Northern Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed Halong Bay, one of the most beautiful places in the world (Photo: Wanderlust) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, Hoi An,and Phong Nha-Ke Bang have been named among the 16 most favourite UNESCOworld heritage wonders in Southeast Asia by leading UK-based travelmagazine Wanderlust.
UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, one ofthe most beautiful places in the world, was ranked first in the list.
It was recognised by UNESCO in 1994 and again in2000 as a world natural heritage for the beauty of its landscape and itsgeological and geomorphological values.
The bay, located in northern Quang Ninh province, is 165kilometers from the capital city of Hanoi. It covers an area of 43,400 hectaresand including over 1,600 islands and islets, and most of the bay is uninhabitatedand unaffected by humans, according to UNESCO.
"Lying prostrate aboard an old wooden junker,peering out across the emerald waters as jungle-covered precipices rear out ofnowhere isn’t the only way to experience Cat Ba Island’s Halong Bay – itremains among the best, though," Wanderlust wrote.
The magazine commented: "These limestone karstpillars aren’t unique to Vietnam, but nowhere on Earth is their scale sodramatic, sprouting some 1,600 spines from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin,birthing towering islands and islets out of bounds to all but the nativeseabirds that have made them home.
"The site was first inscribed by UNESCO in 1994. Twenty-somethingyears later, little has changed except how to see them and the increasingnumbers of those who have. The slow-screw of erosion has notched hidden cavesand dramatic arches into many of its rises.
"Kayak out for a more intimate look at the likesof Thien Cung, famed for its impressive stalagmites and stalactites; or driftpast oysters farms and floating villages – ramshackle constructions linked bytrembling walkways – to seek out secret beaches away from the boat-goinghordes," it added.
The ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam (Photo: Wanderlust) The ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam is placedsixth on the list.
"Far removed from the fogs of exhaust thatenvelop many a visit to Southeast Asia, UNESCO-listed Hoi An is a quiet,sculpted riposte to the pace of modern Vietnamese life," Wanderlust described.
"It wasn’t always the case, though. The city wasonce a thriving port town and home to merchants from across Asia until the ThuBon River silted up some 200 years ago and the traders moved onelsewhere."
According to the magazine, reminders of Hoi An’s multi-culturalpast abound in its French-style buildings, Chinese Quarter and daintyJapanese-style covered bridge. The Chinese influence is particularly visible inthe city’s assembly halls, each built according to the home province of itssettlers.
"Traffic is banned from the centre, affording thechance to gaze undisturbed at the faded pastel facades, collonaded balconies,cafés, markets, tailors and boutiques that cluster the Old Town. All is peace,but for the ringing of temple bells and the clatter of visitors’ feet. It’shardly a hidden escape, but it’s no wonder it's adored by so many," itsaid.
It suggested: "Walking along this picturesque townis like literally stepping back in time. The city is one big playground forInstagram savvies as its colorful structures, and charming architecture offerendless snap opportunities. One of the top attractions is the Japanese Bridge,and museums await history buffs."
"Tourists can also rent bikes to get the most outof Hoi An, a place straight out of a picture book," it added.
Thien Duong cave (Photo: Wanderlust) Meanwhile, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binhprovince, central Vietnam, was inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List in2003. It features great geological diversity and offers spectacular phenomenawhile harboring a high level of biodiversity and many endemic species.
Phong Nha is home to Son Doong, thebiggest natural cave on the planet, as well as the third largest Hang En.The Blue Diamond camping site is near the historical Khe Gat field militaryairport.
"Despite boasting 885 sq.km of untamed evergreenjungle and some of the oldest karst peaks in Asia, neither is surprisingly themain draw at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. That privilege goes to thestunning caves and underground rivers that vein the land beneath," Wanderlust said.
The magazine wrote that the park was recognised byUNESCO long before Son Doong Cave, a 5 km-long cavern so big one could fit askyscraper inside, was named the world’s largest cave. That was opened tovisitors in 2013, although guided trips into its gaping limestone maw are stillin their infancy. More caves are being found all the time, with the glisteningunderground stalagmite field of newly discovered Hang Va becoming the latest toreceive tours./.
