Designated as a UNESCO world heritage site 20 years ago, Ha Long Bay is one of Viet Nam's most popular tourist attractions.

Official recognition was granted in 2000, and a year later, Ha Long Bay outranked 261 other landscapes around the globe to become one of seven new natural wonders of the world.

Since then, Ha Long Bay has welcomed nearly 25 million visitors, turning Quang Ninh into a tourist magnet.

Located 165km from Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay covers a 43,400ha area, including more than 1,600 islands and islets, most of them uninhabited.

UNESCO describes the bay as a "spectacular seascape of limestone pillars" and an "ideal model of a mature karst landscape developed in a warm and wet tropical climate."

Visitors to Ha Long Bay can enjoy the beach at Ti Top Island, discover Surprise Cave,and challenge themselves with water sports. They can take a one- or two-night tour on boats to sleep on the water and go squid fishing at night.

A seaplane service launched last month offers a new way to experience Ha Long Bay. Flying over the sea, tourists may view the islands from a height of 150 to 3,000 metres, which is a new experience for them.

A view of the Ha Long Bay from the sky.

Thousands of islands and islets rise from the sea.

Bai Chay beach by the sea.

A view of Ha Long Bay from the entrance of Bo Nau Cave.

The Trong Mai Islets (rock of kissing cocks).

Boats on Ha Long Bay.

Various kinds of cruises provide one- or two-night tours around the year.

Cruises dock at the wharf.

Tourists take a tour around a fishing village in Ha Long Bay.