Ha Long Bay - Vietnam’s premier travel destination

For more than three decades, Ha Long Bay has stood side by side with Quang Ninh’s tourism industry, firmly establishing its global reputation. Today, the bay is not only an icon of natural heritage conservation but also a symbol of how environmental preservation can go hand-in-hand with sustainable local development. In order to maintain Ha Long Bay’s pristine beauty and allure in the hearts of visitors, Quang Ninh continues to elevate its brand on the international stage.

A world-class brand

Ha Long Bay frequently tops international travel searches for Vietnam. Many major tourism platforms rank it among the must-visit destinations in the country. According to Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, the bay’s high profile is backed by its impressive list of accolades: three UNESCO World Heritage inscriptions, selection as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature (beating over 200 global landmarks), and consistent recognition as one of the world’s most beautiful bays. In 2018, it was named Vietnam’s top travel destination and one of the four best places in the world to watch the sunrise and sunset.

Most recently, in 2024, Ha Long Bay ranked third in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards - Best of the Best Destinations. It has also served as the dramatic backdrop for major international films such as Kong: Skull Island, The Creator, and Indochine.

Often likened to a breathtaking watercolor painting, Ha Long Bay is a natural masterpiece of thousands of limestone islands rising from emerald waters, enriched by an extraordinary network of mystical caves. Over millennia, tropical tides have sculpted a unique seascape still partially submerged today. Natural wonders like Thien Cung Cave (resembling a crystal palace), Dau Go Cave (majestic and ancient), and Sung Sot Cave (stunningly grand) continue to awe visitors.

Ha Long Bay is also a cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilizations, home to the Soi Nhu, Cai Beo, and Ha Long cultures dating back 18,000 to 3,000 years. It preserves significant tangible and intangible cultural values through sites such as Tien Ong, Me Cung, and Thien Long. With nearly 3,000 marine species, it is a biodiversity hotspot representative of tropical coastal ecosystems.

An everlasting tourist magnet

Ha Long Bay’s fairy-tale beauty is one of Quang Ninh’s most powerful draws for both domestic and international tourists. According to the Management Board, visitor numbers grow steadily each year, accounting for approximately 20% of all tourists to the province. Many return multiple times to experience new offerings and enjoy overnight stays among the spectacular seascape.

Tourism services in the bay have expanded dramatically, with diverse tours, accommodations, and local cultural products enriching the visitor experience and enhancing regional connectivity.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong emphasized that Ha Long Bay’s UNESCO status affirms not only the natural splendor of Quang Ninh but also its cultural and ecological richness. This recognition creates significant economic opportunities, with tourism revenues contributing strongly to the provincial budget, stimulating cross-sector development, job creation, and improved living standards.

Pride of the nation, bridge to the world

Today, Ha Long Bay is a globally recognized symbol of Vietnamese tourism and a point of pride for Quang Ninh residents. It serves as a cornerstone in the province’s strategy to build tourism into a leading economic pillar while fostering international relations and cultural exchange.

Recognized for its outstanding universal value and prestigious titles, Ha Long Bay is regarded as a strategic asset in Quang Ninh’s socio-economic development, particularly within the province’s vision of sustainable, inclusive, and green growth.

Under Quang Ninh’s provincial plan for 2021–2030 with a vision toward 2050, Ha Long Bay’s conservation and sustainable development are identified as central objectives—integral to maximizing tourism’s economic potential while ensuring responsible resource use and heritage preservation.

Safeguarding a global treasure

Since its initial UNESCO inscription more than 30 years ago, Ha Long Bay has evolved significantly. Its core values remain intact, while its management and protection mechanisms have been continuously improved. Major milestones include banning fishing in strictly protected zones, halting cargo loading in the bay, relocating polluting facilities, and establishing nature reserves and scenic protection forests to safeguard the ecosystem.

Infrastructure improvements have also kept pace. The province has invested in international-standard passenger ports, new road networks, and iconic public spaces such as the Planning Exhibition Center, the Quang Ninh Museum, and the provincial library, creating a more sustainable, welcoming environment for visitors.

Speaking during the 30th anniversary of Ha Long Bay’s UNESCO recognition, Ambassador and Chair of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Vishal V. Sharma, praised Vietnam’s unwavering efforts. He called Ha Long Bay a symbol of harmony between humans and nature, and a global example of how conservation and development can coexist. Its story, he said, offers inspiration to other World Heritage sites facing similar challenges.

A vision for the future

Building on its legacy, Quang Ninh continues to refine its heritage management systems and implement sustainable tourism strategies. The province is developing high-quality tourism products rooted in selective and inclusive economic development while deepening collaboration with Vietnam’s other six UNESCO World Heritage sites to form a unified national tourism circuit.

In a recent cultural highlight, the world-famous string quartet Bond released the music video “Victory - Bond in Vietnam” filmed at Ha Long Bay. With stunning footage of dawn-lit seas, fishing villages, and landmarks like Trong Mai Islet, Oan Beach, and Mat Rong Island, the video has captivated global audiences and further elevated Ha Long Bay’s international profile.

With its majestic natural scenery and rich marine ecosystems, Ha Long Bay is more than a natural wonder, it is an ideal destination for those seeking harmony with nature, cultural discovery, and soul-soothing serenity.