The designation of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage site has not only enhanced the inherent value of the site itself but also created an opportunity for Vietnam to strengthen conservation efforts for its heritage sites.
Seizing Development Opportunities
In September 2023, at its 45th session, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the nomination and recognized the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage site. This recognition has further expanded the development corridor between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong in terms of economic, political, cultural, and social cooperation. This development is particularly significant as both localities are involved in the Eastern Expressway Economic Corridor, an initiative spearheaded by VCCI and four provinces and cities: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, and Hung Yen, which was signed in July 2022. Consequently, the region has gained more favorable conditions to promote sustainable development and enable the tourism industry to seize new opportunities in the coming period.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee, for nearly 30 years since it was first recognized as a World Natural Heritage site, Quang Ninh has always regarded Ha Long Bay as a priceless natural gift and a vital driving force for tourism development and economic transformation. As a result, the province has consistently prioritized the sustainable exploitation and conservation of the heritage.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Cat Hai District People’s Committee in Hai Phong City, emphasized that Cat Ba’s tourism is primarily ecological, focusing on forests, mountains, and islands. The recognition of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Heritage site provides an exceptional opportunity for Cat Ba’s tourism, enhancing its global image as a destination for eco-tourism that prioritizes conservation and highlights the area’s unique values.
Building a Robust Management Framework
Characterized by the harmonious blend of forests and sea, the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago area stands out in Asia for its extraordinary biodiversity. It boasts seven adjacent and interconnected ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, cave ecosystems, mangrove forests, tidal flats, coral reefs, soft-bottom habitats, and saltwater lakes. These ecosystems represent ongoing ecological and biological processes and illustrate the rich diversity of plant and animal communities.
The Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago also harbors habitats for many rare plant and animal species. With over 17,000 hectares of coastal forest and an extensive array of ecosystems, the heritage site is home to 4,910 terrestrial and marine species, including 198 species listed in the IUCN Red List and 51 endemic species. Notably, the 1,045.2 hectares of primary forest on Cat Ba Island play a crucial role in the ecological and biological diversity of the site. The critically endangered Cat Ba langur is one of the world’s most threatened primates and is listed in the global Red Book.
As Vietnam’s first inter-provincial World Natural Heritage site, the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago requires close collaboration between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong for its protection and sustainable management.
The two provinces have been working together to promote the site through websites and social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and dedicated fan pages. Notably, in the past year, footage of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Natural Heritage site has been featured on CNN, reaching billions of viewers worldwide and hundreds of radio and television stations across the globe. This effort has helped to amplify the site’s global significance. The two provinces have also conducted 20 joint periodic monitoring activities to assess the conservation status of the site.
Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the Hai Phong Department of Culture and Sports, shared: “The recognition of the Cat Ba Archipelago alongside Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage site is a great honor for the people of Hai Phong. We plan to develop a comprehensive tourism development strategy, starting with a well-crafted communication plan to promote the unique values of Cat Ba Archipelago. In addition to its exceptional ecosystems, Cat Ba also preserves cultural and historical heritage dating back thousands of years. It is a great honor that the first footage of the Cat Ba Archipelago broadcast on CNN has been warmly received by global audiences who love nature and exploration. With a robust communication strategy, I believe that the beautiful images of Cat Ba will reach even more people worldwide.”
She added that Hai Phong and Quang Ninh will continue to work closely through signed agreements to jointly manage the heritage site. This level of collaboration is unprecedented in Vietnam, and the two localities have been regularly exchanging information to ensure that the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago conveys unified, authentic, and captivating messages to visitors. Ultimately, this will allow visitors to fully appreciate the unique values of this inter-provincial World Natural Heritage site.
Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, noted that in 2025, the two sides will continue to closely coordinate with relevant agencies to advise the local governments on managing, protecting, and sustainably promoting the site. They also plan to develop inter-provincial heritage management policies and implement the recommendations of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee from its 45th (2023) and 46th (2024) sessions.