Ha Long Bay has been recognised as a World Natural Heritage Site twice by UNESCO

The event will include arts performances highlighting the value of Ha Long Bay,one of Vietnam’s most famous attractions, and conclude with a fireworks show.

According to Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Vu Thi Thu Thuy,it was a major event with crucial importance to the development of Quang Ninh province in general and Ha Long city in particular.

Ha Long Bay was official inscribed on the world heritage list by UNESCO for itsoutstanding universal aesthetic value on December 17, 1994.

Six years later, in 2000, the landscape was honoured for a second time when itwas recognised by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site for its outstandinggeological and geomorphological value.

In 2009, it was classified as a special national monument by the then PrimeMinister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Surpassing over 261 famous wonders all over the world, Ha Long Bay was namedone of the seven new natural wonders of the world by the New 7 WondersFoundation.

Scientists have listed that on the islands of Ha Long, Bai Tu Long and Cat Ba,there are more than 500 species of vascular plants, 50 per cent of which havemedicinal value, 66 species of amphibians and reptiles, 77 species of birds and22 species of mammals.

In terms of coastal and marine ecosystems, scientists have estimated that thebays shelter more than 570 species of benthos, over 400 species of zooplankton,150 species of fish, nearly 150 types of algae and seagrass, and 19 species ofmangrove plants.

Over the past 20 years, Ha Long Bay has welcomed nearly 20 million domestic andinternational tourists, making it one of the major tourist centres in Vietnamand the region, while elevating Quang Ninh into an important strategic positionand contributing to the formation of a key economic triangle in the northernregion./. VNA