Ha Long Bay among top 25 most beautiful places in the world: CNN
CNN, the U.S. cable news network, has listed Ha Long Bay as one of the 25 most beautiful places around the world.
Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular natural attractions in Southeast Asia and one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. With 1,969 islets of hulking limestone and deep, green waters that are home to myriad floating villages, this is a place where time slows to a standstill, it said.
CNN advised tourists to sail on a junk boat or pick up a kayak, and get lost in the quieter reaches of this vast and fascinating corner of the Southern Sea.
Earlier, Ha Long Bay was selected by American magazine Travel+Leisure as among Asia's most stunning places to watch sunrise and sunset.
The best way to explore the world heritage bay is a two-night cruise through thousands of small vegetation-covered islands and towering limestone cliffs.
An overnight cruise service is available with prices ranging from $116-$228 per person, which enables visitors to admire the beauty of the bay when the sun rises and sets every day.
The ideal time to visit Ha Long Bay is between March and April and September to November, as there is little rain.
Each cruise has its own itinerary, but most take visitors to popular tourist attractions such as Ga Choi and Dinh Huong Islets, Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung and Me Cung Caves, Titop Island and Viet Hai fishing village.
