“Treasure” Ha Long Bay and the footprints of special guests

Nature has bestowed upon Quang Ninh, the northeastern tip of the country, Ha Long Bay, a “Wonder of Earth standing in the sky”. That wonder was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage for the first time on December 17, 1994 and has been preserved and cherished for the past 30 years.

Geopark of the Sea

With thousands of large and small limestone islands rising from the sea, Ha Long Bay is like a magnificent natural sculpture, a geological park of the sea, and one of the largest marine karst limestone areas in the world.

This place is home to over 3,000 species of flora and fauna living in many diverse ecosystems typical of limestone mountain sea areas such as: pine ecosystem, cave ecosystem, coral reef ecosystem, mangrove ecosystem, evergreen forest ecosystem on limestone mountains...

Ha Long Bay is a masterpiece of nature, a "wonder of the earth built in the sky".

Ha Long Bay is also one of the natural history museums of mankind. From the sites and relics found, scientists have determined that Ha Long Bay was a place of residence of ancient Vietnamese people dating back 18,000 - 3,500 years ago.

This place has also recorded the heroic feats and achievements of the people of Quang Ninh in historical periods and preserved and conserved the unique cultural values ​​of the fishing community in Ha Long Bay.

With such special values, in 1962, Ha Long Bay was ranked by the State as a National Monument.

Ha Long Bay was first recognized as a World Natural Heritage in 1994 for its aesthetic value. Photo: QMG

In 1994 and 2000, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) twice recognized Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage for its landscape value and geological and geomorphological values. In 2009, the Vietnamese Government ranked Ha Long Bay as a special national monument. And in 2011, Ha Long Bay was voted one of the new 7 natural wonders of the world, once again affirming the global value of Ha Long Bay.

And most recently, in 2024, the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago Heritage Site (in 2023, the World Heritage Committee approved the expansion of the Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site boundary to include the Cat Ba Archipelago of Hai Phong city) was awarded a certificate of recognition by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) for the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago International Geoheritage.

UNESCO awarded the Certificate of World Natural Heritage recognition for Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago, the first inter-provincial heritage of Vietnam. Photo: Dam Thanh

In addition, in recent years, Ha Long Bay has always been present in the rankings and votes of attractive tourist destinations voted by many international organizations, media agencies, and prestigious websites in the world. Accordingly, Ha Long Bay has become one of the 10 most impressive UNESCO heritages in Asia, one of the 10 most ideal tourist attractions in Southeast Asia, one of the 25 most incredibly beautiful places in the world, one of the 24 tourist destinations worth visiting in 2024...

Treasure of the smokeless industry

Ha Long Bay has long been a must-see destination on the world tourism map. According to Business Insider, Ha Long Bay makes a strong impression on visitors thanks to its rare natural beauty and diverse terrain. The advantages of the landscape have helped Ha Long Bay become one of the top tourist destinations in Vietnam.

Ms. Pilar (standing next to the Vietnamese chef on the cruise) and her Spanish friends returned to visit Ha Long Bay and the chef impressed them. Photo: Provided by Paradise Group.

"I hope you like this tour around the world with the best chefs on our globe - you are one of them! Many thanks for your great professionalism and your delicious meals! A pleasure to be with you again today, best" (I hope you enjoy this tour around the world with the best chefs on our globe - you are one of them! Many thanks for your great professionalism and your delicious meals! It's a pleasure to see you again today, all the best). Those are the guestbook lines of Pilar Latorre - a world-famous chef, creator of "World Cuisine", written during her return to Ha Long Bay with her Spanish friends in November 2022.

Previously, in the summer of 2019, Quang Ninh also welcomed a special guest, billionaire Joe Lewis - owner of Tottenham Hotspur football team and his beautiful niece on the super yacht Aviva, docking at Ha Long International Passenger Port. Mr. Joe Lewis expressed his admiration for the rare beauty of Ha Long Bay.

"Along the way from the sea to the port, I was amazed by the unique beauty of Ha Long Bay. I have never seen such a landscape anywhere. Ha Long Bay's scenery is stunning, this is a precious asset that you are lucky to have," said Mr. Joe Lewis.

Indian tourists are excited about the cruise to visit Ha Long Bay - a natural wonder of the world. Photo: Thu Le

Ha Long Bay has gradually become a destination for the world's billionaires. After billionaire Joe Lewis, one of the five richest billionaires in India, who owns Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, chose to bring more than 4,500 workers and their relatives to visit Ha Long Bay.

Accumulated from 1996 to the end of November 2024, Ha Long Bay has welcomed over 57 million visitors. Of which, there are over 26.1 million Vietnamese visitors and over 30.8 million foreign visitors. Total revenue from Ha Long Bay entrance fees from 1996 to present is over 8,608 billion VND.

And early next year, in the "Art for Climate - Ha Long Bay 2025" Festival, in addition to politicians, artists, environmental activists, investors and students, there will be the presence of more than 200 world billionaires attending the festival.

