai Tu Long Bay comprises many islands, either earthor limestone, scattered across three communes, Ha Long, Van Yen and Minh Chauof Van Don district.     
       
The bay covers a total area of15,783 hectares, including 6,125 hectares of high islands, which is home to 1,909species of fauna and flora, forming a priceless treasure of the nation.   

According to AssociateProfessor Dr. Bui Tat Thang from the Strategic Development Institute of theMinistry of Planning and Investment, Bai Tu Long includes all three fundamentalecosystems: forest, wetlands and sea – a diverse area for different species tolive and develop.   

In the Bai Tu Long National Park,there are 102 rare and precious species, including 72 species of fauna and 30 varietiesof flora listed in Vietnam’s red book of endangered species.

Typical flora species include Chittagong wood, Aglaia, Tembusuand Ardisia sylvestris Pitard. Typical fauna species include Pale-capped Pigeon,Rhesus monkey, Asiatic golden cat, Sambar deer, Otter, Three-striped Box Turtle,Gecko, Water monitor, Burmese python, Cobra and King Cobra.

Oceanic species include Chinesewhite dolphin, False killer whale, Otter shell, Pearl Oyster, Abalone, Oliveridley sea turtle and hawksbill sea turtle.

Bai Tu Long National Park hasbeen officially operating since April 2002. Besides the extremely diversebiological environment, the park also has archeological values found in Soi Nhucave, where there was evidence of ancient Viet people residing here 14,000years ago.   

The park has 1,000 hectares ofwetlands, including mangrove forest, sandy and rocky tidal banks and sea-grassthat provide food, a breeding ground and habitat for animals, including migratingbirds and insect varieties.   

The wetlands ecosystem, withits impressive scenery and biodiversity, has attracted many eco-tourism,environmental education and research activities.    

Some notable pool areas include Cai Quyt, Lo Ho, Soi Nhu, O Lon,Cai De and Cai Lim. The sea-grass covers 10 hectares of mud and sand floor areassuch as Chuong Di, MangRiver, Lo Ho pool, Cai Depool and Tra Than pool. Sandy and rocky tidal banks are home to sea creatureslike mollusc,making Van Don an attractive destination to taste local specialties.

The areas of coral account foronly a minor section of the park, mostly found around the fringes of islands,but play an important role to aquatic resources. The areas provide a place for manykinds of sea creatures to lay eggs, shelter and hunt. It has high biologicalproductivity, generating organic substance and an important food source, but isalso a gene bank for many types of sea species. Bai Tu Long National Park needsto have sustainable protection, conservation and development.-VNA