Vietnam's Pho, Ha Long bay among Top Asia tourism experiences

(VNF) - The New York-based news website Business Insider has named Pho (noodle soup) in Hanoi and Ha Long bay on its list of 50 trips everyone should take in Asia.

Beef pho (beef noodle soup). (Source: Internet)

Accordingly, the website advises its readers to spend time slurping up a steaming bowl of Pho in Hanoi and sailing through Ha Long bay in a classic junk if they have chance to visit Vietnam.

The noodle soup is known among most tourists and loved by many, so much so that there have been heated online debates about how it should be served.

Basically, it is a bowl of soft rice noodles in a broth carefully prepared with different herbs and served with beef or chicken, shallots and chili and lemon to taste. The soup is considered a national dish and can be found all over Vietnam, although it is more a Hanoi specialty and may taste a little bit sweeter and thicker in Saigon.

Earlier, in 2015, Business Insider also listed Pho Hanoi among the Top 100 lifetime experiences and the most iconic food to eat in 50 countries worldwide.

Sail through Vietnam's Halong Bay in a boat. (Photo: huyen nguyen photograghy)

Ha Long Bay is a natural marvel with more than 1,500 islands and inlets popping up from emerald waters that are perfect for a boat cruise. The bay has become famous since UNESCO named it a natural heritage site.

Last year, the U.S. travel guide site Smarter Travel named it among the 27 best ecological spots in the world.

Tourists can book an overnight cruise on the bay to watch sunrise or sunset in a spectacular setting. Just to be fair, safety is a big concern and local authorities have considered banning overnight trips as well as replacing wooden boats with metal ones following a number of fires. A private seaplane operator also launched a service over the bay in 2014.

Other trips suggested by the website are perusing Bangkok’s Damnoen Saduak, a floating market, by boat; lounging above the forest in the infinity pool at the Hanging Gardens of Bali Resort in Indonesia; breathing the scent of the fresh, colourful flowers at Farm Tomita in Furano, Japan; enjoying dim sum in Hong Kong (China); and going shopping in Myeong Dong, the Republic of Korea.

Keep scrolling to see more can't-miss attractions, foods, and experiences in Asia:

Pretend you're in "Avatar" while hiking through the quartzite sandstone columns in China's Zhangjiajie National Park (which inspired the film). (Photo: EarnestTse / iStock)

Swim in the infinity pool at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, which offers breathtaking views of Singapore's skyline from 57 floors up. (Photo: TILT Photography/Shutterstock)

Travel back in time and explore the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. (Source: Shutterstock)

Relax at one of Japan's many onsen (hot springs). Takaragawa in Gunma is said to be one of the best in the country. (Source: TripAdvisora)

Watch the sunrise from Mount Bromo, an active volcano on the Indonesian island of Java. (Photo: lkunl / iStock)

See the prayer flags at the Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan. (Photo: MartaTari / iStock)

Take a selfie or a classic tourist pic in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. (Photo: Geoff Stearns / Flickr)

Look down at the Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur from the Petronas Towers. (Photo: Sean Pavone / iStock)

Marvel at the mysterious Chocolate Hills in the Philippines' Bohol province. There are at least 1,300 of the odd-shaped mounds. (Photo: Rasti Sedlak / Shutterstock)

( Compiled by VNF )