Preserving and promoting Ha Long Bay values

Along with the investment in renovating and embellishing a number of caves, with many sources of capital, Ha Long Bay Management Board has bravely invested and brought information technology into management to bring convenience for visitors, improve efficiency and ensure security and order. In particular, since 2017, the Management Board has installed the microwave data transmission system and upgraded the camera system at its headquarters, ports and attractions on the bay to enhance surveillance with visitors, ensure traffic order and security. Along with that, the microwave system has also been piloted in three areas: Tuan Chau, Thien Cung Cave and Bai Tho Mountain, to provide free wifi to tourists and ensure data transmission line to the supervisors.

The upgrade of GPS navigation system has also been installed in all boats on the bay. It helps the management board to follow the route of the ship, the arrival and drop off point; capture information, the number of passengers on board, search and rescue. Currently, all cruise ships on Halong Bay have installed GPS navigation systems.  The route of sightseeing boats on the bay will be continuously updated to the center of the management board. As a result, the continuous updating of data on the software system shortens the time for vehicle licensing.

In parallel with the application of information technology to improve efficiency in management, the conservation and promotion of the tangible and intangible cultural values are always a concern for the province. In particular, in early 2019, the Ha Long Bay Management Board implemented the preservation and promotion of some typical cultural values of the fishing village on the bay. The project helped repair and preserve classrooms and libraries; collect, display and preserve artifacts in Cua Van area and Cai Xa Cong resettlement areas; and recreate the floating classroom model. The project has an investment of nearly VND 1.5 billion to restore the unique cultural features of the people living on the bay, promoting the sustainable and effective cultural values of the fishing village and forming unique tourism products.

The environmental protection of Ha Long Bay is of top priority. In addition to regularly collecting waste on the bay and its surrounding areas, the management board has promoted dissemination to limit the use of plastic bottles and plastic bags when visiting on the bay. In particular, the management board is currently coordinating with Ha Long City to hire a consultant to elaborate the planning of aquaculture sites outside the core zone (the absolute protection area of the heritage) in Ha Long Bay with an area of about 356 ha.

Mr. Pham Dinh Huynh, Deputy Director of Ha Long Bay Management Board, said: In the near future, we will continue to synchronously deploy information technology application in heritage management under the smart city construction component project, such as installing wifi, cameras at attractions, and selling electronic tickets. We will also coordinate with domestic and foreign organizations to clarify values of Ha Long Bay heritage./.