Harmony Between Conservation and Sustainable Development: The Journey to Preserve the World Heritage of Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay, a natural wonder of the world , has become a symbol not only of Quang Ninh but also of Vietnam. Blessed by Mother Nature with a magnificent landscape, Ha Long Bay is a place where special values ​​of aesthetics, geology, geomorphology and cultural history converge. The journey of preserving and developing this natural heritage is a story connecting the past, present and future.

The unique values ​​of Ha Long Bay were formed through millions of years of geological movements, creating a limestone island complex with more than 1,900 large and small islands. Each island has a different shape, like sculptures that nature has carved on the sea surface. In particular, the pyramid-shaped Karst towers and the fascinating cave system in the bay fascinate visitors, and are also a vivid testament to the history of the Earth's development. The biodiversity of nearly 3,000 species of flora and fauna has turned this place into a precious natural treasure that needs to be preserved.

Ha Long Bay ( Quang Ninh ). (Photo: VNA)

Realizing the value of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh has made continuous efforts to preserve and promote the heritage potential. Since 1962, Ha Long Bay has been recognized as a National Monument and then twice honored by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1994 and 2000. This recognition not only affirms the global stature of the heritage but also sets a great responsibility in protecting and developing it sustainably.

Over the years, Quang Ninh has implemented many synchronous solutions to harmonize conservation and development. The Ha Long Bay Management Board was established in 1995 with the core task of managing, monitoring and protecting the heritage values. Ecosystem research and monitoring projects have been carried out regularly, especially in zoning and conserving coral reefs, mangrove ecosystems, as well as endemic plant species in the bay. These activities have contributed to protecting the integrity and unique biodiversity of the bay.

Staff of the Ha Long Bay Management Board collaborated with experts to survey, monitor and propagate the Ha Long palm tree - an endemic plant species of the ecosystem in Ha Long Bay, in 2018. Photo: Thu Trang

Along with conservation work, Quang Ninh also focuses on developing sustainable tourism products, creating a highlight for the Ha Long Bay tourism brand. Tour programs such as cave exploration, kayaking or staying on cruises have been upgraded, bringing rich experiences to tourists. In particular, the reenactment of fishing village culture with activities such as love songs and fishing gear performances has helped tourists feel more deeply about the lives of local residents.

However, the challenges in heritage conservation are not small. The increase in the number of tourists and resource exploitation activities threaten to affect the environment and value of the bay. In this situation, Quang Ninh province has introduced many drastic measures such as relocating people living in fishing villages to the mainland, banning fishing activities in the core heritage area, and requiring the installation of national standard wastewater treatment systems on tourist boats.

The province also focuses on raising public awareness in protecting nature. Education programs and environmental protection campaigns have been organized regularly, encouraging participation from all walks of life. The consensus of the local community is an important factor in maintaining the precious values ​​of Ha Long Bay.

With tireless efforts, Ha Long Bay today has become a symbol of majestic nature and a typical model of harmony between conservation and sustainable development. Conservation activities focus on preserving the natural beauty, while affirming the cultural and historical values ​​of the heritage. This is a clear demonstration of the connection between nature and people, between conservation and development, creating a sustainable journey for the future of Ha Long Bay.

Hoang Anh-SEAP