Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago to seek world heritage recognition
Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam has assigned relevant agencies to take necessary steps in submitting dossiers seeking
As an "earthen wonder built high in the sky", the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago has officially been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage.
Considered a precious gem in the northern sea of Vietnam, Cat Ba Island (Hai Phong) and Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh) are ideal destinations for those who love to explore. These two famous locations possess beautiful landscapes, pristine beaches, magnificent islands and caves. Therefore, Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba archipelago are always the top destinations in the Northern region and the whole country, attracting millions of visitors each year.
On September 16, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognized the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago complex as a World Natural Heritage. This is also the first inter-provincial world heritage site in our country. Surely, anyone admires the landscape here once will be amazed at its magical beauty.
Although belonging to two different provinces, the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago is a unified block in the Gulf of Tonkin region. This population together owns 1,133 limestone islands of various shapes and sizes (including 775 limestone islands in Ha Long Bay and 358 limestone islands in Cat Ba Archipelago). On those rocky islands are lush vegetation covered with sharp limestone peaks rising above the sea surface, along with features of karst terrain creating a system of magnificent domes, caves and stalactites.
This new natural heritage possesses magical beauty with sparkling jade water. The whole complex appears like "a chess board made of gems" on the sea. This place has lush, peaceful water and smooth, pristine white sand beaches.
Possessing the largest maritime forest in Vietnam with an area of more than 17,000 hectares and up to 7 marine and island ecosystems, the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago is considered a living "museum" of the Gulf of Tonkin region. Coming to Ha Long-Cat Ba, visitors can easily immerse themselves in the masterpieces that nature has bestowed on this place, where visitors can "go to the forest - to the sea" in just a few steps.
If UNESCO recognized Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh) as a World Natural Heritage twice (in 1994 and 2000) thanks to its unique landscape value, then Cat Ba archipelago, where many special values are concentrated, Special in ecology, geology - geomorphology, it is also famous for Cat Ba National Park, which UNESCO recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve (2004).
Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba archipelago are always attractive destinations for domestic and foreign tourists. Each time, the scenery changes dramatically, making this complex more special than ever, so when visiting the northern heritage region of Vietnam, tourists will often choose to go on a Ha Long tour. - Cat Ba.
The beauty of Ha Long Bay certainly "captures the hearts" of tourists at first sight. Seen from afar, Ha Long Bay under the hands of nature is as beautiful as a majestic, vast and peaceful watercolour painting. This place is like a wall on the sea with hundreds and thousands of boats leisurely sailing in the vast blue sea, adorning the interconnected rocky mountains.
Famous "addresses" of Ha Long Bay are Trong Mai Island, Dinh Huong Island, and Ti Top Island... The most unique features of the bay are more than 60 beautiful caves of Sung Sot, Thien Cung, Dau Go, and Bo Nau ...
In addition to exploring caves and enjoying cuisine with fresh seafood dishes, visitors can participate in many different experiences, such as swimming, diving, yachting, and kayaking. And sunrise at sea is one of the most beautiful moments visitors can hardly miss when arriving at the bay.
Coming to Cat Ba Island, tourists will enjoy an attractive resort location with a rich ecosystem. Nearly half of the islands in Cat Ba have beaches, attracting many tourists when summer comes to immerse themselves in beautiful beaches with fine white sand. International tourists especially love fun activities such as scuba diving and spending the night on the bay. Especially the experience of trekking through Cat Ba National Park, exploring Lan Ha Bay, Monkey Island, and many unique terrains, flora and fauna here.
It can be said that Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago is one of the ideal destinations that tourists cannot ignore. Certainly, with the title "natural heritage", this new complex promises to bring even more surprises soon.
