Ha Long Bay not listed among world heritage in danger: Department
The Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism confirmed on December 24 that Ha Long Bay is not among the 56 entries in the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The natural scenery of Ha Long Bay attracts many tourists to visit and explore. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) ♔- The Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism confirmed on December 24 that Ha Long Bay is not among the 56 entries in the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Mentioning a report by Reuters on December 20 that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will send a team of experts to conduct a field survey at Ha Long Bay to bolster conservation efforts, the department said the move is part of the outcomes of discussions between Vietnam, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee.
At the session, the committee reviewed the conservation status of 123 world heritage sites, including 56 classified as "in danger." To date, none of Vietnam's World Heritage Sites have been inscribed in the World Heritage in Danger list, the department noted.
Also at the session, UNESCO issued eight key recommendations to enhance conservation of the Ha Long Bay–Cat Ba Archipelago. In the first four recommendations, the organisation affirmed it had reviewed and approved Vietnam's reports on the conservation and management of the Ha Long Bay–Cat Ba Archipelago, including the conservation status and the establishment of an effective coordinating mechanism between Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong City for the site's management.
In the fifth recommendation, the organisation noted that all projects within the heritage protection zone must undergo thorough impact assessments in line with the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Construction projects, in particular, must comply with UNESCO’s guidelines to preserve the site’s Outstanding Universal Value.
In the sixth recommendation, UNESCO appreciated Quang Ninh's concerted measures to address the issue of waste and pollution, but asked for more attention to the control of water pollution.
Seventh, UNESCO required Vietnam to submit detailed zoning maps for the expanded Ha Long Bay–Cat Ba Archipelago site to the World Heritage Council.
In the eighth recommendation, UNESCO suggested organising a monitoring team of UNESCO to assess overall conservation status at the site, with a focus on governance and management effectiveness.
The Department of Cultural Heritage said that during the 46th session, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, praised Vietnam as a model of cooperation with UNESCO and its advisory bodies. He commended Vietnam’s dedication to researching the cultural significance of Ha Long Bay–Cat Ba Archipelago, which could lead to its designation as a site meeting cultural criteria. UNESCO also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Vietnam in preserving its heritage sites and advancing new nominations for World Heritage status./.
December 17, 2024 marks Ha Long Bay’s significant milestone of 30 years since its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over the years, the bay's breath-taking beauty has always been a pride for both Vietnam and the northern province of Quang Ninh, solidifying its reputation as one of the most captivating destinations on the planet.
The success story in preserving and promoting the values of world natural heritage Ha Long Bay in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh is a model for other world heritage sites that face similar challenges to learn, said Vishal V. Sharma, Ambassador and Chair of the 46th World Heritage Committee.
Quang Ninh is blessed with a vast and stunning coastal and island region, captivating millions of visitors each year. As part of its commitment to developing tourism in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh is forging connections between this World Natural Heritage site, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Cat Ba Island (Hai Phong) to enrich the tourism experience and expand its allure.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
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