Halong Bay

The northeastern province of Quang Ninh has taken effective measures to protect and develop the value of Halong Bay, a wonder of nature, which has been recognised as the world natural and geographical heritage site by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Halong Bay (Bay of the Descending Dragon), around 165km from Hanoi, covers more than 1,550km² with 1,969 islands, including a protected area covering more than 430km² dotted with 755 limestone and schist islands believed to be between 250 and 280 million years old.

The Halong Bay Management Board has worked out and implemented plans to protect and develop the heritage site. It has helped central government and local authorities and relevant agencies issue policies on environmental and ecological protection and tourist activity control in the area and a plan on protection of Halong Bay through 2020.

The board has also cooperated with domestic and foreign scientific establishments and organisations to conduct surveys of sea birds, karst islands, sea environments for restoration of coral reefs, and pollution in the bay.

A project on the Halong Ecological Museum with Cua Van floating cultural centre as the focus, has been carried out. The museum preserves nearly 100 items and sets of items, 18 sources of intangible culture, about 100 scientific reports and five documentary films of the Cua Van fishing village's traditions and festive activities.

(Source: VNA)