Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Phong Nha-Ke Bang have been named on a list of the 16 most favourite UNESCO world heritage wonders in Southeast Asia by leading UK-based travel magazine Wanderlust.
Packed with wild parks, natural wonders, and ancient temples, it's amazing that Southeast Asia has 41 UNESCO world heritage sites, it wrote.
Ha Long Bay
Northern Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed Halong Bay, one of the most beautiful places in the world, was ranked first on the list.
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 UNESCO.
"Lying prostrate aboard an old wooden junker, peering out across the emerald waters as jungle-covered precipices rear out of nowhere isn’t the only way to experience Cat Ba Island’s Halong Bay – it remains among the best, though," Wanderlust wrote.
The magazine commented: "These limestone karst pillars aren’t unique to Vietnam, but nowhere on Earth is their scale so dramatic, sprouting some 1,600 spines from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, birthing towering islands and islets out of bounds to all but the native seabirds that have made them home.
The site was first inscribed by UNESCO in 1994. Twenty-something years later, little has changed except how to see them and the increasing numbers of those who have. The slow-screw of erosion has notched hidden caves and dramatic arches into many of its rises."
"Kayak out for a more intimate look at the likes of Thien Cung, famed for its impressive stalagmites and stalactites; or drift past oysters farms and floating villages – ramshackle constructions linked by trembling walkways – to seek out secret beaches away from the boat-going hordes," it added.
In early March, the bay was named among the 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.
In February, the bay was named on a list of the world's 40 most colorful places in 2023 by Conde Nast Traveler.
Hoi An
The ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam placed sixth on the list.
Flights connect Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Danang (both one and a half hours). From there, Hoi An is a 45-minute taxi ride away.
"Far removed from the fogs of exhaust that envelop many a visit to Southeast Asia, UNESCO-listed Hoi An is a quiet, sculpted riposte to the pace of modern Vietnamese life," Wanderlust described.
"It wasn’t always the case, though. The city was once a thriving port town and home to merchants from across Asia until the Thu Bon River silted up some 200 years ago and the traders moved on elsewhere," it added.
According to the magazine, reminders of Hoi An’s multi-cultural past abound in its French-style buildings, Chinese Quarter and dainty Japanese-style covered bridge. The Chinese influence is particularly visible in the city’s assembly halls, each built according to the home province of its settlers.
"Traffic is banned from the centre, affording the chance to gaze undisturbed at the faded pastel facades, collonaded balconies, cafés, markets, tailors and boutiques that cluster the Old Town. All is peace, but for the ringing of temple bells and the clatter of visitors’ feet. It’s hardly a hidden escape, but it’s no wonder it's adored by so many," it said.
In March, Hoi An was named one of the 10 most scenic towns in Vietnam by Canadian travel site The Travel.
"The ancient town of Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s World Heritage Sites, praised by UNESCO for being an “exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port," The Travel wrote.
It suggested "Walking along this picturesque town is like literally stepping back in time. The city is one big playground for Instagram savvies as its colorful structures, and charming architecture offer endless snap opportunities. One of the top attractions is the Japanese Bridge, and museums await history buffs."
"Tourists can also rent bikes to get the most out of Hoi An, a place straight out of a picture book," it added.
In January, Hoi An ranked second on TripAdvisor's list of the world's 25 most trending destinations in 2023.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province, central Vietnam was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2003. It features great geological diversity and offers spectacular phenomena while harboring a high level of biodiversity and many endemic species.
Phong Nha is home to Son Doong, the biggest natural cave on the planet, as well as the third largest Hang En. The Blue Diamond camping site is near the historical Khe Gat field military airport, now part of the Ho Chi Minh trail.
Flights connect Hanoi (one hour, 15 minutes) and Ho Chi Minh (one and a half hours) to Dong Hoi. From there, buses go to Son Trach ward (one and a half hours), Bo Trach district - home to Phong Nha.
"Despite boasting 885 sq km of untamed evergreen jungle and some of the oldest karst peaks in Asia, neither is surprisingly the main draw at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. That privilege goes to the stunning caves and underground rivers that vein the land beneath," Wanderlust said.
The magazine wrote that the park was recognised by UNESCO long before Son Doong Cave, a 5 km-long cavern so big you could fit a skyscraper inside, was named the world’s largest cave. That was opened to visitors in 2013, although guided trips into its gaping limestone maw are still in their infancy. More caves are being found all the time, with the glistening underground stalagmite field of newly discovered Hang Va becoming the latest to receive tours.
In mid-Feb, the national park was named among the eight most thrilling zip line destinations in Asia with "the natural wonder and zip line combination" by the South China Morning Post.
"Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is renowned for its unique geological formations, diverse array of wildlife and Son Doong, the largest cave in the world," the Hong Kong-based daily wrote.
"But for adrenaline junkies, Hang Toi, aka Dark Cave, is the hole to head for. At 400 metres, Vietnam’s longest zip line transports visitors above the turquoise Chay River to the entrance of the cave," it added.
The other UNESCO world heritage wonders on the list in order are: Singapore Botanic Gardens (Singapore), Luang Prabang (Laos), Gunung Mulu National Park, Borneo (Malaysia), Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (Thailand), Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia), Komodo National Park (Indonesia), Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Palawan (Philippines), Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (Philippines), Kinabalu National Park, Borneo (Malaysia), Tropical rainforest heritage of Sumatra (Indonesia), Angkor archaeological park (Cambodia), Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuaries (Thailand), and Borobudur temple compounds (Indonesia).