Ha Long Bay is located in Quang Ninh Province, northeast of Vietnam, with an area of ​​1,553 km² including 1,969 islands, of which 989 islands have been given names. Ha Long Bay was recognized twice by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site in 1994 and 2000 with the value of natural landscape and geology and geomorphology. The pride of Quang Ninh and Vietnam kept multiplying when once again Ha Long Bay surpassed 200 wonders from more than 200 countries and territories to enter the top 7 new natural wonders of the world in 2011.

Ha Long Bay. Photo Do Giang

Conservation efforts

The policies to manage Ha Long Bay Heritage Site are focused on management of the Heritage overall and in each of fields such as environment and tourism. 

According to Quang Ninh newspapers, the province has set up management records for islands, caves, ecosystems, historical relics, places of historical and cultural value on Ha Long Bay; implementing more than 50 scientific projects, conservation programs and activities to research and clarify the values ​​of heritage, serving socio-economic development in Ha Long Bay area. At the same time, the province has developed a set of evaluation criteria for the conservation of biodiversity values; brought the forest ecosystem on limestone in Ha Long Bay with a total area of ​​5,032 ha into the special-use forest system; established a nature reserve for strict protection; inventoried and zoned 7 archaeological sites on the bay...

Coral in Ha Long Bay. Photo Do Giang

Socio-economic activities taking place on Ha Long Bay are also strictly managed. Environmental management has been implemented synchronously with many new efforts and solutions, minimizing negative impacts on heritage values.

Raising the value of wonder

Ha Long Bay is one of the top destinations of sea and island tourism for both domestic and international tourists. Before being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, in the period of 2017-2019, on average, Ha Long Bay received over 12.4 million visitors per year.

Tourism activities in Ha Long Bay. Photo Do Giang

Promoting that leading values of Ha Long Bay, the Quang Ninh Province has focused on developing a variety of tourism products and services on Ha Long Bay in the direction of sustainability, being friendly to nature, and increasing connectivity and experience for visitors.

Yacht in Ha Long Bay. Photo Ta Quan

Along with the expansion of 5 routes and 28 tourist spots on the bay, a number of high-end products and services have been developed such as the experience of flying by helicopter to admire the scenery of Ha Long Bay, yacht activities, etc. The infrastructure at tourist sites on Ha Long Bay is embellished, ensuring compliance with the planning, harmony with the landscape and safety for visitors. The propaganda, introduction and promotion of heritage as well as raising public awareness on heritage protection continue to be promoted in various and effective forms.

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