Ha Long Bay Among the Five Tropical Paradises in Asia
Ha Long Bay, located in the northern province of Quang Ninh Vietnam, is among the top five tropical paradises in Asia, as ranked by CNN. The cable TV channel said that the sunset is a spectacular moment that hikers should not miss when visiting this natural wonder of the world.
In the same list, CNN also included Anambas and Langwaki Archipelagos in Indonesia and Malaysia respectively, and the Similan Islands and Koh Chang in Thailand. Ha Long Bay (whose name means descending dragon), is about 170 kilometers northeast of Hanoi. It covers more than 1 500 square kilometers with limestone headlands of singular forms, emerging from a crystalline sea.
This landform has a total of almost two thousand islands and caves, with 200 species of fish and 450 kinds of mollusks. Many of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, while others serve to support floating villages of fishermen. The bay was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO twice, once in 1994 for its beauty, and in 2000, for its geological peculiarities. It was recently named one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World among 440 nominations.
The New7Wonders Foundation President, Bernard Weber, gave the official recognition to the Vietnamese authorities for Ha Long Bay during a ceremony in Hanoi. In his speech, Weber argued for a wider promotion in the international community about Ha Long, which won the title in a public vote concluded on November 11 last year.
Vietnam began the festivities for the most recent distinction of Ha Long Bay in the central field of the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi. Artists and gymnasts displayed a colorful and exciting show that lasted nearly three hours, with the presence of more than 1500 people. The ceremony was similar to those that usually take place in the openings for the Olympic Games or the World Cup.
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