Ha Long Bay and its global media impact

The impressive natural beauty, along with its unique cultural, archaeological values, and wonderful travel experiences, make Ha Long Bay a must-visit destination for international tourists when coming to Vietnam. With prestigious awards over the past 30 years, the Ha Long Bay - a World Natural Heritage Site has increasingly demonstrated its global appeal through worldwide media coverage.

WORLD TITLES

The Ceremony for the First Recognition of Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage Site.

 

December 17, 1994

At the 18th session in Phuket, Thailand, the World Heritage Committee recognized Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage site for its outstanding global aesthetic value, according to criterion (vii) of the International Convention for the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage.

The Ceremony for the Second Recognition of Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage Site.

 

December 2nd, 2000

At the 24th plenary session in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, the World Heritage Committee recognized Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage site for the second time, based on criterion (viii) for its geological and geomorphological value.

 

The Ceremony for the Recognition of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage Site.

 

September 16th, 2023

At the 45th annual session, the World Heritage Committee approved the extension of the Ha Long Bay to include the Cat Ba Archipelago of Hai Phong City, making it the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage site.

 

The IUGS awarded the certificate recognizing Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago as an International Geopark.

August 25th, 2024

At the 37th session, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) awarded the title of International Geopark to the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago Heritage site.

Ha Long Bay is a member of the of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World

 

March 1997

Ha Long Bay is one of the three founding members and participants of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World.

 

The Ceremony for the Recognition of Ha Long Bay as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

 

April 27th, 2012

The New Open World awarded Ha Long Bay the title of New Natural Wonder of  the World.

Ha Long Bay is the Top Asian Destination in 2021.

In 2021

Ha Long Bay received the title of "Top Asian Destination in 2021" at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia region.

 

SPREADING ACROSS THE MEDIA

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, has long been a destination that captivates visitors with its majestic and unique natural landscapes. It is also a favorite destination for international tourists when they visit Vietnam, continuously being listed by top global travel magazines as one of the most beautiful places in the world.

  • 2013: Ha Long Bay was ranked in the top 10 natural wonders of Asia by Allwomenstalk.
  • 2014: Ha Long Bay was ranked in the top 20 most beautiful geological wonders in the world by the British travel site Rough Guides.
  • 2015: Ha Long Bay was honored to be included in the top 2 out of 15 "Must-Visit" travel destinations by Buzzfeed (USA).
  • 2016: Ha Long Bay ranked 3rd in the list of the 10 Most Impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Asia, according to the British travel site Rough Guides.
  • 2017: Ha Long Bay was selected by the reputable travel site Touropia as one of the 10 most beautiful natural wonders in the world.
  • 2018: Ha Long Bay was included in the list of the 25 top landmarks on Earth by Esquire magazine.
  • 2019: Ha Long Bay was ranked among the top 10 best places to watch the sunrise in the world in 2019 by MSN (The Microsoft Network).
  • 2020: Ha Long Bay was chosen by Insider (USA) as one of the 50 most beautiful natural wonders in the world.
  • 2021: Ha Long Bay topped the ranking of the 10 most beautiful bays in the world, according to the famous global travel site Touropia.
  • August 2022: Ha Long Bay was listed among the 10 most beautiful destinations in the world in 2022, according to The Travel.
  • March 2023: Ha Long Bay was ranked among the top 25 most beautiful destinations in the world by CNN.
  • February 2023: Ha Long Bay was listed as one of the 4 best places to enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets, according to Travel+Leisure.
  • April 2023: Ha Long Bay was ranked in the top 10 most beautiful destinations in Asia by The Travel.
  • October 2023: Ha Long Bay was named one of the 24 best destinations for 2024 by Forbes magazine (USA).
  • October 2023: Ha Long Bay was ranked among the 51 most beautiful destinations in the world by Condé Nast Traveler.
  • December 2023: Ha Long Bay was ranked 4th in the list of the top 10 most popular destinations in the world, according to The Travel.
  • January 2024: Ha Long Bay ranked 3rd in the list of "Best of the Best Destinations" in the 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards by TripAdvisor.
  • May 2024: Ha Long Bay was ranked among the 55 most beautiful destinations in the world by Travel+Leisure.
  • November 2024: CNN Asia released a promotional video showcasing Ha Long Bay and the Cat Ba Archipelago.

Impression in Film Footage

The majestic natural beauty of Ha Long Bay has been a key factor in attracting international filmmakers to use it as the backdrop for many famous feature films, documentaries, and reality TV shows.

  • 1992: Indochine (Vietnamese title: Đông Dương)
    Indochine is a drama film directed by Régis Wargnier and produced by Paradis Films. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 65th Academy Awards. The stunning landscapes of Ha Long Bay were used to convey the natural beauty of the Indochina region, adding to the film's atmospheric and visually captivating setting.

