Ha Long Bay, Sa Pa named in list of natural wonders in Southeast Asia
Vietnam has seven tourist attractions named among 25 natural wonders in Southeast Asia voted by Fodor’s Travel - a trusted resource offering expert travel advice for every stage of a traveler’s trip for nearly eight decades.
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has seven tourist attractions named among 25natural wonders in Southeast Asia voted by Fodor’s Travel - a trusted resourceoffering expert travel advice for every stage of a traveler’s trip for nearlyeight decades.
In its article titled“25 Natural Wonders in Southeast Asia You Have to Experience to Believe”,Fodor’s Travel said that Ha Long Bay in the northern coastal province of QuangNinh was named one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCONatural World Heritage Site, with around 2,000 islets sprawling across anindescribable landscape of almost 600 square miles.
The bay’s floatingmountains and emerald-green waters are said to have inspired the animatedlandscapes of Avatar, and have been used as the set for films like Kong: SkullIsland and Pan, it said.
Another wonder in thelist is Sa Pa, home to the highest mountain in Vietnam (Fansipan). The websitesaid with its adventurous trekking and natural landscapes, Sa Pa in thenorthern mountainous province of Lao Cai is the ideal vacation destination forthose looking to break a sweat while also enjoying the unique flora and animalsnative to the region.
The website alsoaffirmed Phong Nha Cave in the central province of Quang Binh is a must-see fortravelers, as it is home to an expansive underground lake, as well as one ofthe largest underground rivers in the world.
Also named in thislist, the province’s Son Doong Cave was described as the largest cave in theworld, which was carved by underwater springs over three million years ago.
Other Vietnamesetourist attractions in the list are the Sand Dunes of Mui Ne in the centralprovince of Binh Thuan, Thac Bac (Silver) Falls in Lao Cai, and Ba Vi NationalPark in Hanoi.
Attractivedestinations in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia like Thi Lo Su Waterfall, DoiInthanon National Park, Tham Khong Lor Cave, and Tonle Sap Lake are also namedin the list by Fodor’s Travel.-VNA
The Hue ancient capital city in the central province of ThuaThien-Hue served more than 67,870 tourists, including 48,180 foreigners during Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday from February 2-8, up 177 percent year on year.
Located inside the Trang An Landscape Complex, a world heritage site, Tam Coc-Bich Dong is home to one of the most scenic rice fields in Vietnam, with a romantic waterway and karst mountains.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Sa Pa in Lao Cai province (Source: VNA) 
