US magazine praises Ha Long Bay as ‘a tourism mecca in Asia’

The marvelous Ha Long Bay in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, Vietnam is among “The Most Surprisingly Stunning Seaside Spots in Asia to Watch Both Sunrise and Sunset”, according to www.travelandleisureasia.com.

The magnificent sunset on Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province, some 150km away from Hanoi Centre. Photo: Thuy Edna

"The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, with more than 2,000 limestone islands, is Asia's tourism mecca, and deservedly so," is how Neil Armstrong, editor of the prestigious travel magazine, described the Southeast Asian country's "Natural Wonder of the World".

According to him, the best way to avoid the bustle of the tourist attraction is to dodge the day trips and do a two-night cruise.

“This will allow you to take in clusters of islands too far for day-trippers or overnighters to get to, and allow you to surrender to the rhythms of the sea and the sun,” he suggested. 

“Once afloat you can watch both sunrise and sunset from the deck- its ascent over the Gulf of Tonkin and denouement behind the slew of islands, bays, and iconic limestone outcrops,” he added.

Travel + Leisure also advises travelers to wait until ‘the blue hour’ - the twilight time between dusk and darkness when Ha Long Bay is at its most beautiful. 

The sunrise on the bay is also marvelous. Photo: Thuy Edna

Earlier, Canada-based travel magazine The Travel also suggested Ha Long Bay as one of the most incredible tourist attractions that people should visit once in a lifetime.

The bay features so many awe-inspiring natural wonders, from towering waterfalls to unique rock formations that may take the ‘Mother of Nature’ thousands of years to create them.

The natural wonder of the world covers an area of 1,553 km2, with some 2,000 islets, most of which are limestone forged over 500 million years in different conditions and environments.

Aside from immersing oneself in the vivid sunsets and sunrises on cruises that cruise the bay, the most exciting activities appreciated by local and foreign travelers are kayaking, cruising, cave exploring, and rock climbing.

Other three places Travel Leisure recommends for sunset and sunrise watching in Asia are Romblon Island in the Philippines, Kuakata Beach in Bangladesh, and Kenting National Park in Taiwan (China).