"The most beautiful city in Vietnam" posted the highest upward leap from previous rankings because of the restoration of its magnificent citadel. Ugly new high-rise hotels, however, chip away at ancient Hue's historical character.
Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:
"Most beautiful city in Vietnam. However, lack of information, lack of a management vision, and new development cause a serious threat to the town."
"This is an important city that offers a wonderful insight into Vietnamese culture. It is heavily visited but well managed. The management seems appropriate and the local people benefit."
"Vietnam is doing much to improve access and tourist facilities, and Hue is a must-see. There are issues with on-site preservation of some of the royal tombs, but overall the Vietnamese have done a good job. The river remains polluted (dead rats, sewage and garbage floating past tour boats), which is a major problem."
"Hue is a tourist destination in the best and worst senses. It has magnificent buildings, but is the only place in Vietnam where I felt like a nameless, anonymous tourist waiting to be parted from my money."
"The city is a must for anyone wanting to have a complete Vietnam experience. There is some overdevelopment, and some of the historic landmarks and French colonial structures are losing out to ugly modern architecture and a race by the Vietnamese to develop Hue into a tourist destination."
A World Heritage site undermined by too many boats, with noisy engines fouling the water, air, and scenic beauty. "Surrounding areas are being developed with no apparent controls."
Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:
"Ha Long Bay is still a beautiful place to visit, but the pressures of mass tourism are quickly spoiling its attraction. Overcrowding by boats, pollution of the water, and unattractive development along the beaches put the long-term sustainability of this World Heritage site at risk."
"The natural attraction of Ha Long is outstanding, but virtually uncontrolled tourism and environmental neglect are utterly appalling. This has been called to account by the World Heritage Committee, but the local governmental infrastructure has not been properly developed nor well-enough managed. Massive sedimentation of the bay has killed virtually all of the coral. Poaching and neglect have also led to the disappearance of flora (cycads and orchids) on the towers."
"Ha Long is a massive archipelago of islands, and it is possible to hire boats and guides to tour some of the less visited areas. Problem is that many of the islands near Ha Long City are overtouristed. It can get downright crowded in some of the bays, with backpacker boats, Chinese and Korean tourists, and all the sellers vying for space. However, even the most dense crowds can't ruin what is still one of the great scenic adventures in Southeast Asia."
"Ha Long Bay is an extraordinary place. But it is difficult to assess how local people benefit from continued development. Now is the time to monitor the environment and plan and control development."
