Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Phong Nha-Ke Bang Southeast Asia’s heritage wonders

Around two hours to the east of Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, well known for thousands of limestone karst mountains rising out of the water, topped the list drawn up by editors from the British magazine based on their previous travel experiences.

“These limestone karst pillars aren’t unique to Vietnam, but nowhere on Earth is their scale so dramatic,” Wanderlust wrote.

The ideal time to visit Ha Long Bay is between March and April and September to November, as there is little rain.

It recommended tourists book an overnight cruise service or kayak through the ancient caves, famed for its impressive stalagmites and stalactites.

Around 1,000 kilometers from Ha Long, Hoi An ancient town came sixth on the list.

Lying along Thu Bon River, Hoi An is characterized by its unique architectural ensemble that features iconic yellow houses and rich traditional heritage.

Once a convergence point for Chinese traders, it’s not difficult to see ancient temples and assembly halls with a touch of Chinese architecture that worships red-faced General Quan Cong (Guan Yu), an eminent figure in the Three Kingdoms legend and China’s ancient civil war.

Hoi An is famous for its colorful floating lantern festival, which is held on the 14th day of each lunar month when all electric lights of the town are switched off.

A five-hour drive from Hoi An, the UNESCO-recognized Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh was ninth on the list.

Established in 2000, Phong Nha-Ke Bang is frequently referred to as the “Kingdom of Caves” for the magnificent specimens it hosts, including some of the world’s largest.

A part of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park from above. Photo by VnExpress/ Hoang Tao

Wanderlust advise tourists to experience a 400-meter-long zipline ride over the Chay River to the entrance of the Dark Cave or conquer Son Doong, the world’s largest cave where only 1,000 trekkers are allowed a year, to preserve the unique environment.

Other destinations in Southeast Asia on the list were Singapore Botanic Gardens, Gunung Mulu National Park in Malaysia, Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns in Thailand, Komodo National Park in Indonesia and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines.