Vietnam Insider

The Head of Halong Bay Management Board has confirmed that Halong Bay has never been placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Preserving and developing Ha Long’s sustainable areas plays an important role in maintaining its natural and cultural values. Photo: Pham Ha.

During a press conference on December 24, Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of Halong Bay Management Board, stated: “There is no truth to the claim that UNESCO is considering removing Halong Bay from the list of World Natural Heritage Sites.”

For the past three decades, Quang Ninh Province has made continuous efforts, employing effective measures to preserve, maintain, and promote the values ​​of the World Heritage Site. These efforts comply fully with the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. These achievements have been recognized by central government ministries, UNESCO agencies, international experts, organizations, and friends from around the world.

Speaking with Tri Thuc – Znews, Mr. Cuong explained that the upcoming monitoring mission by the World Heritage Center and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is being conducted at Vietnam’s invitation, following recommendations from UNESCO. The mission is scheduled for March 2025 and will evaluate the conservation status of Halong Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage Site as part of its periodic monitoring.

Previously, Vietnam submitted a report on the impact of eight projects in the buffer zone of Halong Bay, and UNESCO requested clarification on which projects are operational and which are under development. The management board and relevant parties are preparing the necessary report. “The upcoming monitoring team will also assess this issue,” Mr. Cuong added.

Mr. Also emphasized that reactive monitoring missions are standard practice by the World Heritage Center in all countries. These missions involve evaluations by stakeholders, including management agencies, tourists, experts, and scientists, to assess the conservation status of World Heritage Sites and determine if they belong on the World Heritage in Danger list. He firmly stated that Halong Bay has never been included in this danger list.

The Halong Bay Management Board is working closely with the Secretariat of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO to update information and advise the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee. They are also coordinated with Hai Phong City to ensure a respectful and effective reception for the monitoring mission, aiming for the best possible guidance on the sustainable management, protection, and promotion of Halong Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage Site.

Earlier, Reuters reported that “UNESCO will deploy a team of experts to evaluate potential risks to Halong Bay’s preservation in Vietnam due to concerns about development projects that could threaten the conservation of the World Natural Heritage Site.” Social media also buzzed with claims that “UNESCO is considering removing Halong Bay from the World Heritage List.” This misleading information quickly garnered public attention and concern.

@Znews

Da Nang proudly secured the third spot on Time Out magazine’s list of the 8 Must-Visit Destinations in Asia for 2025.

The UK-based publication promotes the coastal Vietnamese city for its lack of overcrowding, diverse recreational activities, and vibrant culinary experiences, meeting key selection criteria.

Photo: Agoda

“Da Nang has long been a favorite beach destination for domestic tourists. Famous for its charm, this coastal gem is rapidly growing, catching up with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with an emerging array of restaurants and bars,” emphasized Liv Kelly, editor at Time Out.

In August, The Telegraph also named Da Nang’s My Khe Beach and Non Nuoc Beach among the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world.

Time Out’s top 8 must-visit destinations in Asia for 2025 are: Sumba (Indonesia), Siargao (Philippines), Da Nang (Vietnam), Tainan (China), Ipoh (Malaysia), Osaka (Japan), Nan (Thailand), Lijiang (China).

The list was curated based on criteria such as resistance to overtourism, accessibility, and preserving natural resources.

@Vietnamnet

To date, Phu Yen has 113 officially recognized historical, cultural, and scenic sites, including three National Special Monuments: Ganh Da Dia Scenic Site, Nhan Tower Architectural Site, and Vung Ro Wharf Historical Site.

Recently, Phu Yen Province inaugurated the Memorial House of the Provincial Armed Forces Formation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam People’s Army and National Defense Day. On this occasion, the Provincial Military Command and Tuy An District received the Certificate of Provincial Monument Ranking for the Historical Site where the Provincial Armed Forces were formed.

In addition to provincial- and national-level monuments, Phu Yen now boasts three National Special Monuments, inspiring a new tourism slogan for the province: “One Destination, Three National Special Monuments.”

