Ha Long Bay among 25 world’s most beautiful places
Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam has been named among 25 world’s most beautiful places by CNN.
"Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular natural attractions in Southeast Asia and one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam," it wrote.
According to the U.S. cable news channel, with 1,969 islets of hulking limestone and deep, green waters that are home to myriad floating villages, this is a place where time slows to a standstill.
"Sail on a junk boat or pick up a kayak, and get lost in the quieter reaches of this vast and fascinating corner of the South China Sea," it suggested.

Ha Long Bay was recognized by UNESCO in 1994 and in 2000 as a world natural heritage. Photo courtesy of the Quang Ninh province portal.
Ha Long Bay was recognized by UNESCO in 1994 and in 2000 as a world natural heritage for the beauty of its landscape and its geological and geomorphological values.
The bay, located in Quang Ninh province, is 165 kilometers from the capital city of Hanoi. Covering an area of 43,400 hectares and including over 1,600 islands and islets, most of the bay is uninhabitated and unaffected by humans, according to the UNESCO.
Other places in the list are: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda), Samburu (Kenya), Mount Toubkal (Morocco), Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (China), El Nido (Philippines), Rotorua (New Zealand), Kata Tjuta (Australia), The Maldives, Petra (Jordan), Atacama Desert (Chile), Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Costa Rica), Ciudad Perdida (Colombia), Dominica, Svalbard (Norway), Lake Bled (Slovenia), Cappadocia (Turkey), Positano (Italy), Lake District (UK), Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia), Vancouver Island (Canada), Denali National Park (Alaska), Horseshoe Bend (Arizona), Badlands (South Dakota) and Monument Valley (Utah).
In February, Ha Long Bay had been named in the list of the world's 40 most colorful places in 2023 by Conde Nast Traveler.
"Board a Chinese junk boat to experience the beauty (and associated myths and stories) of the mist-shrouded basin for yourself," the U.S. travel magazine wrote.
It commented: "Halong Bay, often visited by bikini-clad youth in warmer weather, becomes infinitely more romantic, quiet, and introspective as temperatures drop. And the relative lack of crowds means your photos won’t be interrupted by the heads of other tourists."
In August, the bay ranked fifth among the 10 most beautiful places in the world by The Travel.
"Scattered throughout the bay are more than 1,600 limestone towers and islands covered in tropical trees. Most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by humans. The best way to experience this mist-shrouded landscape is to board a junk boat and sail through the outstanding scenic beauty," the Canadian travel site wrote.
"Visitors can get off to explore various cave formations across the bay, including Thien Cung Cave and Surprise Cave, which give way to impressive sweeping views of the water below," it added.
In 2019, the bay was listed by British travel magazine Rough Guides as one of the 10 best UNESCO sites in Asia.
- Read More
T&T Group, Saigon Co.op partner to expand retail models in Vietnam's urban areas
Vietnam’s conglomerate T&T Group and Ho Chi Minh City-based retail major Saigon Co.op on Saturday signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop diverse retail models within T&T Group’s nationwide urban real estate projects.
Companies - Mon, August 11, 2025 | 10:17 am GMT+7
Investment wave returns, land prices in central Vietnam hub Danang hit new highs
Danang city’s real estate market is seeing a strong comeback from investors in both the north and south of Vietnam, with several areas setting new price benchmarks.
Real Estate - Mon, August 11, 2025 | 8:30 am GMT+7
Consortium proposes $2.48 bln metro line linking HCMC to Long Thanh airport
A consortium led by multi-sector firm DonaCoop and VinaCapital has proposed a VND65 trillion ($2.48 billion) metro line connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Long Thanh International Airport in the neighboring province of Dong Nai.
Infrastructure - Mon, August 11, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Real estate developer Phat Dat’s “geographical edge” from HCMC expansion: From strategic core to new growth driver
The merger of Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau into Ho Chi Minh City is ushering in a new chapter for the southern real estate market, and Phat Dat Real Estate Development Corporation is seen as one of the top beneficiaries poised to capitalize on this timely opportunity.
Real Estate - Sun, August 10, 2025 | 2:02 pm GMT+7
Vietnam’s garment, wooden furniture exports to US likely to slow: official
From now until late 2025, and possibly into the first half of 2026, some Vietnamese exports to the U.S may struggle to sustain the rapid growth seen in the first six months of this year, said Vu Ba Phu, director of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Economy - Sun, August 10, 2025 | 1:27 pm GMT+7
Vietnam port operators dock strong quarter
Many port operators in Vietnam logged strong Q2/2025 net profit, and analysts said that the sector has potential to sail further.
Companies - Sun, August 10, 2025 | 10:21 am GMT+7
Vietnam's Party chief To Lam leaves for state visit to South Korea
Vietnam's Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on Sunday morning for a four-day state visit to South Korea, at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung.
Politics - Sun, August 10, 2025 | 9:15 am GMT+7
Japan’s Sumitomo eyes LNG power plant in central Vietnam
Sumitomo Corporation is exploring the development of an LNG-to-power plant in Vietnam’s central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, part of its push into the country’s new energy sector.
Energy - Sun, August 10, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Brazilian meatpacker JBS to build 2 plants in Vietnam
Brazilian meat giant JBS S.A. will invest in two export-oriented food processing plants in Vietnam following a plan first announced in March.
Investing - Sun, August 10, 2025 | 12:28 am GMT+7
Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index likely to reach 1,800 points next year: broker
Despite potential short-term volatility from increased profit-taking pressure following a high-margin phase in late July, Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index is expected to reach the 1,750-1,800 point range in 2026, according to leading broker Saigon Securities (SSI).
Finance - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 6:22 pm GMT+7
Mobile World to list mobile phone, electronic home appliance chains by 2030
Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG), a leading retailer in Vietnam, plans to conduct an IPO of and list its core retail chains The Gioi Di Dong (mobile phones) and Dien May Xanh (electric and electronic home appliances) by 2030.
Companies - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 6:04 pm GMT+7
Vietnam officially grants visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners
The Vietnamese Government has introduced a limited-term visa waiver scheme for foreign nationals who are "prioritized for the sake of the country’s socio-economic development".
Politics - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 11:32 am GMT+7
VinEnergo launches rooftop solar, battery storage projects in central Vietnam
VinEnergo Energy Joint Stock Company has signed MoUs to install rooftop solar power systems integrated with battery energy storage systems (BESS) with the VinFast automobile plant and two battery factories in the central province of Ha Tinh.
Companies - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:21 am GMT+7
Indonesia doubles lithium imports to boost EV battery production
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realize its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Southeast Asia - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:18 am GMT+7
Optimism rises for Thailand’s economy after US tariff cut
Thailand’s private sector has lifted its 2025 GDP growth forecast to 1.8-2.2%, up from the previous 1.5-2%, following the U.S. decision to reduce import tariffs on Thai goods from 36% to 19%.
Southeast Asia - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:16 am GMT+7
Foreign investors make up 4.27% of Vietnamese G-bonds trading value in July
Foreign investors accounted for 4.27% of the total trading value of Vietnamese government bonds (G-bonds) in July, with net buying at VND298 billion (nearly 11.4 million).
Finance - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:08 am GMT+7
- Opinion
-
Vietnam-US tariff agreement: A strategic turning point toward deeper integration
-
US agreement on 20% tariff for goods imported from Vietnam 'a success': expert
-
52,800 Vietnam businesses temporarily suspend operations in Jan: What do the numbers mean?
-
Startup nation, startup Vietnam
-
New mindset key to resolving institutional bottlenecks, promote growth: economist
-
Vietnam embraces new wave of investments: HSBC exec