Da Lat and Lan Ha Bay named among top 18 mysterious gems in Asia

CNN Travel has named Da Lat city in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong and Lan Ha Bay on Cat Ba Island among its top 18 mysterious gems of Asia which are less-crowded, but just as rewarding.

Da Lat and Lan Ha Bay named among top 18 mysterious gems in Asia -0

Situated in the central highlands province of Lam Dong, Da Lat city goes by different names due to its romantic beauty such as “Little Paris”, “City of Pine Forests”, and “Land of Mist”. Indeed, Da Lat’s flowers, lakes, and waterfalls attract tourists both near and far.

According to CNN, at 1,500 meters above sea level, the city’s cooler weather is a welcome reprieve from the tropical humidity that is typically found elsewhere in the country.

It noted that based around the romantic Xuan Huong lake, Da Lat boasts everything from French colonial architecture, which is a part of its legacy from its days as a hill station, to the "Crazy House", the Seussian creation of architect Dang Viet.

“Plentiful waterfalls and a vibrant flower industry mean that delights abound in the city for honeymooners and nature lovers,” says the website.

Lan Ha Bay can be found to the east of Cat Ba island in the northern port city of Hai Phong and is just to the south of Ha Long Bay. The area is a wonderful destination for visitors to explore, enjoy great experiences, and spend their weekend vacations.

Recently recognised as a member of the Beautiful Bay Club Association, Lan Ha Bay is a very quiet bay with around 400 large and small islands. Nearly 400 limestone islands in the bay are covered with natural green vegetation.

CNN shared that Lan Ha Bay is a stretch of shimmering water broken up by limestone (karst) islands that can be enjoyed by day trip such as kayak or canoe, or alternatively overnight, such as on a cruise ship.

Rounding off the list of the top 18 destinations were Isaan of Thailand, Leshan of China, Skardu of Pakistan, Nikko of Japan, Davao of the Philippines, Meghalaya of India, Pulau Ubin of Singapore, and Samosir Island of Indonesia. This is along with Pakse of Laos, Tengchong of China, the Gogunsan Islands of the Republic of Korea, Kenting of Taiwan (China), Banteay Chhmar of Cambodia, and Jaffna of Sri Lanka.

VOV

Other News

UAE grants visa-on-arrival for eligible Vietnamese citizens

UAE grants visa-on-arrival for eligible Vietnamese citizens

PSNews - The UAE Embassy in Vietnam also confirmed that Vietnamese citizens holding ordinary passports, and their eligible accompanying family members, are able to get a visa on arrival from June 25, 2026 as long as they meet the above requirements.

Hanoi festival celebrates cultural heritage of lotus

Hanoi festival celebrates cultural heritage of lotus

The festival is part of Hanoi's strategy to boost its cultural industries by transforming cultural heritage into a driver of socio-economic development while preserving and promoting the city's traditional cultural values.

Vietnam's Hidden Spa-Water Hope wins top jury prize at Architizer A+Awards 2026

Vietnam's Hidden Spa-Water Hope wins top jury prize at Architizer A+Awards 2026

Nestled among coastal sand dunes in Cam Ranh, the project was conceived with a strong commitment to respecting the natural landscape and harnessing water as its central element. Rather than creating a visually dominant structure, the design blends into the terrain, making use of sand layers, native vegetation and open spaces to strengthen the connection between people and nature.

Heritage resources fuel Hue's new growth ambitions

Heritage resources fuel Hue's new growth ambitions

Hue is simultaneously stepping up efforts to attract investment into tourism, services and cultural industries. In the first five months of 2026, the city secured more than 19 trillion VND in newly registered investment capital, with projects planned in coastal tourism, lagoon-based ecotourism, cultural spaces along the Perfume River, convention and exhibition centres, night-time economy projects and cultural innovation hubs.

