In the "The Rough Guides to the 100 Best Places on Earth," the magazine described "the scattering of limestone pinnacles jutting out of the smooth waters of Ha Long Bay", around four hours east of Hanoi, as an "incredible sight."

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam.

It is the only Vietnamese destination in the list, which covers many historical and cultural sites around the world such as the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Forbidden City in China, Kamniške-Savinja Alps in Slovenia, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, and the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue in Mongolia.

Dropping anchor in the bay to explore small islands and caves is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Rough Guides said, adding that "the best junk boats have private cabins and serve gourmet food and in the early morning you can pull back the curtains to watch the sunlight dancing on the emerald green water."

Since its recognition as a UNESCO natural world heritage in 1994 Ha Long Bay has entrenched itself on the global tourism map, receiving rave reviews from travel bloggers and filmmakers. Around 5.2 million foreigners visited the bay last year, up 22 percent from a year earlier. A total of 15.6 million visited the country.

In its latest conservation move, the Ha Long Bay management said all tourism services in the bay would limit the use of plastic bags and straws from September 1. Fifteen local firms providing tourist boats, kayaks and high-speed boats will embark on a pilot program, banning the use of plastic products on sightseeing boats, starting August 1.

Cruise ships are popular in Ha Long Bay.

The recent improvements in infrastructure have made traveling to and around Ha Long much easier for foreigners. Last December Van Don International Airport, 50 kilometers from Ha Long Bay, opened.

An expressway connecting the Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway with Ha Long, opened to traffic last September, reducing the Hanoi-Ha Long commute by 50 km to 130 km.

In addition to the popular kayaking and cruise tours, visitors can book Ha Long Heli Tours, a new helicopter tour, through Fastsky, the country’s first helicopter ride-sharing service offered by ride-hailing firm FastGo.

The South China Morning Post recently named Ha Long Bay in its list of 10 most popular Asian attractions. British magazine Woman and Home last May labeled the bay one of the most mentioned global cruise destinations on Instagram.

Van Don Airport near Ha Long Bay receives first international flight

Van Don International Airport, Vietnam’s first private airport and situated near Ha Long Bay, received its first international flight from China on Monday.

Ha Long Bay gets new helicopter tour

The Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company under the Vietnam Helicopter Corporation has launched its Ha Long Bay scenic tour service - Halong Heli Tours in northeastern Quang Ninh province.

Carnival Ha Long returns in indoor version

Instead of splendid parades on streets like previous years, the Carnival Ha Long 2019 will be held indoor for the first time at the FLC Ha Long Ecotourism Resort in the northern province of Quang Ninh on April 28.

Ha Long-Quang Ninh tourism week to be held late April

The Ha Long-Quang Ninh tourism week is scheduled for late April and early May, entailing various activities held across the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh.

US newspaper names Ha Long Bay among world’s 35 most beautiful natural wonders

US-based newspaper Business Insider has made a list of 35 most beautiful natural wonders around the world, in which Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay claimed a place.

Source: VnExpress