Hạ Long Bay has been recognised as a World Natural Heritage Site twice by UNESCO. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

QUẢNG NINH — A ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hạ Long Bay being recognised as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO for a second time will take place at Sun Carnival Plaza Square, Hạ Long City in the northern province of Quảng Ninh on January 12.

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

According to vice chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee, Vũ Thị Thu Thủy, it was a major event with crucial importance to the development of Quảng Ninh Province in general and Hạ Long City in particular.

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

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

In 2009, it was classified as a special national monument by the then Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng.

Surpassing over 261 famous wonders all over the world, Hạ Long Bay was named one of the seven new natural wonders of the world by the New 7 Wonders Foundation. 

Scientists have listed that on the islands of Hạ Long, Bái Tử Long and Cát Bà, there are more than 500 species of vascular plants, 50 per cent of which have medicinal value,  66 species of amphibians and reptiles, 77 species of birds and 22 species of mammals.

In terms of coastal and marine ecosystems, scientists have estimated that the bays 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 of mangrove plants.

Over the past 20 years, Hạ Long Bay has welcomed nearly 20 million domestic and international tourist, making it one of the major tourist centres in Việt Nam and the region, while elevating Quảng Ninh into an important strategic position and contributing to the formation of a key economic triangle in the northern region. — VNS