 

 

The image of Ha Long Bay in the Indichine film

 

 

 

·  2000: The Vertical Ray of the Sun (Vietnamese title: Mùa hè chiều thẳng đứng)
The Vertical Ray of the Sun is a film by director Trần Anh Hùng, produced as a collaboration between Vietnamese, French, and German film companies. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2000 and was released in the U.S. in July 2000, receiving positive reviews. Ha Long Bay features prominently in the film, contributing to the poetic and serene atmosphere that permeates the movie. The bay's mystical landscape enhances the film's exploration of familial relationships and the quiet beauty of Vietnam's natural environment.

·  Early 2008: Vietnam - The Ship of Dreams
This documentary, produced by German broadcaster ZDF, was filmed in Ha Long Bay. The opening lines of Captain Paulsen, the character in the film, also serve as an invitation to visitors to come to Ha Long Bay: "-We are entering Ha Long Bay… Is anyone surprised that 'Ha Long' translates to 'the place where the dragon descends into the sea'… Please let us share with you the legend of this sea region." The documentary helped further promote Ha Long Bay as a dream destination for international tourists.

·  2008: Top Gear: Vietnam Special
Vietnam Special is an episode of the famous BBC car show Top Gear. In this episode, hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May embarked on a 1,600-kilometer journey through Vietnam on motorbikes. The trio started in Ho Chi Minh City, traveled to Ha Long City, and ended at a well-known bar in Ha Long Bay. The episode featured breathtaking shots of Ha Long Bay, highlighting its stunning beauty and placing the Bay on the global map for automotive enthusiasts and travelers alike.

The Top Gear: Vietnam Special film crew shot scenes in Ha Long Bay,

 

·  2012: Documentary by Thai PBS Television
The film crew of Thai PBS Television created a two-part documentary about Ha Long Bay and the life of the people in Cửa Vạn fishing village. The documentary was broadcast in both Thai and English, showcasing not only the breathtaking natural beauty of Ha Long Bay but also the unique culture and daily life of the local residents, offering a deeper insight into the human connection with this iconic site.

·  2015: Pan
Directed by Joe Wright, Pan is a cinematic reimagining of the famous Peter Pan tale. The film, co-produced by Warner Bros., features stunning scenes shot in Vietnam, including Hang Én, Ha Long Bay, and Trang An. Ha Long Bay, with its majestic limestone mountain ranges, provided a magical, otherworldly backdrop for key moments in the film, helping to enhance its fantasy setting and transporting audiences to the mythical world of Neverland.

·  2017: Kong: Skull Island (Vietnamese title: Kông: Đảo đầu lâu)
Kong: Skull Island, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, prominently featured Ha Long Bay as one of the main filming locations. The Bay’s striking, towering limestone karsts and lush surroundings served as the perfect setting for the fictional Skull Island, home to the legendary King Kong. The film’s scenes set in Ha Long Bay gained international attention, boosting the Bay’s global recognition and further cementing its place as a cinematic icon.

Ha Long Bay served as one of the key filming locations for the 2017 blockbuster Kong: Skull Island

Kong: Skull Island is a science fiction action film directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. The film received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its visual effects. One of the standout features of Kong: Skull Island was its lengthy and pivotal scenes filmed in Ha Long Bay. These breathtaking scenes immersed the audience in the mysterious and perilous world of Skull Island, with the towering limestone peaks and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay enhancing the fantastical setting.

  • 2017: Thi Mai, rumbo a Vietnam (Vietnamese title: Thị Mai, hướng tới Việt Nam)
    This family-oriented film, directed by Patricia Ferreira from Spain, features several scenes shot in Ha Long Bay. The film showcases expansive wide shots of the bay's stunning landscapes, highlighting the majesty of its limestone mountains and emerald-green waters. Ha Long Bay is not only a backdrop for the film but also symbolizes the characters' journey of self-discovery and transformation, adding a deeper emotional layer to the story.
  • 2017: Life (Vietnamese title: Mầm sống hiểm họa)

 

Ha Long Bay’s image in the film Life

 

Life (2017) is a science fiction horror film directed by Daniel Espinosa. The film follows a team of scientists aboard the International Space Station who encounter a dangerous alien life form. While most of the movie takes place in outer space, Ha Long Bay makes a striking appearance at the end of the film. The bay’s iconic limestone mountains rising dramatically from the emerald waters provide a breathtaking and memorable final scene. The imagery of Ha Long Bay's natural beauty and tranquility contrasts with the tension and danger that dominates the rest of the film, adding a visually stunning and impactful conclusion.

  • 2023: The Creator (Vietnamese title: Kẻ kiến tạo)
    The Creator is a science fiction film directed by Gareth Edwards. The film features Ha Long Bay’s picturesque landscape, with its layered limestone mountains shrouded in mist and the calm, green waters. These scenes highlight the bay’s otherworldly beauty, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. The cinematic portrayal of Ha Long Bay complements the film's futuristic and fantastical themes, adding an ethereal and mysterious element to the story. The stunning visuals of Ha Long Bay enhance the film’s exploration of the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence, contributing to the overall atmosphere of awe and discovery.