In its introduction, the National Geographic says Halong Bay, or the Bay of the Descending Dragon, in northeastern Vietnam, is scattered with some 3,000 precipitous, strangely sculpted limestone islands and outcrops, and dotted with small floating villages and deserted sandy beaches.

In spring and early summer the water is particularly calm and clear. This UNESCO World Heritage site is best explored by a cruise on a junk.

Halong Bay has been previously listed in the world’s top ten sailing cruise by the Lonely Planet Magazine.