Halong's enduring popularity has rightfully brough the bay the status of one of the major draws in Southeast Asia. In 1994, UNESCO recognised Halong Bay as the world's heritage site and in 2011 it was voted one of the world’s new seven natural wonders by Swiss organization New Open World.
The emerald green waters of the bay are dotted with 1,969 limestone islets soaring dramatically over the sea and colourful boats whisking tourists to the most popular attractions, beaches, caves and hiking trails. While the place is heavily touristy, even the crowds cannot steal the beauty from one of the most fascinating corners of the South China Sea.
Halong is easily reached from Hanoi via a public bus, a shared van, an organized tour or by train. With a new international airport, Van Don, opened the last days of December last year, international travel to Halong became easier, too.
Other CNN's picks of the most beautiful places on our planet located in Asia include China's first UNESCO World Heritage site, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province; and El Nido, a tropical paradise at the northerly tip of the Philippine island of Palawan.
Three of Asian Attractions Among CNN's Picks of World's Most Beautiful Places
News in Asia
The famous Ha Long Bay, located in Vietnam's northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh, made it to CNN's top-25 most beautiful places on the planet.