Ha Long Bay, Hoi An among top travel destinations depicted on banknotes: SCMP

The 20,000-dong banknotes are adorned with an image of the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, a symbol of Hoi An.

An image of the Japanese Pagoda Bridge appears on a 20,000-dong banknote. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Anh

Built by Japanese traders in the 17th century, the bridge spans 18 meters over a canal that runs into the Thu Bon River. There is a small shrine built at one end of the bridge in 1653 that gives it its name.

The limestone mountains in Ha Long Bay appear on VND200,000 bills.

The limestone mountains in Ha Long Bay appear on VND200,000 bill. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Anh

Two hours from Hanoi by road, Ha Long is famous for its cruise tours through the thousands of vegetation-covered islets and towering limestone cliffs that dot its mist-shrouded bay.

The ideal time to visit the natural wonder is between March and April and September and November since there is little rain and cruise conditions are near perfect.

Others on the SCMP list are Mount Everest on Nepal’s 1,000-rupee note, Mount Fuji on Japanese bills, Banaue Rice Terraces on the Philippines’ 20-peso note, and the Red Fort on India’s 500-rupee note.