Phu Tho moves to unlock tourism potential after administrative mergence

Phu Tho moves to unlock tourism potential after administrative mergence

With coordinated efforts in planning, infrastructure development, product diversification, human resources training, digital transformation and destination branding, Phu Tho is well-positioned to transform tourism into a spearhead economic sector and a new engine of sustainable growth in the years ahead.

AI ushers in a new era for digital art

AI ushers in a new era for digital art

As cultural industries and the creative economy gain momentum, AI is proving valuable in improving efficiency, streamlining operations and enabling creators to focus more on artistic content.

Green tourism charts a new course for Vietnam

Green tourism charts a new course for Vietnam

With its rich agricultural ecosystem, where each region boasts unique produce, culinary traditions, and farming practices, Vietnam is well positioned to develop and expand the farm-to-table model. Cities and provinces, such as Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Da Nang, Hue, Can Tho, Lam Dong, and Vinh Long, are already embracing the model as part of their green tourism strategies.

Wildlife protection drive delivers encouraging conservation gains

Wildlife protection drive delivers encouraging conservation gains

Implemented under Plan 628, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the campaign marks a shift towards a more coordinated and long-term approach to protecting wildlife and natural resources.

Vietnam seeks strong global presence for its children's books

Vietnam seeks strong global presence for its children's books

According to experts, Vietnam needs a systematic and long-term strategy to bring its children’s literature to the world. This includes strong support for authors, illustrators, editors, translators, and copyright specialists, as well as greater participation in international book fairs as part of a cultural industry development strategy.

Lotus Festival lights up Hue's summer

Lotus Festival lights up Hue's summer

Scheduled for June 19-21 at Bong Lai Islet on Tinh Tam Lotus Lake in Phu Xuan ward, one of Hue’s most renowned scenic landmarks and a symbol of royal garden art, the festival draws inspiration from the lotus’s enduring beauty in court culture. The event aims to honour local heritage while offering visitors a distinctive summer tourism experience.

ASEAN city leaders explore Hanoi's heritage sites

ASEAN city leaders explore Hanoi's heritage sites

At the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, delegates visited the Doan Mon Gate and learnt about the formation and development of the ancient capital through different historical periods at display spaces. They also explored the Kinh Thien Palace’s Dragon Steps (large stone steps with dragon carvings), regarded as the political and ceremonial centre of the imperial citadel during successive Vietnamese dynasties.

Heritage takes centre stage at Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026

Heritage takes centre stage at Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026

Vietnam's Z121 Vina Pyrotech impressed spectators at Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026 with a display deeply rooted in national identity. Using modern pyrotechnic technology, the team recreated the image of the palm tree, a symbol of the ancestral land of Phu Tho, before closing with a spectacular synchronised fireworks finale set to the iconic song Noi vong tay lon (Joining Hands Together), drawing enthusiastic applause from audiences.

Phong Nha – Ke Bang earns UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status

Phong Nha – Ke Bang earns UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status

The recognition marks the third UNESCO accolade for Phong Nha – Ke Bang, which was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2003 and again in 2015. The latest designation highlights the park's global ecological significance while opening new prospects for conservation and sustainable development.

Night-time economy drives growth of Hanoi's cultural industries

Night-time economy drives growth of Hanoi's cultural industries

Under the Politburo’s Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture, Hanoi has been given fresh opportunities to leverage its cultural, historical, tourism and creative assets. The city’s recently approved project on developing the night-time economy for 2026–2030, with a vision to 2045, is expected to create momentum for cultural industry growth while enhancing Hanoi’s standing as a creative and modern city with a distinctive identity.

Efforts made to preserve, promote values of Non nuoc Cao Bang global geopark

Efforts made to preserve, promote values of Non nuoc Cao Bang global geopark

UNESCO presented certificates to 12 newly designated UNESCO Global Geoparks and 44 others that successfully passed revalidation in Paris on April 27, 2026. Among them, Vietnam’s Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark was once again honoured, reaffirming its outstanding heritage and sustained efforts in preservation and promotion.