US-based magazine names Ha Long Bay among world's 50 most beautiful wonders

Ha Long Bay is famous for its natural beauty

The natural beauty of the Ha Long Bay, which is also a UNESCO Heritage Site, makes it one of Viet Nam's number one tourist sites.

The best way to see Ha Long's awe-inspiring limestone towers is by boat. In fact many tourists have chosen to stay overnight on a boat in the bay.

The name “Hạ Long”, literally translated, means "descending dragon". According to ancient mythology, the Vietnamese people are said to have descended from dragons themselves – with this in mind, the legend of Ha Long Bay promises to be a fascinating one indeed.

The Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest./.

By Huong Giang