The magazine said the bay is beloved for its blue waters and spread of limestone islands, all occupied by tropical trees and wildlife. It suggested visitors board a sailing ship to experience the beauty, and associated myths and stories, of the mist-shrouded emerald basin.

Ha Long Bay at sunset.

The formation of Ha Long Bay dates over 500 million years and the limestone that is found in the bay began forming around 340 million years ago. Over time, the bay has gone through countless changes resulting in its today's magnificent natural landscape.

Its core area, which has been recognized by the UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, is 434 sq.km and comprises 775 limestone islands and islets.

Other destinations on the Condé Nast Traveler's list include the Amazon (South America), Angel Falls (Venezuela), Antarctica, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Japan), Atacama Desert (Chile) and Avenue of the Baobabs (Madagascar).

Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago recognised as first inter-provincial world heritage site

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has added Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago to the World Heritage List, making it Vietnam’s first inter-provincial UNESCO-listed world heritage site.

Vietnam seeks to add neighboring archipelago to UNESCO site Ha Long Bay

Vietnam wants Cat Ba Archipelago off Hai Phong City added to Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh as a single world heritage site.

Ha Long Bay, Hoi An among top travel destinations depicted on banknotes

Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post has named Vietnam's Ha Long Bay and Hoi An town among the world's best tourist destinations appearing on banknotes.

A bird’s eye-view of Ha Long Bay from $85 seaplane tour

Though Ha Long Bay has long been famous for its cruises, a seaplane tour allows foreign tourists to see the UNESCO heritage site from a different angle, at over 300 meters.

Ha Long Bay named among 10 most beautiful destinations in Asia

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located off the coast of Vietnam’s Ha Long city in Quang Ninh province, has been named among the most beautiful destinations in Asia, by Canada-based The Travel magazine.

Source: VnExpress