Ha Long Bay: New 7 World Wonder

Ha Long Bay is a “New 7 World Wonder” and UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in the Gulf of Tonkin in northern Vietnam. 

The English translation for Vinh Hạ Long is “descending dragon bay.”

You could almost see the body of a dragon descending from the sky and creating the bay as you stare at Ha Long Bay’s 1,600 limestone karsts and islets.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nature sculpted Ha Long Bay. The provincial government nominated Ha Long Bay as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994; it holds the land tenure. Ha Long Bay is a group of offshore islands, some 164 km east of Hanoi, in the Tonkin Gulf. 

“As the most extensive and best known example of marine – invaded tower karst, Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago is one of the world’s mots important areas of fengcong (clusters of conical peaks) and fenglin (isolated tower features) karst.” – UNESCO

My two days in Ha Long Bay were zen like.

Floating in emerald waters. Gazing at limestone cliffs topped by rainforest that magically turn into a teapot or stone dog. Watching junk boats idle in the sea. 

Trip from Hanoi

We drove from Hanoi early in the morning so we could reach our boat for lunch before kayaking in the afternoon. We left the staccato blare of motorbike horns on the highway for the swish of water in the bay.

This region represents the yin and yang for anyone visiting Vietnam—dynamic Hanoi and serene Ha Long Bay. They are not opposite but complementary.

This is part of Vietnam where motorbikes are not allowed. Boats are the only mode of transportation in this vast landscape of towering cliffs, serene waters, and ancient caves. 

I visited in March, so the crowds were not huge. March through May (as well as September through November) are also safer times to cruise if you are worried about the weather. 

When you think of Vietnam, you probably first think of Hanoi, Mekong Delta, Saigon, crazy motorbike drivers, imperial cities, Buddhist temples, and war memorials.

New 7 Wonders of Nature

But Vietnam is a country renowned for its natural beauty as well as culture and history. Indeed, in 2011, New7wonders officially recognized Ha Long Bay as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. 

“The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. 

The evolution of the karst in this bay has taken 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate. 

The geo-diversity of the environment in the area has created biodiversity, including a tropical evergreen biosystem, oceanic and sea shore biosystem. 

Hạ Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species.

Historical research surveys have shown the presence of prehistoric human beings in this area tens of thousands of years ago,” according to New7wonders.

Other New7Wonder Sites

The other six new wonders are Iguazu Falls (Brazil and Argentina), Jeju Island(South Korea), Table Mountain (South Africa), Komodo (Indonesia), Amazon (South America), and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Philippines).

Development Risks

In 2024, Ha Long Bay celebrated its 30th anniversary since being inscribed on the World Heritage list. But this natural wonder is under threat due to multiple development projects. Due to its celebrity status in the UNESCO sphere, Ha Long Bay is a massive tourist destination, drawing millions of visitors every year.

“UNESCO will deploy a team of experts to assess possible risks for the conservation of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam as it is worried about development projects that may threaten the heritage-listed tourist attraction,” according to Reuters.

The bay and the adjoining Cat Ba archipelago of limestone islets are recognized by the agency as “the most extensive and best known example of marine-invaded tower karst.”

Overnight Cruise Options

The best way to experience Ha Long Bay is on an overnight cruise. Book your reservation early as there is limited availability for popular cruises and during peak season (such as Christmas, New Year, and Tet.) You should also read customers’ reviews on TripAdvisor. 

The price is dependent on the quality of the cruise boat and the location of the cabin. For example, Viator was charging as low as $158 per person for a mid-range boat to $375 per person for a 6-star high-end cruise. These prices are calculated based on two people in a cabin.

You can expect to eat lunch, dinner, and breakfast on your overnight cruise. The cabins are typically small on a mid-range cruise. But you will have lots of space on the rooftop. I recommend sitting in a lounge chair and watching the boats pass by while sipping your coffee in the morning. You might even see the guests practicing their yoga!

Bucket List

Visiting Ha Long Bay had been on my bucket list for a long time, after I saw the idyllic photos of the cliffs and islets.

“Ha Long Bay’s mystical beauty has made it a bucket list attraction within the country, but it’s still possible to find secluded corners to call your own.” (Vietnam Travel)

If time permits, consider staying on the cruise ship for two or three nights to explore the area. Among the options: explore a floating village to observe the fishing communities, clamber in a cave, try your hand at rock climbing, book a helicopter to see Ha Long Bay from the sky.

I highly recommend paddling out on a kayak to explore the waters. While I didn’t find this necessarily secluded, it was a great way to ride close to the cliffs.