Ha Long Bay:
Connecting for Development
Since becoming a World Natural Heritage, Ha Long Bay has faced many challenges as well as opportunities, including opportunities to connect domestically and internationally towards further development.
The first unique inter-provincial world heritage site in Vietnam
Sunrise as seen from Cat Ba Island.
Sunrise as seen from Cat Ba Island.
On September 16, 2023, UNESCO approved the nomination dossier for Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago (in Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City) to be recognised as a World Natural Heritage. This event has made Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago the first inter-provincial world heritage site in Vietnam.
Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province and Cat Ba Archipelago in Hai Phong City possess many important national and international titles such as: Ha Long Bay Special National Monument; Cat Ba Archipelago Special National Monument; Cat Ba National Park; Lan Ha Bay — one of the most beautiful bays in the world; Marine Protected Area; Cat Ba Archipelago World Biosphere Reserve; and Ha Long Bay World Natural Heritage (1994 and 2000).
The “tung – ang” ecosystem (saltwater lake on the mountain) in Ha Long Bay.
The “tung – ang” ecosystem (saltwater lake on the mountain) in Ha Long Bay.
Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site because it contains areas of natural beauty including limestone islands covered with vegetation and limestone pinnacles rising above the sea level along with related karst features such as domes and caves. The islands comprise a spectacular untouched landscape covered with vegetation, saltwater lakes, and limestone pinnacles with steep cliffs rising above the sea level.
With a core area of 65,650 hectares and a buffer area of 34,140 hectares, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is known as the “pearl of the Gulf of Tonkin”, a “symphony” of majestic mountains and forests and vast islands.
This interprovincial natural heritage includes 1,133 diverse limestone islands, comprising 775 limestone islands in Ha Long Bay and 358 limestone islands in the Cat Ba Archipelago, covered with rich vegetation above emerald-coloured waters.
The Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago area is considered a geological museum, containing heritages of outstanding universal value; it is a place that has witnessed characteristic changes in Earth’s history, evidenced by the presence of primary forests, the bay, and the islands.
Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is recognised as a World Heritage site because it contains areas of natural beauty including vegetation-covered limestone islands and limestone mountain peaks rising above the sea, along with related karst features such as domes and caves. The spectacular scenery is untouched, featuring vegetation-covered islands, saltwater lakes, and limestone peaks with vertical cliffs rising above the sea.
With the intersection of mountains, forests and islands, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is a representative region with high biodiversity in Asia, possessing 7 adjacent marine-island, tropical and subtropical ecosystems that have developed consecutively, including the primary tropical rainforest ecosystem, cave ecosystem, mangrove ecosystem, tidal flat ecosystem, coral reef ecosystem, soft bottom ecosystem, and saltwater lake ecosystem.
Fish cages in Cat Ba Archipelago
Fish cages in Cat Ba Archipelago
Possessing Vietnam’s largest forest over the sea with an area of more than 17,000 hectares and diverse ecosystems, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is home to 4,910 species of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna, including 198 species listed in the IUCN Red List and 51 endemic species. The primary forest area on Cat Ba Island, which covers approximately 1,045 hectares, is one of the important factors contributing to the ecological value and biodiversity of this heritage site.
Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is home to 138 saltwater lakes formed from sinkholes, karst funnels, and enclosed valleys, accounting for about one-third of the world’s total saltwater lakes.
Significantly, the Cat Ba langur is a rare species, listed among the world’s most endangered animals on the IUCN Red List. Currently, only about 60-70 individuals remain, and they are exclusively found in Cat Ba, with no other locations globally hosting this species. Additionally, researchers have identified many endemic plant species here, uniquely adapted to life on limestone islands and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Covering an area of more than 17,000 hectares with diverse ecosystems, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is home to 4,910 species of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna, including 198 species listed in the IUCN Red List and 51 endemic species.
Moreover, scattered throughout the region are 138 saltwater lakes formed from sinkholes, karst funnels, and enclosed valleys. These lakes, comprising about one-third of the world’s saltwater lakes, are vital repositories of ancient and rare species with great value for conservation and scientific research. They also provide a favourable environment for species evolution.
Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago includes 1,133 limestone islands of various shapes and sizes, with 775 islands in Ha Long Bay and 358 islands in the Cat Ba Archipelago. The region boasts seven interconnected ecosystems, including marine-island, tropical, and subtropical systems, that thrive in close proximity.