Earlier, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Vung Ro Wharf receiving the first cargo shipment from the legendary “No Number” Ship 41 (November 28, 1964 – November 28, 2024), the Prime Minister signed the recognition of Vung Ro Wharf as a National Special Monument.

Phu Yen currently has three special national relics, which are the scenic Ganh Da Dia, the architectural relic of Thap Nhan and the historical relic of Ben Vung Ro. In the photo is the scenic Ganh Da Dia. Photo: TL

As a result, Phu Yen now holds 113 recognized monuments and scenic sites, including three National Special Monuments: Ganh Da Dia Scenic Site, Nhan Tower Architectural Site, and Vung Ro Wharf Historical Site; 21 national-level monuments; and 90 provincial-level monuments of various categories, such as historical sites, architectural-artistic sites, archaeological sites, and scenic sites. These are valuable resources contributing to Phu Yen’s sustainable and harmonious socio-economic development.

According to data from the Phu Yen Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, as of December 2024, the province has 480 tourist accommodation facilities, including one 5-star hotel, one 4-star hotel, five 3-star hotels, four 2 -star hotels, 30 1-star hotels, 80 standard hotels, 90 guesthouses, and 31 homestays meet the minimum requirements for tourism accommodation business. Some other accommodation facilities are in the process of registration for classification evaluation.

The total number of tourist rooms currently stands at approximately 7,980, with about 670 rooms meeting 3- to 5-star standards. The tourism sector employs around 7,100 direct workers and 14,200 indirect workers.

Nhan Tower architectural relic. Photo: Nguyen Anh Dat

In 2024, the total number of tourists visiting Phu Yen is estimated at 4 million, achieving 117.6% of the annual plan and increasing by 25% compared to the previous year. Among these, international visitors are estimated at 30,000, reaching 150% of the annual plan and increasing by 51.9% year-over-year. Total tourism revenue is estimated at VND 8 trillion, achieving 110% of the annual plan and increasing by 62.7% compared to the same period last year.

The Phu Yen Provincial Party Committee is directing various sectors and localities to implement its action program to develop tourism as a key economic sector. Priority is given to upgrading historical and cultural monuments to preserve their original values ​​and facilitate tourist visits.

Additionally, the province is focusing on developing tourism products linked to cultural heritage, particularly historical tours, nature exploration, and culinary experiences, to create unique offerings that attract visitors.

@SGtiepthi

“Vinh Hy tourism” has emerged as the most-searched domestic travel keyword, according to Google’s 2024 trends in highlighted searches.

Vinh Hy Bay is located on the coast of Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, approximately 40 km northeast of the city center of Phan Rang – Thap Cham.

Situated in a unique “one sea, three forests” setting, Vinh Hy boasts calm waters and a mild, pleasant climate. Visitors to the bay are greeted with a serene and picturesque environment.

The best time for tourism activities in Vinh Hy is from February to October, thanks to favorable weather conditions.

A key attraction in the area is Nui Chua National Park, where tourists can explore pristine wilderness featuring a variety of rare plants and animal species.

Vinh Hy Bay is home to an exceptionally rich ecosystem, with more than 300 species of hard and soft coral, including 50 newly discovered species in Vietnam. Many visitors have dubbed Vinh Hy Bay one of the best coral viewing spots in the country.

The coral reefs are located just 2–4 meters below the surface, making it convenient for visitors to snorkel and admire them.

Beyond sightseeing and photography, tourists can enjoy a wide range of activities, such as drifting on the calm sea, strolling along soft sandy beaches, fishing, night squid fishing, or indulging in the area’s signature seafood dishes like lobster, sea urchin, cobia, spotted Babylon, and pearl shellfish.

Thanks to its diverse attractions and well-organized tourism activities, Ninh Hai District welcomed over 2.7 million visitors this year, including more than 44,000 international tourists. This contributed an estimated revenue revenue of over VND 1.8 trillion.

@vtv.vn