It is however its World Heritage site that hold a special place in the hearts of all Vietnamese. Below is an examination of two of Vietnam’s most impressive: ha Long Bay and Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

HA LONG BAY

Looking down from above, Ha Long Bay with its thousands of craggy limestone islands surrounded by sparkling, lapping waves paints a grand picture. With the limestone formations of the region 500 million years in the marking, Ha Long Bay is without doubt one of Mother Nature’s greatest masterpieces. On Ha Long Bay’s may islands can be found lakes and marvelous cathedral like caves and grottoes that sit both above and below the sea level. Host to two ecosystems; a tropical. ,moist, evergreen rainforest ecosystem; and a marine and coastal ecosystem, Ha Long Bay is home to an abundance of biodiversity including white – tabby and red- haired monkey, deer, pheasants, eagles, wild boars, migrating birds and tortoises. The local people who live in Ha long bay are a sea – faring folk who ply the shallow waters for its wide range of fish and mollusks. For the visitor there is much to do from day trip and overnight cruise aboard, through to exploring the island by kayak, or simply lazing the day away on a beach.

PHONG NHA – KE BANG NATIONAL PARK

Located in Quang Binh province in north – central Vietnam and about 500km south of Hanoi, the Phong Nha- Ke Bang National Park protects one of the two largest karst regions in the world. Whilst only 20 of the Park’s 300 caves and grottoes have been formally surveyed, th Park already lays claim to a number of world caves record with Son Doong Cave ( Mountain River cave ) having the world’s largest cavern and passageway which at the towering 200m in height, is 7 times as high as the vaulted ceiling of England’s York Cathedral, and about twice the high of the 2nd record holder. On the other hand, the spectacular Phong Nha Cave is considered to have the world’s longest river, and with beautiful shimmering stalactite formations, is a must- visit. With the plateau on which the Park is situated thought to be one of the finest and most distinctive examples of a complex karsts landform in Southeast Asia, there Is little wonder why Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is UNESSCO World Heritage listed.