Ha Long Bay (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Ha Long Bay in the northern coastal provinceof Quang Ninh has been named amongst the 50 most beautiful natural wonders onEarth selected by US-based magazine Insider.
An article published on the magazine on July 2 informed thatthe bay’s natural beauty makes it one of Vietnam's number one tourist sites,adding that it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“The best way to see Ha Long's awe-inspiring limestonetowers is by boat. In fact, many tourists stay overnight on a boat in the bay,”the article said.
Other destinations on the list include Caño Cristales Riverin Colombia, Tianzi mountains in China, Antelope Canyon in the US, Badab-e Surtin Iran, and Socotra Island in Yemen.
Ha Long Bay literally “descending dragon bay”, was twicerecognised as a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994 and 2000.
The bay spans 1,553 square kilometres and includes 1,969islands of various sizes. It features thousands of limestone karsts and isletsin various shapes and sizes. The limestone in the bay has gone through 500million years of formation in different conditions and environments.
The geo-diversity of the environment has created biodiversity,including a tropical evergreen biosystem, oceanic and sea biosystem.
In 2018, Ha Long Bay made it into the top 15 Instagrammedglobal cruise destinations based on a survey of 1.8 million posts tagged onvarious ships and ports by travel cruise site SeaHub.
Quang Ninh is endowed with natural advantages for sea and island tourism. It has a coastline of more than 250 kilometres and more than 2,000 islands and islets which account for two-thirds of the total number in Vietnam.
Besides Ha Long Bay, Co To island is another attraction in the northeastern province. The island district comprises Co To Lon (large Co To island), Co To Be (small Co To island) and 15 smaller islands.
In addition to enchanting beaches, the island has natural forests, lighthouses, parks, wharves, fishing villages, bays and a rock garden.
Located in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quan Lan Island in Van Don district has become an ideal destination in summer holidays thanks to its pristine beauty, clear blue seawater and fine white sand bank stretching along the green rows of casuarinas.
Located in Bai Tu Long Bay, Ba Mun island is a gem home to diverse species of animals and plants of Bai Tu Long National Park.
In recent years, the island has attracted a large number of tourists to experience some wild travel./.
