Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh has been listed among Asia's top five tropical island paradises, as recommended by CNN.

Stuart McDonald, founder and editor of Asian travel website travelfish.org, told CNN that Ha Long Bay is one of the most stunning boating destinations anywhere in the world.

“Comprising a vast coastal waterway of roughly 2,000 islands spread over an area of 1,500 square kilometers, carving out your own sailing space shouldn't be too much of a problem. While tranquil waters year round ensure that going for a swim is always a pleasure,” he said on CNN’s website.

“The mysterious limestone caves on Ha Long Bay's bigger islands and the incredible sunsets meanwhile are two sights not to be missed,” he added.

The other places on the list include Anambas in Indonesia, Koh Chang and Similan in Thailand and Langkawi in Malaysia.

Last November, Ha Long Bay was named one of the world’s seven new wonders of nature, according to the global poll’s provisional results announced by the New Open World Corporation, an associate of the New 7 Wonders Foundation.