Hue is a city which is filled mostly by trees, so the weather here is very cool, fresh and quiet. However, the city is not less busy and crowded than others. Each year, the city celebrates the fantastic festival to introduce the Vietnamese traditional food, flowers, trees, kite flying and Vietnamese traditional costumes. Throughout the city, the ancient tombs, temples and gardens of age with a few hundred years old are still preserved.
Hue has several tourist attractions which are very peaceful and ancient. Among these is Hue Citadel which was recognized is World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Hue Citadel is one of the place where attract the most tourists every year. Besides, there are many ancient pagodas, temples... that is also known by many tourist tourists around the world.
In summary, Hue is a city that has something to offer everyone. And here is certainly worth visiting and surely that Hue is one of the most ideal place to spend a holiday.
I’m writing from the most beautiful and incredible place in the world that I have ever seen during my 15-year career as a travel writer in more than 70 countries. I’m writing to you from Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.
There is a saying that if you have not visited Ha Long Bay you have not yet been to Vietnam. I say that if you have not visited Ha Long Bay you have not yet seen the most beautiful place in the world.
180 km from Hanoi City, towards the northeast, it takes around 4 hours by bus due to the speed limit, and then you will arrive to Ha Long City and the wonderful Ha Long Bay.
1969 limestone islands of various shapes, sizes, and in different green and amazing colors rise above the sea level in an area of more than 1,500 square kilometers that creates this World Heritage site. Ha Long Bay still retains its historical and culture values.
The guide told me that Ha Long Bay has been twice recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1994 and 2000, and also that Ha Long Bay is in second place in the worldwide competition of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders. I told him that before all, God has given the Vietnamese people this wonder for their kindness.
Ha Long Bay is as attractive and beautiful throughout the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Traveling on small sailboats among hundreds of limestone islands, one may visit the amazing Surprise Cave, the floating fishing village, and see how the locals live are top of the list of things to do here. On Titop Island, one may swim and relax on the beach or enjoy a kayaking program to the nearby Luon Cave and much more.
And what about the important question of where to sleep? Syrena Cruises and other cruises are offering wonderful programs. A luxury cruise from the harbor and across Ha Long Bay, has 34 luxury cabins and suites each with a balcony, as well as restaurants and a meeting room on the 3rd deck. Travelers may experience Asian or Western cuisine, precisely sea food, and also have a session with a massage therapist, unwind in the sauna, take a sunbath and relax on the expansive deck, experience squid fishing, movie night, and a cooking demonstration.
Other attractions during your stay in Ha Long, beside exploring Ha Long Bay itself, if to visit the Royal Park in Halong City, Water Music, a circus performance by dolphins, sea lions, crocodiles, and much more.
The experience of visiting Ha Long Bay is unforgettable, where you will see something that will stay in your mind and eyes for years. You will enjoy meeting Vietnamese people and tasting their delicious food, you will have fresh air all day and night, especially if you wake up early in the morning and watch the sun rise on the deck coming slowly through the islands.
Be sure not to miss visiting Ha Long Bay in your lifetime. Just try to watch images and videos of this stunning and marvelous place and imagine being there experiencing the beauty and kindness of Vietnamese people. You will be booking your trip in no time.
Being one of the most prominent tourism destinations of Vietnam, Halong Bay fascinates visitors because of not only its heavenly natural beauty, but also its value in geology, history and archeology. Let’s join us on the trip to discover this uniquely treasurable water area.
Halong Bay - a historically long-standing wonder
Being one of the most prominent tourism destinations of Vietnam, Halong Bay fascinates visitors because of not only its heavenly natural beauty, but also its value in geology, history and archeology. Let’s join us on the trip to discover this uniquely treasurable water area.
Halong Bay in ancient time
The beauty of Ha Long Bay is a perfect combination of emerald water with mysterious caves and grottoes; however, not many of us know about Halong Bay as a cradle of prehistoric people who initially contributed to create Halong Bay’s culture nowadays.
In 1937, Anderson - a Swedish archaeologist, together with two French sisters, journeyed for months through the sea of Halong Bay. After days of climbing mountains, exploring caves and coastline, they had found many stone artifacts; including axes, grinding tables, sewing needles, and even jewelry! The culture that created these remnants had been called “Ngoc Vung Culture”, which is believed to exist at the end of the New Stone Age. Later, more archeological sites such as Dong Mang, Xich Tho, or Soi Nhu, which might be hundreds of square kilometers, were also discovered as a result of excavations.
Throughout its development, Halong Bay played an important role in being a center of cultural and commercial exchanges among ancient Vietnam and China, Japan, Thailand, since Halong lied on the main route connecting these countries. Van Don Port, which was established in the period of Ly Dynasty (1149), was also the site that witnessed the glorious victory of the war against the invasion of Yuan-Mongols aggressors. 500 years ago, in his verse “Lo Nhap Van Don”, Nguyen Trai praised the beauty of Halong Bay as “rock wonder in the sky”.
Halong Bay and the French
In 1883, Quang Ninh province was under the occupation of the French Colonies. It was at that time that French geologists and archeologists started to realize the gorgeous beauty and historical value of Ha Long Bay. There are many famous islets which were named by the French, such as Sung Sot Cave- “la grotte des Surprise”. The French discovered this place in 1901, and gave it that name in 1938.
Though the name Ha Long had been long called by local people, it was not until the end of nineteenth century did the official name “Ha Long” first appeared in the French’s marine maps. In the newspaper of “Hai Phong News” published in French, there was an article about a mysterious creature that looked like dragon in the area of Ha Long Bay, which was seen three times in 1898, 1900, 1902 by captain Legderin and other sailors of Avalence ship.
Ha Long - a World Heritage Site
In 1962, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam listed Hạ Long Bay in the National Relics and Landscapes publication, a “'Renowned National Landscape Monument”. Halong Bay was first listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, in recognition of its exclusively universal aesthetic value. In 2000, Halong Bay’s World Heritage Listing was updated when the World Heritage Committee additionally recognized Halong Bay for its outstanding geological and geomorphological value.
In 2009, Halong Bay was nominated as one of the World’s 7 Natural Wonders by the New 7 Wonders Foundation, which runs the “New Seven Wonders of the World” program. In 2011, this program continues and after a large-scale voting campaign holding all over the country; on 11th, November, 2011; Halong Bay has officially become one of the new seven natural wonders of the world.
