Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago have become the first inter-provincial World Natural Heritage site in the country. This is a great honor and source of pride for Quang Ninh province as well as Hai Phong city. Each heritage area possesses unique and rare values, which are advantages for socio-economic development, especially in the tourism and service industries. The two localities possessing the heritage are gradually connecting to strongly promote the value of the heritage.
At the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in September 2023, the Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh) – Cat Ba Archipelago (Hai Phong) complex was recognized as a World Natural Heritage site. Ha Long Bay, covering an area of 1,553 km2, is home to nearly 2,000 islands of varying sizes, creating a magnificent, magical, and breathtaking landscape where rocks and water blend harmoniously. Its unique and majestic scenery, including its mountains, caves, and unparalleled geological and geomorphological features, has earned Ha Long Bay two UNESCO World Heritage site designations for its exceptional global aesthetic and geological-geomorphological value. Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh was also awarded the title of New World Natural Wonder by the New Open World organization. The Cat Ba Archipelago, with a World Heritage site area of 31,150 hectares, comprises 388 islands, including the entire Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba National Park, Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve, and parts of Gia Luan and Xuan Dam communes. Previously, the Cat Ba Archipelago was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve (in 2004) and was classified by the Government as a Special National Scenic Landscape and Monument (in 2013).
To connect the two heritage regions and leverage their advantages for development, especially in the tourism sector, Havaco Investment Joint Stock Company has launched the Tuan Chau Express high-speed ferry service between Ha Long (Quang Ninh) and Cat Ba (Hai Phong City). The ferry operates daily, departing from Ha Long International Cruise Port at 7:30 AM and arriving at Dong Ho Bay (Cat Ba town center, Hai Phong City) at 8:30 AM. From Dong Ho Bay, passengers are transported to Dong Bai Port and then back to Dong Ho Bay. At 3 PM the same day, the ferry returns to Ha Long International Cruise Port. The ferry features a modern design according to European standards and has a capacity of up to 300 passengers. The journey from Ha Long to Cat Ba town center takes only about an hour, at a price of 250,000 VND per person per trip. This is the first modern high-speed passenger ferry service operating between the Ha Long Bay heritage site and the Cat Ba Archipelago. The launch of this high-speed ferry service between Ha Long and Cat Ba provides locals and tourists with a more enjoyable experience, reducing congestion and pressure on the already busy ferry routes, especially on weekends.
To preserve and promote the unique values of this inter-provincial heritage site, the Hai Phong City government recently established a Steering Committee for the Management of the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago World Natural Heritage Site, which falls under the jurisdiction of this locality.
The Steering Committee assists the People's Committee of Hai Phong City in directing the planning and implementation of tasks related to the management, protection, and promotion of the value of world natural heritage sites; proposing solutions to emerging issues related to the management, protection, and promotion of world natural heritage sites; and coordinating with the Ha Long Bay Management Board (Quang Ninh) to effectively and properly manage, protect, and promote the value of the heritage site. In addition, the Steering Committee is responsible for inspecting, guiding, and urging relevant departments, agencies, units, localities, and organizations and individuals to implement programs and plans on the management, protection, and promotion of world natural heritage sites, as well as tourism development.
With the proactive and positive collaboration between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong provinces, it is certain that in the coming time, management and tourism activities between the two heritage regions will be further promoted, thereby leveraging the unique and distinctive values of each region in attracting investment and developing tourism.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/ket-noi-2-vung-di-san-3329573.html
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