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A corner of Ha Long bay in fog. (Photo: BL) |
(CPV) -
The World Heritage Committee recognized Ha Long bay as a world natural heritage with outstanding value in terms of its aesthetic appeal, under the standard of the International Convention on Natural Heritage Protection and Culture of the world at the 18th meeting in Phuket, Thailand on December 17, 1994.
In addition, Ha Long bay is one of the residential cradles of ancient Vietnamese people with three successive cultures of Soi Nhu-Cai Beo-Ha Long.
In particular, the fishing community in the fishing villages of the bay, still preserve the unique traditions and cultural features imbued with the identities of people of Ha Long territorial waters.
As many as 20 years has past since the locations recognition (1994-2014), Ha Long bay has been managed, protected and exploited effectively, is an invaluable resources of Vietnam in general and Quang Ninh province in particular.
Diversified value of heritage
Located in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, Ha Long bay is part of the Gulf of Tonkin, 165km from Hanoi capital.
With an area of 434 square kilometers, the Bay has around 775 islands. Most of the islands are uninhabited nor visited by anyone. The limestone towers create a spectacularly beautiful natural landscape, which can be said to be an exquisite example of grown karst in hot and humid tropical climate.
The outstanding scenic beauty is enhanced by its natural ecosystems, which extend to beneath towers into the ocean.
The heritage still retains its natural features and has not been degraded though people have been present amongst them for almost as long as they have been there, now more then ever
The ecosystems, past and present, can be seen in the caves and lagoons around the bay and should be considered as the outstanding value of the ecosystems of Ha Long Bay.
Currently, the surrounding inland area of the bay has become a quickly growing urban area with a rapidly expanding tourist industry and related services. Quang Ninh province can currently boast a profitable coal industry, however coal is a finite resource, while the bay has unlimited resources.
To turn Quang Ninh province into a model center for international trade in the northern key economic zone, Ha long bay has to be considered one of the main resources, sustainable and most attractive feature of the province.
Management and conservation
Shortly after becoming a World Natural Heritage, Ha Long bay has been identified as an invaluable resource, which must be protected firmly and in the long-term but at the same time it must be exploited appropriately to provide excellent value for both residents and visitors. This is the reason why management and conservation activities always connect to promote values of the heritage and vice versa.
The problem of environmental protection of such a heritage has been always been treated as a top priority by Quang Ninh province with efforts to improve and ensure the environment of Ha Long bay.
Over the past year, management, preservation and promotion of value of the Bay have achieved certain results, contributing to development of the tourism sector and the number of tourists to Quang Ninh province is increasing. The revenue from tourism has significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of the province. The local people’s life is increasingly improved.
The province also researches, plans and directs the management and promotion of the heritage some way into the future. The Prime Minister approved the current 2020 plan in 2002 and the project on building Ha Long Ecological Museum was approved by the Government in 2002, including the project on Cua Van floating cultural center.
To serve promotion and introduction of the heritage, the Ha Long bay Management Department has established a website about Ha Long Bay; a column about the heritage has been set up in the newspaper and television of the province since 1999; 40 publications on the Bay; and large advertising billboards have been placed at critical intersections. Photos of Ha Long bay are also widely promoted worldwide through famous international channels.
In addition, the education of the younger generation and the community has been paid more attention, for example, the Heritage Protection Education Program has been taught in schools since the 2000-2001 school year, implementation of project on Ha Long eco boat, construction of guide document set about ecological environment protection education of Ha Long bay; organization for fishermen to commit on heritage protection as well as developing a network of collaborators to protect the heritage.
These activities have had practical effects, contributing to raising awareness of people's responsibility to protect the heritage./.