Ha Long Bay is a "UNESCO World Heritage Site" located in the province of Quang Ninh in Vietnam. As a popular travel destination in Vietnam, it is visited by thousands of tourists wanting to see multitude of towering limestone karsts, islands and islets scattered around the 1,553 square km area of the bay. In 2012, Ha Long Bay was chosen as one of the "New 7 Wonders of Nature" via a global poll organized by the New7Wonders Foundation.

40 Awesome Photos of Ha Long Bay That Will Make You Pack Your Bags And Go To Vietnam

During our trip to Vietnam last year, we had a chance to explore some of Ha Long Bay's popular tourist attractions via a Ha Long Bay Day Cruise. Most travelers visiting Halong Bay arrive from Hanoi and take bus, mini van, or private car to get to Halong Bay.

Here are 40 awesome photos of our Ha Long Bay tour that (I hope) will make you pack your bags and go!

1. The cruise ship that will tour us in Ha Long Bay

2. Ha Long Bay from a far

3. Our cruise ship's sun deck

4. Just enjoying the view

5. Towering karst formations at the bay

6. View from the cruise ship's window before we dock at Dau Go island

7. The bridge leading to Thien Cung Cave

8. Ticket counter

9. View from the entrance of Thien Cung Cave

10. Impressive rock formations inside Thien Cung Cave aka Heavenly Palace

11. Illuminated rock formations

12. Exploring more of the rock formations

13. The fancy lighting brings out the shape of the lovely rock formation

14. Richly ornamented stalactites and stalagmites

15. Seeing these rock formations feel like visiting an art museum

16. Flows of stalactites and stalagmites

17. This gives you an impression of being in a heavenly world. Isn't it?

18. We went back to the cruise ship for our next destination - the lagoons!

19. Lovely karst formations at the bay

20. Isn't awesome?!

21. Docking area to the lagoon

22. Boat-woman waiting for tourists

23. Ready to explore

24. Traditional boats are used to explore the lagoons

25. Navigating the lagoon

26. More of the traditional boats

27. The view of the towering karst along the bay

28. Traditional boats entering the cave leading to the lagoon

29. Inside the low passage under a lime stone karst

30. Getting through the cave

31. Each boat could carry up to 4 passengers

32. Navigating through the limestone karsts

33. Be sure to visit the lagoons in the morning

34. It is only accessible in the morning when the tide is low

35. Lovely sights at the lagoon surrounded by high limestone karsts

36. Passing through low passage

37. Traditional boats inside the passage

38. We're enjoying our time going around the lagoon

39. Finally exiting the lagoon

40. Back at the bay

We went back to our cruise ship and had a sumptuous seafood lunch while our ship head back to the port. This is certainly one of the best boat rides I've ever had. I truly enjoyed exploring Ha Long Bay!

When in Hanoi, you should not miss visiting Ha Long Bay, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For ease and convenience, you can book a packaged tour to Halong Bay via Klook.com. Here are my suggestions:

• Halong Bay Deluxe Cruise
• Halong Bay Day Tour
• Ha Long Bay Day Tour from Hanoi
• 3D2N Halong Bay Cruise and Cat Ba Island Tour

This Hanoi Vietnam Familiarization Tour happened on November 9-12, 2014 was courtesy of Cebu Pacific Air. Cebu Pacific flies 3 times weekly (Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturday) from Manila to Hanoi, leaving Manila at 10:20 PM and arriving in Hanoi at 12:30 AM. Return flights leave Hanoi for Manila at 1:00 AM every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrive in Manila at 5:15 AM. Hanoi is the best jump-off point if you want to visit Ha Long Bay.

For bookings and inquiries, kindly log on to www.cebupacificair.com, or call Cebu Pacific Air's reservation hotlines at (02) 7020–888 or (032) 230–8888. You may also visit their official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cebupacificair) for the latest news on their seat sale and promos.

Thank you Cebu Pacific Air for bringing us to Hanoi!

All photos were taken using Nikon Coolpix AW 120.