According to the Ha Long Bay Management Board, after being recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, on December 9, 1995, Quang Ninh province established the Ha Long Bay Management Board to stabilize order in the work of preserving and promoting the value of Ha Long Bay Heritage. And starting from 1996, this unit began selling tickets to visit Ha Long Bay.

Vung Vieng fishing village with its wild and peaceful beauty is one of the destinations that "attracts" international visitors when coming to Ha Long Bay. Photo: Ngoc Anh

Not only contributing directly to the provincial budget, Ha Long Bay with its great attraction to domestic and international tourists has become the driving force for many other economic sectors of Quang Ninh to develop accordingly. Therefore, for many Ha Long residents, tourism is considered as "the goose that lays the golden eggs".

In order not to "exhaust" heritage, we must develop green tourism.

Tourism is identified by Quang Ninh as one of the province's key economic sectors. However, for a locality with a rapid growth rate (9 consecutive years from 2015-2023, double-digit growth), the huge volume of transport, urban and service infrastructure projects has created great pressure on heritage.

This has posed many challenges in the work of preserving cultural heritage. In this situation, developing sustainable tourism in the direction of green growth is considered a necessary direction to avoid "exhausting" heritage, while at the same time, improving the competitiveness of localities in the integration process.

The collection of floating garbage in Ha Long Bay is always carried out regularly by the Bay Management Board. Photo: Bui My

To protect this "treasure", many strong policies have been implemented by Quang Ninh province. Talking to Dan Viet reporter , Head of Ha Long Bay Management Board Vu Kien Cuong said that to prevent, control and overcome environmental pollution, in order to protect the heritage, Quang Ninh province has proactively sought and attracted many projects on environmental protection of Ha Long Bay such as the Green Growth Project, Ha Long Bay environmental protection project sponsored by JICA....

To preserve the heritage of Ha Long Bay, since 2014, Quang Ninh has relocated fishing households on the bay to live on shore. Photo: Ngoc Anh

"Many pioneering and breakthrough solutions demonstrating the determination to prioritize the preservation of the intact values ​​of the Heritage and the protection of biodiversity have been implemented, such as: Relocating households in fishing villages on the bay to live on shore since 2014, ensuring social security and welfare for the people; banning fishing in the absolute protection area of ​​the Heritage area since 2018; implementing the establishment of aquaculture planning points outside the absolute protection area of ​​the Heritage; bringing the forest ecosystem on the limestone mountains of Ha Long Bay with a total area of ​​more than 5,032 hectares into the special-use forest system, establishing a nature reserve to strictly protect the ecosystems in Ha Long Bay...", Mr. Cuong said.

+ The rate of wastewater collection and treatment in concentrated urban areas along the Bay's shore reached 48%. + The rate of tourist boats operating on the Bay that have installed oil-water separation equipment reached 100%. + The rate of disposable plastic waste that must be collected at tourist attractions on the Bay decreased by 90%. + The rate of styrofoam buoys on floating structures on the Bay that were replaced reached 94%.

Along with protecting the environment for Ha Long Bay heritage, developing green and sustainable tourism is one of the most important solutions.

Ms. Nguyen Huyen Anh - Director of the Department of Tourism of Quang Ninh province said that the Master Plan for tourism development in Quang Ninh to 2020, with a vision to 2030, was built to determine tourism development in parallel with protecting and maximizing natural advantages, preserving and promoting national identity, cultural values, preserving landscapes and protecting the environment.

Ms. Nguyen Huyen Anh, Director of Quang Ninh Department of Tourism

On that basis, Quang Ninh tourism industry has maximized its available potential, creating unique tourism products. Many destinations have developed eco-tourism products, exploring green tourism, green tourism models that bring benefits to the environment and human health.

Besides creating new and unique tourism products, improving the quality of tourist fleets operating in the bay is also very necessary.

Mr. Hoang Quang Hai - Director of Quang Ninh Department of Transport said that from now until 2025, Ha Long Bay will maintain 508 tourist ships serving 25,000 passengers/day, piloting a number of discovery cruise ships operating in separate areas or separate routes. For Bai Tu Long Bay, steel-hulled tourist ships operating in Ha Long Bay are encouraged to register and transfer operations to Bai Tu Long Bay; by 2025, it is expected to add 100 tourist ships. Strive to achieve 100% of the number of tourist ships being newly built/replaced with steel hulls (or equivalent materials) by 2030.

Grand Pioneers Cruise was named "World's Best Green Cruise Line 2024" at the World Cruise Awards 2024.

In the journey to improve the quality of this cruise fleet, a high-end cruise brand from Quang Ninh has surpassed famous brands such as: Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Line, Grand Pioneers Cruise to be honored as "World's Best Green Cruise Line 2024" at World Cruise Awards 2024.

