The sole representative from Vietnam on this list is Ha Long Bay (Ha Long, Quang Ninh) - a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site recognized in 1994 and 2000, alongside globally acclaimed travel destinations such as Sardinia, Italy; Urla, Turkey; Niseko, Japan; Jeju, South Korea; the Nile River, Egypt; Marrakesh, Morocco; Milos, Greece...
In the article, Mr. Zane Bohrer, Vice President and CEO of OvationNetwork, emphasized: "The unprecedented demand for travel we saw last year continued in 2023. Next year, people will be looking for a deeper, more experiential connection with destinations that are off the beaten path".
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| Ha Long Bay is the sole representative of Vietnam in the list of 24 must-visit travel destinations for 2024. Image: Shutterstock. |
Ha Long Bay is one of those exceptional destinations that the author evaluates as a wonderful place capable of meeting the diverse needs of travelers, from exploring nature, learning about history, experiencing cuisine, to adventurous exploration. The author also praises its status as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, highlighting its global premium value in terms of ecology, geological features, and particularly emphasizing that very few places in the world achieve such a perfect combination of natural beauty, outdoor activities, delicious cuisine, tranquility, and easy accessibility. One of the most recommended experiences when visiting Ha Long Bay, according to the author, is to take a boat tour, gently swaying on the water surface to admire the magnificent natural scenery.
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| In addition to exploring nature, visitors can also delve into history through legends such as the "Sung Sot Cave". Image: Shutterstock. |
Apart from summer, autumn is considered one of the most favored times for visitors to Ha Long Bay due to its pleasantly accommodating weather. During the day, the sun shines without being overly hot. In the evening, it becomes refreshingly cool, making it especially suitable for relaxing on the boat deck and savoring seafood cuisine. Swaying on the bay, visitors can also listen to legendary stories about landmarks like Hon Trong Mai, one of the icons of Ha Long Bay, along with Hon Cho, Hon Ga Choi, Hon Con Coc, and more. Each spot has its own historical significance, providing visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the profound serenity of the vast sea, and relish the cool autumn scent amidst the radiant sunset.
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| Admiring the Heritage Bay from the International Passenger Port in Ha Long is one of the fascinating experiences. |
In addition to the usual piers, visitors can explore the Heritage Bay from the International Passenger Port in Ha Long - a terminal with a spacious 4,500-square-meter, three-story building designed by the world-renowned architect Bill Bensley, resembling a vibrant, eye-catching corner of the ancient town of Hoi An beside the resplendent bay.
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| Sun World Ha Long - the favored destination for many tourists in their journey to explore the Heritage Bay. |
After visiting the Heritage Bay, tourists can extend their journey in Ha Long with endless experiences. These include admiring the over 1000-meter-long coastline of the famous Bai Chay beach, exploring the distinctive culture of the mining land at the Quang Ninh Museum, which is a definite must-visit spot in Ha Long. A particularly special experience is taking the cable car across the bay to enter the world of world-class games at the Sun World Ha Long complex. Here, visitors can "adventure" with hundreds of games ranging from the ground to the sky at Dragon Park and Typhoon Water Park, explore the mysterious hill area with Japanese cultural space at the Japanese Garden, Koi Bridge, and the "Sword Forging Village" reenacting Japan's largest sword production center. Visitors can also experience the deeply spiritual traditional Vietnamese meditation space at Bao Hai Linh Thong Tu and admire the magnificent natural scenery of Hon Gai Ha Long, Bai Chay Bridge, and Cai Lan Port from the Sun Wheel.
This is not the first time Ha Long Bay has been proposed as an attractive destination in the world. Most recently, in April 2023, CNN's travel section evaluated Ha Long Bay as one of the 25 most beautiful destinations in the world. Prior to that, also in 2023, the renowned travel magazine Travel+Leisure (Asia edition) voted Ha Long Bay as one of the top destinations for watching the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Asia...