Hong Kong to Bangkok

A satellite image of the Gulf of Tonkin, on the northern edge of the South China Sea. The Gulf is bordered by China (including Hainan Island) to the north and east and Vietnam to the west and south-west.

Fisherman off the coast of Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin, part of the South China Sea. The Gulf of Tonkin is only 60 metres deep, much shallower than the rest of the South China Sea basin.

One of the thousands of large container ships which pass across the South China Sea every day. Due to the possibility of typhoons, all containers must be securely lashed to the ship.

A US Navy team conducts a Board and Search exercise on a merchant vessel in the South China Sea. Boarding patrols are carried out by all naval forces in the area to deter smuggling and piracy.

1888 - A French map of the area surrounding Bach Long Island, in the Gulf of Tonkin on the coastal border between Vietnam and China.

Cargo and container ships berth off the coast of Singapore as they prepare to leave the South China Sea through the narrow Strait of Malacca.

The view from a bridge of a large container ship as it passes through the Strait of Malacca, at the southern end of the South China Sea.

A coloured bathymetry (sea floor topography) image of the South China Sea. Notice the shallower edges and deeper centre, formed as the basin opened.

This small cargo ship would be dwarfed by the two huge container ships on the horizon: these colossal container ships will sail across the South China Sea and beyond, over thousands of miles.

1906 - A detailed German map of the South China Sea, with inset maps showing areas of difficult navigation. The prevailing winds are also shown the by gold arrows.

A map showing the location of the Malacca Straits, at the southern end of the South China Sea between Cambodia and Sumatra. This is an incredibly busy shipping lane where piracy is common.

A US amphibious ship USS Denver takes part in Exercise Cobra Gold in the South China Sea, aimed at promoting co-operation between US, Thai and Singaporean task forces.

1794 - J. B. B. D'Anville's map of Asia, detailing European knowledge of the South China Sea area and surrounding countries at the time. The Strait of Malacca is marked on this map.

1967 - An American F8 Crusader on an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin prepares to conduct air raids over Northern Vietnam.

A map showing the location of the Gulf of Tonkin in the South China Sea, stretching between Hainan Island and the Vietnamese northern coast and covering an area roughly the size of Cuba.

1967 - The USS Bon Homme Richard, an American aircraft carrier moored in the Gulf of Tonkin and used to conduct retaliatory air strikes by the Americans on the Northern Vietnamese.

1964 - The original Gulf of Tonkin Resolution effectively gave President Johnson the power to go to war with Vietnam without formally requesting further permission from Congress.

Two US Skyhawks, part of the Operation Pierce Arrow air strikes which were undertaken by the US in retaliation against the North Vietnamese during the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

A painting of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, depicting the American destroyer USS Maddox firing upon three North Vietnamese Navy P-4 torpedo boats.

A chart showing the US Navy's interpretation of the location of their ship USS Maddox during the first Gulf of Tonkin Incident, approximately 45 kilometres off the North Vietnamese coast.

The American destroyer USS Maddox, which was at the heart of the Gulf of Tonkin incident. USS Maddox operated across the West Pacific region for much of the Vietnam War.

The flag of the National Front for the Liberation of Southern Vietnam, the opposing force in the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

A portrait of American president Lyndon B. Johnson in naval uniform, just before the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in 1964.

1966 - A US anti-submarine aircraft carrier and destroyer undergo "replenishment at sea" (note the pipes running between the ships) from the USS Cimarron in the Gulf of Tonkin.

1967 - An American fighter pilot inspects the "Sidewinder" missiles on his aircraft as he prepares to take off from a carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin.

1966 - US Air Force jets deployed from a carrier within the Gulf of Tonkin carry out bombing raids over Northern Vietnam.

A detailed view of an limestone island in Ha Long Bay. Note the sharp notch cut by the erosive power of the sea just above the water line - the soft limestone is constantly be shaped by water.

Karst limestone islands within Ha Long Bay, on the coast of Vietnam bordering the Gulf of Tonkin. Over 3,000 limestone islands exist within this small bay.

A fisherman keeps his catch fresh with neatly organised submerged baskets trailing behind his boat. Fishing is an important part in the livelihood of Ha Long Bay's residents.

A cliff-top view of sunset over the tiny islands making up Ha Long Bay. Tens of thousands of tourists travel to the area every year to sail between the islands and explore the caverns beneath them.

Beautiful stalactites and stalagmites line Thiên Cung Cave in Ha Long Bay. Vast caverns exist under many of the 3,000 limestone islands, worn away inside the rock by sea and rain water.

A floating fisherman's village within Ha Long Bay, on the Vietnamese coast. Over 1,600 fisherman and their families make their homes on these floating platforms and pontoons.

Towering limestone pinnacles and towers topped with lush green jungle vegetation in Ha Long Bay. The islands rise suddenly out of the sea to heights of up to 100 metres.

Sunset over a traditional Vietnamese junk in Ha Long Bay. The picturesque scenery of thousands of tiny islands is created by the erosion of soft limestone bedrock across the bay.

The "Kissing Cock" rocks in Ha Long Bay, named for their shape and position. Notice the deep undercutting at the base of the rock due to constant erosion by the sea.

Local residents travel between some of the 3,000 limestone islands of Ha Long Bay using rowing boats. The area is very popular with tourists, but locals still maintain traditional practices.

Fisherman build floating makeshift houses which are moored between the 3,000 limestone islands which dot Ha Long Bay.

Dramatic scenery created by limestone stalactites dripping from the roof of Thiên Cung Cave within Ha Long Bay. These formations are created over tens of years as mineral rich water drips from the roof.

A dramatic sunset over the craggy limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam's most popular tourist attractions which is famous for its natural beauty.