Ha Long Bay among 25 world’s most beautiful places

By Trang Nguyen
Thu, March 9, 2023 | 5:35 pm GMT+7

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. 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.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Germany’s PNE seeks Vietnam partners for $4.6-bln offshore wind power project

Germany’s PNE seeks Vietnam partners for $4.6-bln offshore wind power project

Germany-based wind energy developer PNE AG is seeking “sustainable partners” in Vietnam to deploy the $4.6 billion Hon Trau offshore wind power project in the central coastal province of Binh Dinh.

Energy - Tue, October 29, 2024 | 6:55 pm GMT+7

E-wallet turned financial assistant MoMo banks on ‘power of small things’: exec

E-wallet turned financial assistant MoMo banks on ‘power of small things’: exec

MoMo e-wallet believes in the power of small things, Vietnamese ingenuity, technological advancement, and positive change, says Nguyen Manh Tuong, co-founder, vice chairman of the board, and CEO of MoMo.

Companies - Tue, October 29, 2024 | 6:29 pm GMT+7

Keppel subsidiary M1 buys 70% stake in Vietnamese IT firm ADG for $29 mln

Keppel subsidiary M1 buys 70% stake in Vietnamese IT firm ADG for $29 mln

M1 Limited (M1), a telecommunications firm under Singaporean conglomerate Keppel, will acquire a 70% stake in Vietnam-based information technology (IT) solutions provider ADG for SGD37.8 million ($28.5 million).

Companies - Tue, October 29, 2024 | 4:27 pm GMT+7

Vietnam’s Masan MEATLife posts $4.14 million in Q3 after-tax profit

Vietnam’s Masan MEATLife posts $4.14 million in Q3 after-tax profit

Masan MEATLife (MML), a subsidiary of Vietnamese consumer retail giant Masan Group, recorded net profit after tax and pre-minority interest (NPAT Pre-MI) of VND105 billion ($4.14 million) in the third quarter of 2024.

Companies - Tue, October 29, 2024 | 3:25 pm GMT+7

Vietnam’s PV Gas, Russia’s Zarubezhneft to further core area cooperation

Vietnam’s PV Gas, Russia’s Zarubezhneft to further core area cooperation

PV Gas, under state-owned Petrovietnam, and Russia’s state-owned Zarubezhneft will further cooperate in oil-gas and energy activities, the former said on Monday.

Energy - Tue, October 29, 2024 | 3:05 pm GMT+7

Vietnam steel major Hoa Phat’s net profit may reach $1 bln with new mill

Vietnam steel major Hoa Phat’s net profit may reach $1 bln with new mill

Hoa Phat Group, which claims to be the biggest steel producer in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, may record a net profit of VND20-25 trillion ($793-991 million) when its new mill in the central region becomes fully operational, according to Vietcombank Securities (VCBS).

Companies - Tue, October 29, 2024 | 2:42 pm GMT+7

IFC plans $200 mln loan to LG Innotek Vietnam

IFC plans $200 mln loan to LG Innotek Vietnam

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, plans to make a sustainability-linked loan (SLL) of up to $200 million to LG Innotek Vietnam Haiphong Co., Ltd.

Finance - Tue, October 29, 2024 | 10:11 am GMT+7

Vietnam banks' earnings outlook ‘relatively positive’: PYN Elite Fund

Vietnam banks' earnings outlook ‘relatively positive’: PYN Elite Fund

The Q3/2024 earnings growth of Vietnam’s listed companies will likely settle around 20-30% and banks’ earnings outlook for the next 12 months is also relatively positive, said the Finland-based PYN Elite Fund.

Finance - Tue, October 29, 2024 | 9:39 am GMT+7

Chinese e-commerce giant Temu's Vietnam entry: unfair competition or market economy norm?

Chinese e-commerce giant Temu's Vietnam entry: unfair competition or market economy norm?

Vietnam's social media is currently inundated with ads from Temu, the e-commerce platform under China’s PDD Holding, showcasing a diverse array of products – from electronic chips to refrigerator mats – at discounts of up to 90%, and raising concerns about its strategy and compliance.

Opinion - Tue, October 29, 2024 | 7:55 am GMT+7

China’s BYD to repair Apple tablets with $375 mln northern Vietnam project

China’s BYD to repair Apple tablets with $375 mln northern Vietnam project

Chinese giant BYD is set to repair Apple tablets at its factory in Vietnam’s northern province of Phu Tho.

Industries - Mon, October 28, 2024 | 10:27 pm GMT+7

Singapore spends $270 mln on AI infrastructure, human resources

Singapore spends $270 mln on AI infrastructure, human resources

Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) will allocate $270 million to the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) in the next three years to train specialists and develop next-gen supercomputers in order to boost AI through supercomputing talent and infrastructure.

Southeast Asia - Mon, October 28, 2024 | 10:21 pm GMT+7

Malaysia to leverage 2025 ASEAN chairmanship to advance regional carbon initiatives

Malaysia to leverage 2025 ASEAN chairmanship to advance regional carbon initiatives

Malaysia’s ASEAN 2025 chairmanship provides the best opportunity to promote carbon trading and carbon credits among its member countries, says Sarawak’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.

Southeast Asia - Mon, October 28, 2024 | 10:20 pm GMT+7

Vietnam, UAE elevate relations to comprehensive partnership

Vietnam, UAE elevate relations to comprehensive partnership

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become Vietnam's first comprehensive partner in the Middle East, underscoring the two nations' commitment and high expectations for a strengthened, practical and effective collaboration.

Politics - Mon, October 28, 2024 | 10:16 pm GMT+7

UAE plans to hold conference to promote investment into Vietnam: minister

UAE plans to hold conference to promote investment into Vietnam: minister

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has plans to organize a large-scale conference in Vietnam to canalize investment from the UAE and elsewhere into the Southeast Asian country, says a minister.

Investing - Mon, October 28, 2024 | 5:41 pm GMT+7

Sustainable packaging key focus area in Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam growth strategy: exec

Sustainable packaging key focus area in Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam growth strategy: exec

Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam is actively promoting various initiatives in sustainable packaging as a key focus area in its development strategy, says Do Thai Vuong, deputy general director in charge of external affairs and communications.

Companies - Mon, October 28, 2024 | 5:02 pm GMT+7

Nuclear power Vietnam’s choice to ensure sufficient energy: country top leader

Nuclear power Vietnam’s choice to ensure sufficient energy: country top leader

Nuclear power is the path for Vietnam to ensure sufficient electricity supply by 2045, Party General Secretary To Lam said Saturday at the ongoing National Assembly session.

Energy - Mon, October 28, 2024 | 4:33 pm GMT+7