World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago: The first inter-provincial world heritage in Vietnam

The first inter-provincial world natural heritage in Vietnam

On September 16, 2023, the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially recognized Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage. This event makes Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago the first world heritage sites in Vietnam with borders located in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city.

With its spectacular natural beauty of outstanding global value, the end point in the karst evolution process, representing 7 adjacent ecosystems, the habitat of many rare animals, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is the first inter-regional heritage between two localities in Vietnam.

Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is located in the Northeast of Vietnam, known as the "pearl of the Gulf of Tonkin", majestic mountains and forests and vast islands. The natural areas have a core area of 65,650 hectares, a buffer zone of 34,140 hectares. Ha Long Bay belongs to Quang Ninh province and Cat Ba Archipelago belongs to Hai Phong city. This place owns many heritages such as Ha Long Bay Special National Monument; Cat Ba Archipelago Special National Monument; Cat Ba National Park; Lan Ha Bay; Marine Protected Area; Cat Ba Archipelago World Biosphere Reserve; Ha Long Bay World Natural Heritage (in 1994 and 2000).

Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is also the habitat of many rare species of animals and plants. Possessing the largest marine forest in Vietnam, with an area of over 17,000 hectares and diverse ecosystems, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is home to 4,910 species of terrestrial and marine animals and plants. Of these, 198 species are on the IUCN Red List, 51 are endemic.

With an area of approximately 1,045.2 hectares of primary forest on Cat Ba Island, this is one of the important factors that contribute to the ecological value and biodiversity of the heritage. In particular, Cat Ba Island is the only place where the Cat Ba langur lives. The Cat Ba langur is a rare species, on the list of animals at the highest risk of extinction and is listed in the World Red Book. To date, there are about 70 individuals, distributed only in Cat Ba.

Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago includes Ha Long Bay in Ha Long City (Quang Ninh Province) recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1994 and 2000, with a world heritage area of 43,400 hectares with 775 islands. Cat Ba Archipelago in Cat Hai District (Hai Phong City) includes 367 islands located on an area of about 300 km2, in the middle of the Gulf of Tonkin. Here is Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, Cat Ba National Park, with a world heritage area of 22,250 hectares with 358 islands, of which Cat Ba Island (also known as Pearl Island) is the most important area of Cat Hai District.

Cat Ba Island is the largest island, with an area of 153 km2, the third largest island in Vietnam, after Phu Quoc and Cai Bau, with the highest mountain peak (up to 331 m). This is a submerged tropical karst terrain area, with a unique landscape similar to Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh). The islands are single or clustered karst peaks or towers, with steep cliffs emerging from the clear blue sea. On Cat Ba Island, there are many beautiful caves, karst valleys such as Trung Trang, Hung Son, Gia Luan, Tai Lai (now called Viet Hai) ...

According to UNESCO, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is considered a geological museum, containing heritages with outstanding global values, witnessing characteristic changes in the history of the earth's development.

Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is an excellent example of mature karst in humid tropical conditions. The outstanding value of this heritage site is the submerged karst limestone terrain with numerous majestic limestone towers and the characteristics of coastal erosion such as domes and caves, creating a very interesting natural landscape.

This place is also one of the most important areas in the world for the Phong Linh (tower) and Phong Tung (cone) karst topography. One of the characteristics of the Phong Tung karst topography is the large closed lakes, submerged lakes, some of which only appear at high tide. Caves are also one of the outstanding geological features of the Heritage Site with three main types of caves: ancient underground caves, ancient karst caves and frog-jaw caves. This is also an area that fully demonstrates the karst formation processes on a large scale and demonstrates a long period of geological evolution.

Preserve and promote heritage values

The recognition of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago as the first inter-provincial heritage of Vietnam comes from the unique natural landscape values and geological characteristics of this place. There are more than 1,130 limestone islands, with various shapes and sizes, and rich vegetation on the water surface, creating a "beautiful landscape" picture.

Cat Ba archipelago belongs to Cat Hai district (Hai Phong city), including 367 islands located on an area of about 300 km2, in the middle of Bac Bo Gulf. Here is Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, Cat Ba National Park, with a world heritage area of 22,250 ha with 358 islands.

Mr. Le Khac Nam, Vice Chairman of Hai Phong City People's Committee, said that the nomination of Cat Ba Archipelago as a world natural heritage was initiated in 2010, through many meetings and faced extremely strict assessments. The event of UNESCO officially recognizing Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago as a world natural heritage is more special because this is the first heritage site jointly managed by two provinces and cities.

“For Hai Phong in particular, this is an opportunity to establish an international tourism brand, in line with the spirit of the three economic pillars (high-tech industry; seaport - logistics; tourism - trade) in the Resolution of the 16th City Party Congress and Resolution 45 of the Politburo on building and developing Hai Phong City to 2030, vision 2045. Cat Ba is one of the focuses for developing tourism infrastructure, high-class resorts, international scale and forming typical tourism products of the City associated with the sea and islands, historical and cultural relics…”, Mr. Nam emphasized.

Not only known as a port city, Hai Phong is also a city with a long history and cultural depth, with 555 ranked relics and extremely valuable tangible and intangible cultural heritages.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Hai Phong, the fact that Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago has become an inter-provincial World Heritage Site has set an important task in the cooperation between Hai Phong and Quang Ninh in preserving and promoting the value of the heritage. The two provinces and cities should work together more closely, combining management, protection, exploitation and development of the value of the World Natural Heritage effectively, while ensuring conservation and not damaging the natural landscape. More importantly, it is necessary to fully and accurately implement the provisions of the International Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

As a locality with heritage, Mr. Bui Tuan Manh, Chairman of Cat Hai District People's Committee said: "In recent times, the City and Cat Hai District have been persistent and determined in implementing the arrangement, reduction and standardization of aquaculture rafts and tourist rafts on the bay. This not only ensures people's livelihoods, but also preserves, conserves, embellishes the landscape, natural environment and develops tourism in a sustainable manner."

With its beautiful natural scenery and diverse ecosystem, Cat Ba is considered a favorite destination for tourists all year round. This is also a favorable condition for Cat Ba to develop resort tourism. Currently, Cat Ba has high-class resorts such as Mgallery, Flamingo Cat Ba, along with hundreds of hotels in the town center; homestays in communes on the island help tourists immerse themselves in the community ecotourism space, experience the peace, romance and cultural activities of the indigenous people.

In addition, when coming to Cat Ba, visitors can participate in many fun, entertaining, exploring and experiencing activities, such as taking a boat to visit the bay, visiting a fishing village on the sea, swimming, watching the sunrise or sunset on the sea, climbing mountains, kayaking, diving to see corals, cycling around Cat Ba town. Go to the communes on the island to experience with the islanders or visit Cat Ba National Park, conquer Ngu Lam peak or go fishing, squid fishing at sea...

Previously, Cat Ba made its mark and increased its attractiveness on the world tourism map when it was ranked second in the Top 10 most spectacular beaches in Asia by Microsoft's travel site.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/di-san-thien-nhien-the-gioi-vinh-ha-long---quan-dao-cat-ba-di-san-the-gioi-lien-tinh-dau-tien-o-viet-nam-d214812.html