EXPLORE VIETNAM’S HA LONG BAY WORLD HERITAGE SITE with this slideshow, check the location map and get all the facts and information below.
For slideshow description see right or scroll down (mobile). Click to view slideshow
Location and Values: Ha Long Bay is located in the northeast of Vietnam 165 km from Ha Noi. It is a spectacular seascape with over 1600 limestone islands, islets and pillars rising from the sea, in an endless variety of shapes and sizes. It represents the most extensive and best known example of marine-invaded tower karst in the world and forms part of the huge karst area (some 500,000 km2) that covers much of southern China, Vietnam and the rest of Indochina.
Conservation Status and Prospects. According to IUCN’s recent Conservation Outlook Assessment the conservation status of Ha Long Bay is ‘good with some concerns’. The IUCN report notes that ‘the world heritage values relate to the property’s extraordinary karst features and exceptional scenic beauty (vii) as well as its extensive representation of karst formation processes (viii). These values remain largely intact due to their very nature and property’s natural defenses. High levels of tourism and continued growth in visitor numbers represent the most significant threat to Ha Long Bay unless it is carefully planned and managed for in a way that is integrated with Provincial and Local development. Improvements to management and a willingness to address issues raised by the Committee in decisions and recommendations are noted. Management capacity has recently improved to keep better pace with the rapid growth in tourism numbers.’
Links:
Google Earth
Official UNESCO Site Details
IUCN Conservation Outlook
UNEP-WCMC Site Description
Slideshow description
The photos in this slideshow provide an overview of the scenery and karst features of Ha Long Bay, as viewed from a ‘regular’ tourist perspective. This is understandably one of the ‘must-see’ sites of South-East Asia which attracts correspondingly large numbers of visitors, boats and facilities.
This page of the website is still under development and a more detailed description of the various aspects of the site will be included in due course – so please come back again soon!
Factfile
Website Category: Caves & Karst
Area: 1,500 km2
Inscribed: 1994 (Extension 2000)
Criteria:
- Outstanding natural beauty (vii);
- Geological features (viii);
