Recently, Forbes magazine - America's leading business magazine - printed an article listing the 24 most wonderful tourism destinations in the world in 2024 from OviationNetwork, the world's leading network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential tourism, with over 20,000 expert advisors. Since 2020, OviationNetwork has shared an annual list exclusively on Forbes.

The only representative of Vietnam on this list is Ha Long Bay (Ha Long, Quang Ninh), a World Natural Heritage recognized by UNESCO twice in 1994 and 2000, in addition to other "illustrious" names in global tourism such as Sardinia, Italy; Urla, Turkey; Niseko, Japan; Jeju, South Korea; Nile River, Egypt; Marrakesh, Morocco; Milos, Greece, etc.

In the article, Mr. Zane Bohrer - Vice President and General Director of OvationNetwork, emphasized: "Following 2022, we saw unprecedentedly high tourism demand this year. We predict that by 2024, travellers around the world will be seeking deeper connections and having exceptional experiences at destinations."

Ha Long Bay is the only representative of Vietnam in the list of 24 must-try tourism destinations in 2024. Photo: Shutterstock

Ha Long Bay is one of the destinations considered by the author of the article to be a wonderful place that can meet most of the needs of tourists, from exploring nature, learning about history and experiencing cuisine to adventurous exploration. The author also praised the World Natural Heritage for possessing exceptional global value in terms of ecosystems as well as geological and geomorphological values, especially emphasizing that very few places in the world offer the perfect combination of natural beauty, outdoor activities, fresh food, tranquillity and such easy access. One of the most recommended experiences when visiting Ha Long Bay, according to the author, is to take a boat tour, gently swaying on the water surface to admire the breath-taking natural scenery.

In addition to exploring nature, tourists can also delve into history through legends such as Trong Mai Islet. Image: Shutterstock

Besides summer, autumn is considered one of the most popular times when tourists come to Ha Long Bay due to its pleasantly accommodating weather. During the day, the sun shines without being overly hot. The evenings are quite cool, making it especially suitable for relaxing on the deck and enjoying coastal cuisine. Swaying on the bay, tourists can also hear legendary stories such as about Trong Mai Islet - one of the symbols of Ha Long Bay, Hon Cho, Hon Ga Choi, Hon Con Coc, and more. Each point has its own historical references so tourists enjoy the stories while immersing themselves in the silence of the vast sea, taking in the cool autumn scent amidst the radiant sunset.

Visiting the Heritage Bay from the International Passenger Port in Ha Long is a fascinating experience.

In addition to the usual piers, tourists can visit the heritage bay from Ha Long International Passenger Port - a 4,500 m2, three-storey high terminal, designed by the world's leading architect - Bill Bensley, similar to a vibrant, eye-catching corner of the ancient town of Hoi An beside the resplendent bay.

Sun World Ha Long is a favoured destination for many tourists in their journey to explore the Heritage Bay.

After visiting the heritage bay, tourists can extend their travel journey in Ha Long with endless experiences such as admiring the scenic 1000m long coast of the famous Bai Chay Beach; exploring the unique culture of mining land at Quang Ninh Museum, which is also a must-visit "check-in" point when coming to Ha Long; the most special thing is taking the cable car across the bay to reach the world-class game world of Sun World Ha Long complex - where tourists can freely "adventure" with hundreds of games ranging from the ground to the sky at Dragon Park and Typhoon Water Park, explore the mysterious hill with Japanese cultural space at the Japanese Garden, Koi Bridge, the "Sword Forging Village" recreating Japan's largest sword production centre. Tourists can also experience a traditional Vietnamese spiritual meditation space at Bao Hai Linh Thong Tu, and admire the majestic natural scenery of Hon Gai Ha Long, Bai Chay Bridge, and Cai Lan Port from the Sun Wheel.

This is not the first time Ha Long Bay has been proposed as an attractive destination in the world. Most recently, in April 2023, CNN's travel website evaluated Ha Long Bay as one of the 25 most beautiful destinations in the world. Prior to that, also in 2023, the famous travel magazine Travel+Leisure (Asian edition) voted Ha Long Bay one of the top destinations to watch the most beautiful sunrise and sunset in Asia.