Halong is a beautiful, natural wonder in northern Vietnam, where approximately a three-hour drive east of Hanoi . The Bay is dotted with over 1,600 limestone islands and islets, and covers an area of over 1,500 square kilometers. Being a coastal city, it has unique potential for tourism, and as a seaport, due to the fact it lies along the extensive, 50 km shore, and is just 160 km to the north-east of Hanoi. The city is divided into two parts: Bai Chay is the tourist area with plenty of hotels and restaurants, and Hon Gai is the local area with businesses and markets. The two parts are connected by the enormous Bai Chay Bridge, and this entire, extraordinary area was a UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1994.