Ha Long Bay is an important bridge between Vietnam and international friends and partners.

Celebrating 30 years since Ha Long Bay was recognized as a World Natural Heritage. (Photo: Thanh Van)

On the evening of December 14, the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province held a ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ha Long Bay being recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage for the first time (December 17, 1994 - December 17, 2024).

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairwoman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hanh emphasized that Ha Long Bay has made a worthy contribution to the development of Quang Ninh, making an important contribution to making tourism a pillar of the province's economic development, improving people's lives. At the same time, Ha Long Bay is a bridge in foreign relations between Quang Ninh, Vietnam and international friends and partners.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh affirmed that the fact that Ha Long Bay was officially honored as the first World Natural Heritage in Vietnam has brought great honor and pride, but also placed a great responsibility on Quang Ninh.

After 30 years since being recognized by UNESCO, Ha Long Bay now has a new look. In particular, the outstanding global values ​​of the heritage are preserved intact; the potential strengths are promoted; the apparatus, mechanisms and policies in heritage management and protection are gradually consolidated and improved, creating a solid foundation for the strategy to preserve and promote the values ​​of Ha Long Bay in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.

"Ha Long Bay is increasingly becoming an attractive destination, attracting domestic and international tourists; truly becoming a famous tourism brand of Quang Ninh, Vietnam and the world. From 1996 to now, there have been over 57 million visitors to the bay, with entrance fees reaching over VND8,600 billion. Thereby, contributing to the socio-economic development of Quang Ninh province", Ms. Hanh informed.

Vice Chairwoman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hanh spoke at the ceremony. (Photo: Quang Minh)

Quang Ninh has drawn many valuable lessons and experiences on the close relationship between heritage conservation and promotion; the synchronous coordination of all levels and sectors from the central to grassroots levels, and the spirit of consensus and cooperation of the community, businesses and people.

Quang Ninh is currently reporting to the Central Government to submit to the Government a plan to preserve, restore and promote the heritage value of Ha Long Bay in a new phase. The focus is to continue researching and supplementing scientific data on the two values ​​recognized by UNESCO; identifying and clarifying the cultural-historical and biodiversity values ​​of Ha Long Bay; preparing a dossier to request UNESCO to consider recognizing cultural criteria and biodiversity criteria according to the 1972 Convention.

This heritage is also expanded to Hai Phong, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is also the first world heritage of Vietnam located on the administrative boundaries of 2 or more provinces.

Therefore, Quang Ninh continues to be proactive and promote stronger links with Hai Phong to effectively implement heritage conservation, protect the ecological environment, apply science and technology, promote propaganda and international cooperation on heritage, and attract support in heritage management.

In particular, the province researches and develops new tourism products in the direction of developing high-quality tourism, exploiting and promoting the value and potential of heritage, especially tightening the relationship with Vietnam's heritages such as Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Trang An, Ho Dynasty Citadel, Hue Ancient Capital, My Son Sanctuary, Hoi An to build a series of outstanding destinations and itineraries, building Ha Long into a regional and international tourism center.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong emphasized: In the current context, when the world is facing major challenges such as climate change, environmental pollution, pressure from economic development, especially pressure from increased tourism, preserving and promoting heritage values ​​requires us to continue to make efforts, be creative and unite.

Mr. Cuong suggested that in the coming time, Quang Ninh needs to continue to do a good job of forecasting, evaluating, correctly identifying the situation, determining the position, role, distinct potential, outstanding opportunities, competitive advantages and challenges in management. At the same time, be proactive and creative in mobilizing resources, seeking the support of ministries, departments, branches, domestic and international experts to continue to have appropriate policies and actions in the management, conservation and sustainable promotion of heritage.

Promote the transformation of development methods from "brown" to "green" by applying science and technology, digital transformation, increasing the economic value of heritage, developing cultural industry in a professional, modern, creative and highly competitive direction; taking the preservation of heritage values ​​as the foundation and driving force for development; taking cultural development, building ecological civilization, saving resources and protecting the environment as the focus.

Ha Long Bay is a bridge in foreign relations between Quang Ninh, Vietnam and international friends and partners. (Source: Internet)

Mr. Vishal V. Sharma, Ambassador, Chairman of the World Heritage Committee, acknowledged Vietnam's efforts in protecting the heritage of Ha Long Bay. This success story is a model for other world heritages facing similar challenges. Ha Long Bay is not only a place of outstanding natural beauty but also a source of inspiration, a testament to the power of nature and profound cultural significance.

Over the past three decades, this iconic heritage site has connected communities around the world, reminding them of the importance of preserving heritage and world wonders for future generations.

Since 1996, there have been over 57 million visitors to the Bay, with entrance fees reaching over VND8,600 billion. Ha Long Bay has truly become a famous brand of tourism in Quang Ninh, Vietnam and the world. This is also a destination chosen by many domestic and international tourists.

Tourism products and services in Ha Long Bay are increasingly diverse and rich with 8 sightseeing itineraries, 5 clusters, and overnight accommodation locations.

Quang Ninh expands tourism space in the direction of developing regional products to increase connectivity in Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don and Co To, contributing to reducing tourism activities in the absolute protection area of ​​the heritage. The province also improves the quality of tourism services, develops and implements the code of conduct "Civilized tourism" and "Ha Long Smile".