Halong Bay plans to be World Heritage site for 3rd time
For the third time in more than a decade, Vietnamese authorities will ask to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to recognize Halong Bay as a World Heritage site.
In the past, UNESCO has recognized Halong Bay as a World Heritage site twice: in 1994 and 2000. Thanh Nien recently interviewed Nguyen Van Tuan, director of Quang Ninh province’s Department of Tourism cum chief of the Halong Bay management board.
Why is it possible for Halong Bay to be recognized as a World Heritage site for the third time?
Nguyen Van Tuan: In 1994, UNESCO recognized Halong Bay as a World Heritage site because of its outstanding natural beauty in line with the third article of the World Heritage Convention. In 2000, UNESCO once again recognized Halong Bay as a World Heritage site because of its interesting geology and geomorphology in accordance with the convention’s first article.
This time, international experts claim that Halong Bay has a unique ecological system with the tropical forest on Limestone Mountain. In addition, they have highly praised the preservation of cultural aspects of the Vietnamese ancient people from 20,000 years ago. The descendants of the Vietnamese ancient people have managed to build and maintain a residential community in the bay with their unique customs, behavioral lifestyles and social structure intact. Not many places in the world can witness such cultural characteristics.
What should we do to make the proposal a success the third time?
It depends on negotiations between Vietnam and UNESCO. Actually, we were successful with our proposal in 2000 when I was chief of the Halong Bay management board.
Right now, we need to investigate and collect proof that Halong Bay has unique cultural values and then submit our documents to UNESCO.
UNESCO will examine the documents and open a conference to consider Vietnam’s proposal. We are now in the stages of initial investigation.
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Quang Ninh province has gained much experience in this area, and I believe that Halong Bay will become a World Heritage site for the third time. However, success will depend on our efforts. We will propose that UNESCO recognize an additional part of Halong Bay in 2006.
Could you please provide more information about this proposal?
According to the World Heritage profile, Halong Bay is located on an area of 434 km2, which includes 788 islands and islets, 410 of which have names. If our proposal is accepted, the bay’s area may be extended to up to 1200 km2.
With the new proposal, the bay would include a large part of Bai Tu Long Bay situated west of Halong Bay. Bai Tu Long Bay has similar outstanding values like Halong Bay with its beautiful landscapes and geological characteristics.
I think the proposal for extension of the bay is feasible as long as we have scientific proof of this detail and our efforts to preserve the area are clear. If there are no delays, we could have this proposal completed this year.
What are the challenges for this proposal, and what are the benefits if the proposal is accepted?
There are still some challenges, but there are some great benefits if the proposal is accepted. Halong Bay will become more famous in the world, and it would be protected at international standards. We could also open more tours to the bay and tourists may want to stay longer during their holidays or return for another visit.
Reported by Luu Quang Pho – Translated by Quynh Nhu
