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Recently, the American travel website Thrillist selected Lan Ha Bay as the most beautiful destination in Vietnam. After two months of traveling throughout Southeast Asia, a region with more than 40 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The author of the article, Kastalia Medrano, wrote: "The floating village on Cat Ba Island has about 200 houses with a history dating back thousands of years. The bay boasts hundreds of islands, with Cat Ba being the largest. Visitors can rent boats to explore or spend the whole day swimming here. There are more than 100 hotels in the surrounding area for visitors who want to stay longer."
Besides Vietnam's Lan Ha Bay, Medrano also suggests other Southeast Asian destinations such as Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Kuang Si Falls (Laos), Bagan (Myanmar), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Borneo (Malaysia), Gardens by the Bay (Singapore), Banaue rice terraces (Philippines), Kelimutu National Park (Indonesia), Kampong Ayer (Brunei), and Atauro Island (East Timor).
Located east of Cat Ba Island, south of Ha Long Bay, and covering an area of over 7,000 hectares, Lan Ha Bay lies between two of the world's largest nature reserves. Within Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba comprises approximately 376 islands of varying sizes rising from the crystal-clear blue waters, creating a breathtaking landscape reminiscent of a fairy tale.
Every island in Cat Ba is covered in greenery.
Unlike Ha Long Bay, all the islands, large and small, in Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba are covered with greenery or vegetation, even the smallest islands resembling miniature mountains. Another difference from Ha Long Bay is that Cat Ba boasts 139 small, charming, and pristine golden sandy beaches, like inviting "blue coves" beckoning visitors to explore.
Previously, many destinations in Vietnam have also been recognized by foreign magazines. In the list of "10 Underdeveloped Destinations in Asia" published by Canada Travel magazine in April, the Mekong Delta ranked second. The magazine assessed the Mekong Delta as a potential destination with beautiful scenery and many activities to explore, but it is not prominent on the tourism map.
British writer Lauren Feather notes that while foreign tourists often focus most on Ha Long Bay when thinking of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a natural "gem." In Lauren's description, the Mekong Delta boasts beautiful scenery, offering a peaceful and tranquil retreat with many unspoiled countryside areas, far removed from the hustle and bustle. She assesses the area as having significant tourism potential, including Khmer temples, floating markets, mangrove forests, fresh seafood, and distinctive cuisine.
