Ha Long listed among 10 iconic Southeast Asian tourist attractions

Overall, Ha Long Bay ranks fourth in the list. The website notes, “In the Bay of Descending Dragons, a unique karst topography juts out of the sea and forms some 2,000 limestone islets. These often vertical formations are largely covered in dense forests. A cruise among the formations is a magnificent way to spend a few days or more, landing on the islets for further exploration, rock climbing, and other activities.”

Topping the list is the Temples at Bagan in Myanmar. There are few sunsets in the world that can compare to the epic light that shines on the thousands of temples situated on the Bagan plains. The reason why the Buddhist temples in Bagan are so popular is not due to their inpidual majesty, but rather their high-density and endless array of similar structures which emerge from across the plains.

Second position on the list goes to Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia. This historic site saw generations of Khmer rulers build hundreds of architecturally jaw-dropping temples throughout the site. Indeed, for many guests one day simply isn't enough to see the site in its entirety.

Sampling the food of Penang in Malaysia comes in third. A range of spicy curries, delicious laksas, and savoury soups can all be found on the menu. The vast majority of food found in local restaurants is extraordinarily cheap, so if guests are looking for an excuse to stop binging, this is not the place to look.

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, Indonesia is placed in fifth. Most notably, the area’s Mount Bromo is widely considered to be one of the most stunning places worldwide to watch a sunrise. Although the site is full of tourists, Bromo's desolate beauty will leave a lasting impression on visitors.

Sixth position goes to Luang Prabang in Laos. Beyond its quiet temples, Luang Prabang is most famous for its delicious cuisine and alms procession, a daily morning ritual during which monks clad in saffron robes take donations of food. Outside of town in the surrounding jungle, guests can find nature spots such as surprisingly powerful waterfalls, bathing pools, and echoing caves.

Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia is placed in seventh. The ascent of the mountain is technically straightforward and it is considered to be one of the most accessible mountains globally. For those who want a real adventure, it is suggested that they try an excursion up to the 4,095-metre peak.

Eighth position is claimed by Bali in Indonesia. Featuring some of the best surf spots in the world to a dizzying number of temples, from black-sand beaches to epic volcano trekking, the place known as the "Island of the Gods" has enough activities to keep guests busy for a long time.

Ifugao Rice Terraces of the Philippines comes in ninth. Allegedly entirely built by hand, the stone- and mud-walled terraces are built amid impossibly steep slopes and are irrigated by mountainous streams and springs. During the harvest season in the villages of Banaue and Batad, when the rice plants are at their brightest green, the valleys practically glow amid the sunshine, whilst trekking around the hillsides can be a surreal experience.

Krabi province in Thailand completes the list in 10th place. When travelers often praise the pristine nature of Thai beaches, they're usually talking about those found in Krabi province. The locality is home to some of the best sand and water globally, meaning it's no wonder that everyone jets off for Krabi province for a trip. Despite all of the tourists, quiet and secluded islands can still be found.