Preserving and promoting the values ​​of the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is a World Natural Heritage of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO three times. The bay has an area of ​​1,553 km² including 1,969 islands (of which 980 are named); the World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO has an area of ​​434 km², including 775 islands, of which 411 are named. This is where many famous rocky islands, caves and beautiful beaches are concentrated.

To preserve and promote the values ​​of the Heritage Site, in 1995, Quang Ninh province established the Ha Long Bay Management Board. Over the past 30 years, the Management Board has successfully fulfilled its assigned tasks; today, Ha Long Bay has a new appearance, its outstanding global values ​​are preserved intact, attracting millions of visitors.

In particular, in 2024, despite many difficulties, especially the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi , the Bay Management Board closely followed the resolutions, directions, tasks, and themes of the local government's work for 2024: "Improving the quality of economic growth; developing culture and people with the distinctive identity of Quang Ninh" , and continued to successfully complete the assigned tasks.

The total number of visitors to Ha Long Bay this year reached over 3.2 million, of which nearly two-thirds were foreign tourists (a 19.5% increase compared to 2023); entrance fee revenue reached nearly 974 billion VND (a 22.9% increase compared to the same period and exceeding the assigned plan by 21.5%). The plan to collect additional entrance fees for Ha Long Bay's scenic attractions on three new tourist routes is being developed. The Department of Tourism and the Department of Finance are requested to report to the Provincial People's Committee for submission to the Provincial People's Council.

The Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site covers an area of ​​434 km², encompassing 775 islands, of which 411 have been named. Photo: @kosherunit

Developing various tourism products and improving the quality of visitor experiences includes: adding archaeological exhibits to Tien Ong Cave; demarcating and marking the protected area for archaeological artifacts in Me Cung Cave; inviting two artists (one from the community and one from the elite) to conduct training and teach traditional folk singing to preserve and promote the cultural values ​​of fishing villages in the bay (for 12 staff members of the Management Board); and developing a plan to implement the "Ha Long - City of Festivals" project and the "Ha Long - City of Flowers" project.

In coordination with the Department of Tourism and relevant units, we advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue Decision No. 2119 on the announcement of sightseeing and tourism itineraries in Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, including 8 itineraries for visiting Ha Long Bay, 10 itineraries for visiting Bai Tu Long Bay, and 3 itineraries connecting Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay...

Strengthening and expanding relationships with international organizations, leveraging and attracting support and exchanges in finance, expertise, and technology for the management, conservation, and promotion of the Heritage site's value; and simultaneously using these external relations activities to promote and attract international tourists to visit the Bay.

In addition, the Bay Management Board also advised the province on the development of the Planning Task for the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of Ha Long Bay scenic area for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050; and the development of a Project to adjust the boundary of the heritage buffer zone. It maintained regular monitoring of the Bay's conservation status; strengthened coordination in environmental protection, waste collection, and management of socio-economic activities in the Bay; carried out repairs and renovations to infrastructure and equipment; and ensured optimal conditions for welcoming and serving domestic and international tourists.

Entering 2025, despite remaining challenges, the Bay Management Board is determined to promote a spirit of unity, proactiveness, and creativity, focusing on effectively implementing the Provincial Resolutions and Action Programs on tasks and solutions for socio-economic development and the 2025 work theme "Breakthrough in economic development, creating momentum for a new term," in conjunction with the task of managing, preserving, and promoting the value of the Bay Heritage, aiming for green development and contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the locality.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/gin-giu-va-phat-huy-nhung-gia-tri-cua-di-san-thien-nhien-the-gioi-vinh-ha-long-post334329.html