These are two cruise ships belonging to the Grand Pioneers Cruise fleet of Viet Thuan Transport Company Limited (Viet Thuan Company). These two cruise ships are also the only 6-star cruise ships in Ha Long Bay today.

Mr. Luong The Tuyen - Deputy Director of Viet Thuan Company said: "According to the regulations on building new tourist ships in Quang Ninh, to participate in the tourist ship market, the Company has invested and is commercially operating 2 twin cruise ships Grand Pioneers, with more than 100 high-class rooms on Ha Long Bay. Of which, 1 ship will be put into operation from November 2023, and the other from May 29, 2024".

Grand Pioneers Cruise of Viet Thuan Transport Company Limited is the only 6-star cruise in Ha Long Bay at present. Photo: DCCC

Both yachts are built and built according to the most advanced shipbuilding standards in the world today, equipped with air conditioning systems from Japan, using seawater for cooling, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency by up to 40%. In addition, the main engine and generator help ensure safe and environmentally friendly operation, along with an advanced wastewater treatment system that meets standards before discharge. The wastewater system from the ship is so clean that it "can be used to raise fish" - according to Mr. Luong The Tuyen.

Grand Pioneers Cruise of Viet Thuan Transport Company Limited offers the only 6-star experience in Ha Long Bay. Photo: DVCC

All equipment and utensils for tourists on the ship do not contain single-use plastic. Heat from the kitchen and the ship's engine is collected to heat the swimming pool water. Organic waste is recycled for multiple uses. Inorganic waste and other types of waste are collected and brought to shore for treatment.

Grand Pioneers Cruise is part of a project to build two of the largest and most expensive cruise ships in Vietnam. The total investment of these "twin" ships is about 35 million USD. Both ships are up to 109.9m long - equal to the standard length of a football field according to FIFA regulations, and 18.68m wide. The design includes 1 basement, 6 upper floors, each floor has an area of ​​over 2,000m2. Each ship has 55 luxury rooms and amenities, with a capacity of 160 overnight guests and 320 visitors.

More specifically, this pair of 6-star Grand Pioneers Cruise is the first product of Viet Thuan Company when entering the cruise tourism sector. "We want to create positive impacts on the environment, want to contribute to Quang Ninh province to protect the world natural heritage of Ha Long Bay in our own way. In particular, we want to leave special impressions about the heritage destination of Ha Long Bay in our own way: quality and sustainability", Mr. Thuyen shared.

It can be said that among the new tourism products that businesses have proposed to exploit in Ha Long Bay, "Ha Long Heritage Journey" of the Grand Pioneers Cruise Team is considered a typical project for the development of green, sustainable tourism, based on the preservation and honoring of the heritage values ​​of Ha Long Bay. This is also a high-end resort tourism product built on the spirit of promoting the values ​​of nature, people and culture of the bay.

Mr. Thuyen said that on this journey, tourists will pass through 4 heritage areas. Starting from Tuan Chau port, this cruise takes tourists to very difficult-to-reach places such as: Da Xep Park (a place considered an outdoor geological museum that has existed for 320 million years), places such as: Dau Go Island and Xuong Rong Island, Vung Vieng ancient fishing village...

Tuan Chau International Passenger Port has been renovated and upgraded, providing the best service experience for visitors to Ha Long Bay. In the photo is the cruise terminal of VIETYACHT Company with a fleet of luxury private yachts imported in their entirety from France and Italy. Photo: Thu Le

Another pioneering company bringing a luxury cruise experience to Ha Long Bay is Viet Yacht Company Limited (VIETYACHT). This company is currently the exclusive distributor of more than 120 yacht models from 7 leading brands in the world such as: JEANNEAU, PRESTIGE, FOUNTAINE PAJOT, FERRETTI YACHTS, PERSHING, RIVA, ALFASTREET.

In addition to distribution, VIETYACHT also operates and rents these yachts on Ha Long Bay to serve tourists, bringing a new tourism product, meeting the diverse needs of tourists coming to Ha Long Bay. "These yachts are all imported brand new from France and Italy, strictly complying with safety standards and environmental protection. Therefore, we are confident in saying that we are contributing to the common goal - developing green tourism in Quang Ninh province", Ms. Salem Huong - Vice President of VIETYACHT Company affirmed.

UNESCO recommends that Quang Ninh develop sustainable tourism activities as a top priority for Ha Long Bay to preserve and promote this unique World Natural Heritage.

Focusing on sustainable tourism activities must be the top priority of Ha Long Bay. At the same time, prioritizing quality over quantity, creating unique and rich experiences for tourists is the way that Quang Ninh province and businesses in the service and tourism sectors are working together to implement.

And that is also one of the important recommendations made by UNESCO for Quang Ninh in the work of preserving and promoting the heritage of Ha Long Bay.

Source: https://danviet.vn/bau-vat-vinh-ha-long-va-dau-chan-cua-nhung-vi-khach-dac-biet-20241216180441874.htm