Expanding the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay to include the Cat Ba Archipelago enhances the intrinsic value of the heritage. This expansion is evidenced by the harmony of landscapes, geology, geomorphology, ecosystems, and the rich diversity of flora and fauna in the region.
The outstanding global values of the area are determined to include physical and biological formations, geological and geographical formations, and the habitat of endangered species of animals and plants from an aesthetic, scientific, and conservation perspective.
Linking for mutual conservation and development
Regarding the association to protect the heritage of Ha Long Bay with some places such as Cat Ba Archipelago, Nguyen Huyen Anh, Director of Quang Ninh Department of Tourism, said that UNESCO recognised Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba archipelago as a world heritage site in 2023, with many new similarities being recognised and expanded. The association to protect heritage has been clearly stated in legal regulations such as Decree 109, which clearly stipulates how to manage heritage located in the administrative boundaries of the two provinces. Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City also have associations to issue legal documents for joint management.
Quang Ninh and Hai Phong are two neighbouring localities with many similarities. Embracing the trend of regional linkage and cooperative development, both sides have worked together to address challenges and shortcomings in tourism development. This cooperation spans state management and product development to promotion, human resource development, and preserving natural and business environments.
The two provinces have established a joint regulatory framework for state management of passenger transport and tourist activities on Ha Long and Lan Ha Bays. They have finalised plans to harmonise passenger transport schedules, extend visit and stay durations, and ensure security, order, and marine environmental protection between Ha Long and Cat Ba.
Connections within the province, nationwide and internationally
In Quang Ninh's tourism development strategy, Ha Long Bay serves as the hub for numerous linkages. This includes the comprehensive plan for managing and developing marine and island tourism products across Ha Long - Bai Tu Long - Van Don - Co To. It also encompasses eco-tourism, cultural, and community-based tourism in Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Donn, and Co To (Quang Ninh), as well as Cat Ba (Hai Phong), aiming to integrate heritage tourism spaces within various programmes.
Cat Ba Archipelago
Cat Ba Archipelago
Nguyen Huyen Anh, Director of the Department of Tourism of Quảng Ninh Province, shared that according to scientists, Bai Tu Long Bay is remarkable not only for its similarities to the core area of Ha Long Bay but also for its distinctive features. In addition to the scenic landscapes, geological structures, and caves, the bay is home to many islands where fishermen have long resided, forming a unique cultural identity in Van Don and Co To. The Bai Tu Long - Co To region boasts beautiful beaches, ancient cultural sites like the Van Don trading port, Quan Lạn communal house, and traditional festivals. Additionally, it holds ecological significance, exemplified by the Bai Tu Long ASEAN National Park, a treasure trove of natural and cultural values.
Quang Ninh Province has recently announced new itineraries on Ha Long Bay, including 10 itineraries to visit Bai Tu Long Bay and 3 itineraries connecting Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. These new itineraries not only increase the overall attractiveness, tourist attractions, and tourist experience, but also contribute to reducing the pressure of tourism on the core area of the heritage.
The limestone islands in Cat Ba are similar to those in Ha Long Bay.
The limestone islands in Cat Ba are similar to those in Ha Long Bay.
In addition, according to Vu Kien Cuong, Head of Ha Long Bay Management Board, the board has also cooperated with and learned from other localities as well as domestic and international heritage management organisations.
We have had initial connections through websites, then with UNESCO-run organisations, such as the World's Most Beautiful Bays Club. We also participate in forums organised by international organisations and UNESCO, and attend promotional fairs.
Cat Ba landscape.
Cat Ba landscape.
Domestically, Ha Long Bay is a member of the World Natural Heritage Club in Vietnam. In December, the Club will host a conference in Quang Ninh. The club includes many world natural heritages in Vietnam, such as Ha Long, Phong Nha - Ke Bang, and Trang An Landscape Complex.
Ha Long Bay as seen from Ti Top Island.
Ha Long Bay as seen from Ti Top Island.
We hope to create a connection with global heritage, that is a good idea, and it will be wonderful to share experiences and values domestically and internationally.
Linkage and cooperation for development is an inevitable trend today. Ha Long Bay is facing new challenges and opportunities to learn valuable experiences in preserving and protecting heritage, with new resources in many aspects to promote the value of heritage.
Published: December 2024
Content: TUYET LOAN, QUANG THO
Translation: NDO
Photos: THANH DAT, TUYET LOAN
Design: NGOC LINH
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