Dramatic and Impressive Ha Long Bay

11:34:52 PM | 5/7/2012

Vietnam's Ha Long Bay has been named in the list of the world's 7 new wonders of nature. Mr Bernard Weber, Chairman of the New7Wonders has just presented the symbol of new world natural wonder to Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Chairman of Quang Ninh province. On the accasion, Vietnam Business Forum conducted a short interview with Mr Bernard Weber. Huyen-Ha report.
What is your impression about Ha Long bay of Vietnam?
I traveled with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh to Ha Long bay by helicopter. We had a fantastic view from the sky. I’ve never seen the Ocean being so calm like a mirror, and have these dramatic rocks raise outta that mirror-like water. It’s a contrast that is unique in the world. I feel very dramatic and very impressive. to Ha Long bay by helicopter. We had a fantastic view from the sky. I’ve never seen the Ocean being so calm like a mirror, and have these dramatic rocks raise outta that mirror-like water. It’s a contrast that is unique in the world. I feel very dramatic and very impressive.
According to the list of the World's 7 Natural Wonders, Halong Long Bay is the second position after the Amazon forest. What is the meaning of this position?
Actually, this is a list on alphabetic order, all of seven new wonders are equal status. So there’s not number one, number two, it’s just seven wonders.
 
What is the benefit of Ha Long Bay in particular and Vietnam in general as one of world’s seven wonders?
First of all, this is the global campaign, global movement, so Vietnam is part of the global world. Secondly, obviously there are benefits in terms of brand, in terms of tourism income, in terms of advertising. Tourism income was calculated by different, independent statistics that they are between US$1-1.6 billion a wonder in terms of all these features like the branding and tourism income.
 
What is your opinion about the tourism development with the conservation and restoration relics?
Of course, the advantage of the site is quite large, so Ha Long bay is not facing the same problem like some other wonders of nature. But I still think that the water needs to be preserved and hopefully the spotlight. Local government will urge the authorities to be more careful in the plan in the future.
 
Interestingly, I have read a very big article in Europe recently, showing that the life on water in Ha Long bay is one of the possible future ways of living if the sea level is raised. So Ha Long Bay with its human life may be able to be even contributing to solutions for the future of the world.
 
Halong Bay is the world's natural wonders and is the most attractive tourist destination of Vietnam. The bay has twice been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Area for its exceptional scenic beauty and outstanding geological and geomorphic values. The bay has a 120 kilometres of coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometres in size with 1,969 islets. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different kinds of mollusks. Another specific feature of Halong Bay is the abundance of lakes inside the limestone islands.