The prestigious international travel magazine Travel+Leisure has recently ranked Ha Long Bay (located in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam) as one of the 55 most beautiful places in the world to admire.
The magazine explains that while people travel for many reasons, a significant number seek inspiring moments and unique sights that captivate and compel them to stop and appreciate the world’s beauty. From crystal-clear lakes and white sandy beaches to majestic mountains and historic ruins, these awe-inspiring landscapes attract visitors for unforgettable experiences.
In its list of 55 top destinations, Travel+Leisure highlights national parks, mountains, beaches, deserts, and other natural wonders, aiming to inspire travel enthusiasts to discover breathtaking spots for their future adventures.
With its iconic limestone formations draped in verdant greenery and its sparkling turquoise waters, Ha Long Bay is described as a photographer’s and traveler’s dream by Travel+Leisure. Visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site can relax on pristine beaches, swim in cool waters, or embark on luxurious cruises to explore the stunning seascape. Activities such as kayaking through mysterious caves offer a closer look at the bay’s natural marvels.
Ha Long Bay has long been regarded as a top tourist destination in Vietnam, celebrated for its harmonious and awe-inspiring natural beauty. Its grandeur has earned it UNESCO recognition as a World Natural Heritage site.
Additionally, Ha Long Bay frequently features in global rankings by numerous travel magazines, websites, and organisations.
In January 2024, Ha Long Bay was awarded the Best of the Best by TripAdvisor in its 2024 Travellers’ Choice Awards, ranking third among the world’s seven trending destinations.
In 2023, American magazine Insider listed Ha Long Bay among the 50 most beautiful natural wonders in the world.
In December 2023, US-based travel platform The Travel ranked Ha Long Bay fourth in its list of the 10 most-visited natural wonders globally, citing its 2.6 million annual visitors.
In October 2023, Forbes included Ha Long Bay in its top 24 destinations for 2024, praising it as “one of the most unique ecosystems and geological formations in the world,” combining natural beauty, outdoor activities, fresh cuisine, tranquility, and easy accessibility.
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Cruise ships on Ha Long Bay (Photo: Minh Duc/VNA) |
According to Vietnamese legend, in ancient times, the Vietnamese faced constant invasions from foreign forces. To help them defend their land, the Jade Emperor sent a Mother Dragon and her offspring to Earth.
As enemy ships advanced, the dragons descended, spitting fire to destroy the invaders’ fleet and releasing pearls that formed towering stone walls to halt the ships. Once peace was restored, the dragons chose to remain, enchanted by the area’s beauty and the people’s resilience. The place where the Mother Dragon landed became known as Ha Long (Descending Dragon), while her offspring settled in Bai Tu Long, and their tails created Bach Long Vi (White Dragon Tail).
Today, the story of these mythical dragons lives on in the thousands of limestone islands and karsts that dot the bay, forming an invaluable heritage for humanity.
Spanning 434 square kilometers, the central heritage area of Ha Long Bay forms a triangle with three points: Dau Go Island (west), Ba Ham Lake (south), and Cong Tay Island (east). This core area contains 775 islands, each with its own unique features, including stunning caves and secluded beaches.
From above, Ha Long Bay resembles a colossal ink-wash painting, with hundreds of limestone islands rising from shimmering waters. Some islands cluster together like stacks, while others stand scattered, creating a breathtaking labyrinth that stretches for kilometers.
Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave is filled with awe-inspiring stalactites shaped like chickens, frogs, dragons, and waterfalls while Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace) Cave is known for its enchanting stalactite formations.
Dau Go (Wooden Stakes) Cave is a kaleidoscope of colorful stalactites. Bo Nau (Pelican) Cave has its arching entrance featuring stalactites that hang like willow branches.
Ha Long Bay has been recognised as a World Heritage Site twice (in 1994 and 2000) and was voted one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 2012.
It is a treasure trove of aesthetic, geological, and ecological value, boasting unique limestone formations formed over millions of years. Its diverse ecosystems—including mangrove forests, coral reefs, and seagrass beds—make it a vital natural resource that must be preserved to maintain ecological balance.
Ha Long Bay is also home to a wealth of biodiversity, supporting Over 500 plant species, many with medicinal properties; 66 amphibian and reptile species, 77 bird species, and 22 mammal species. It also boasts more than 570 marine species, 180 types of coral, and nearly 150 species of seaweed.
With its unparalleled combination of natural beauty, geological significance, biological diversity, and rich cultural history, Ha Long Bay remains one of the world’s most captivating destinations.
