Halong Bay

Officially recognized as one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 2012, Halong Bay is a must-see on anyone’s itinerary in Vietnam, thanks to its turquoise water and thousands of jagged, limestone islands. A visit to Vietnam wouldn’t be complete without a traditional junk boat cruise around the spectacular bay. Best time to visit: As a year-round destination, visitors will come away with different impressions of the bay, depending on the time of year they were there. In the sun the bay sparkles, with the dark limestone karsts rising up out of the emerald green water in stark contrast. In the winter, the mist can make the bay very atmospheric and eerily quiet. With two distinct seasons, the summer is hot and humid and the winter cool but generally dries.