Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets featuring spectacular limestone pillars rising from the sea, the eroded notches, arches and caves creating a picturesque and beautiful landscape. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. Seven key ecosystem types are found here and the area is home to threatened endemic species such as the Cat Ba Langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus), the Cat Ba Tiger Gecko (Goniurosaurus Catbaensis), and the Asian Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea). The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.
