On the afternoon of September 28, Mr. Bernard Weber, Chairman of New Open World (NOW) and Mr. Jean Paul De la Fuente, Director of NOW, held a press meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism. They visited Vietnam to inspect Ha Long Bay at the invitation of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh.
For Mr. Bernard Weber, this is the first time he has visited Vietnam and Ha Long Bay while Mr. Jean Paul De la Fuente is visiting for the second time.
During the meeting, Mr. Bernard Weber handed over the certificate allowing Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province to enter the final round of the selection programme of the New 7 Wonders, launched by the organisation to the representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh said that the visit of the two NOW leaders holds very important significance for Ha Long Bay, helping improve the understanding of the organisation about the Bay and contributing to promoting and attracting votes for the area on a global scale, especially during the short period before the results are announced.
Talking with reporters, Mr. Bernard Weber confirmed that coming to Vietnam for the first time was a new but wonderful experience. However, the name of Vietnam has been so familiar to him for many years, as he, together with millions of other peace-lovers, took to the streets to protest against the war in Vietnam.
Mr. Bernard Weber affirmed that Ha Long Bay – which has been twice recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage and is now one of 28 beauty spots entering the final round of voting for the new seven wonders – is a very special area and a wonderful symbol which is unique across the globe.
Mr. Weber was born in Switzerland so the appearance of the mountains and the caves on the sea in Ha Long Bay, creating a harmony between people and nature, make him particularly interested in the area.
"Ha Long Bay is a tranquil bay and it is strictly protected by people. Ha Long Bay is a source of inspiration, bringing endless energy for each visitor to visit," he said.
Evaluating Vietnam's efforts in the race to achieve seven wonders of the world status, Mr. Bernard Weber said the government and people of Vietnam have made very positive actions in voting for Ha Long Bay.
Mr. Weber also expressed his desire that Ha Long Bay will receive a high number of votes to become one of the natural wonders of the world.
Mr. Jean Paul De la Fuente, Director of NOW, said the poll results of the new seven wonders of the world are expected to be announced on November 11 2011. NOW will not announce the new seven wonders in chronological order – as each wonder will be of equal value.
The announcing ceremony will be highly anticipated around the world. New seven natural wonders of the world will bring many benefits to the countries owning them, especially in tourism.
According to the information from the Department for International Cooperation and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ha Long Bay has always been a candidate with a high rate of votes, especially on the Internet.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is working with the Quang Ninh provincial People's Committee to propose the Ministry of Information and Communications to set up a system to vote for Ha Long Bay through mobile phone messages (SMS) in order to increase the number of votes for Ha Long Bay.
CPV
Vietnamese
