Ovation Network, headquartered in New York, has taken note of a surge in travel demand expected for 2024. This surge is characterized by a notable preference for immersive, off-the-beaten-path travel experiences, as reported by Forbes.

Kayakers sail past a cruise ship in Ha Long Bay, northern Vietnam.

In their exclusive list shared with Forbes, Ha Long Bay stands out as the sole Vietnamese destination among their top 24 travel picks for 2024.

Ha Long Bay, around a two-hour drive to the east of Hanoi, showcases a multitude of limestone karsts and islets emerging from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.

The best times for a visit is between March and April, as well as from September to November. During these periods, the weather is temperate, rainfall is minimal, and cruise conditions are favorable.

Ha Long Bay was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1994 by UNESCO and voted among the world's seven new natural wonders by Swiss organization New Open World in 2011. It has long been celebrated for its natural beauty and geological formations. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities like kayaking and snorkeling or embarking on a junk boat excursion. These traditional vessels offer an authentic experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the bay's landscapes.

For those discerning travelers who wish to avoid crowds, an alternative worth considering is venturing northwards to Bai Tu Long, a hidden gem that mirrors the splendor of Ha Long Bay but with fewer tourists.

The report by Ovation Network highlights other destinations like Sardinia in Italy, Jeju in South Korea, Goa in India, Oaxaca in Mexico, Milos in Greece, Tallinn in Estonia, and Franschhoek in South Africa, among others.

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.

Ha Long Bay, Cu Chi Tunnels among ten adventurous tourism places in Southeast Asia

The travel magazine The Travel has listed Ha Long Bay in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh and Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City among the ten must-visit epic and adventurous places in Southeast Asia.

Ha Long Bay among top 25 most beautiful places in the world: CNN

CNN has listed UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay among the 25 most gorgeous destinations on Earth, calling it "a place where time slows to a standstill."

Source: VnExpress