Quang Ninh, Hai Phong Strengthen Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago Heritage Governance

The northern Vietnamese provinces of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong are strengthening cooperation to enhance the governance and conservation of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area captivates visitors with its pristine beauty and legends passed down through generations. This intensified collaboration follows the recent inclusion of Soi Sim beach as the only Vietnamese beach in the 2026 Corona Beach 100, an annual global guide recognizing the world's top 100 beaches, compiled by the US-based Corona organisation in collaboration with international tourism experts. As Hai Phong celebrates the 70th anniversary of its Liberation Day on May 13, 2025, the port city marked a new milestone on May 30 with the official launch of a tourism–entertainment–culinary complex at the Cat Ba Central Bay, developed by Sun Group. This development signifies a key step in enhancing the region's tourism infrastructure. Regarding the utilization of cultural heritage, Dr. Nguyen Thu Hanh, Director of the Centre for Research and Development of Vietnam Cultural Industry (SDCI), noted that Vietnam has traditionally focused on preserving heritage rather than creating new value from it. She identified the weak connection between heritage and science, technology, education, design, communications, and the marketplace as the key obstacle limiting its economic, educational, and social impact despite the country's abundant cultural resources. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to Vietnam, confirmed that digital transformation in the heritage sector should adopt a people-centred approach, ensuring the meaningful participation of communities at every stage – from documentation and preservation to the management, use, and dissemination of cultural data. This highlights the importance of local community involvement in heritage conservation. Furthermore, artists and researchers voiced confidence that Vietnamese culture will undergo a sharp transformation and truly become both a spiritual foundation and a key driver of sustainable development in the new era, drawing on the guidance of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam. UNESCO also confirmed its readiness to work alongside the culture ministry throughout the planning and implementation of the "Photography City" project, helping to identify effective solutions to ensure its success. Tourism experts suggest that integrating local heritage and cultural identity into hotels, homestays, and other lodging facilities can enhance visitor experiences while creating greater value for local communities. The strengthened governance of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago region is a significant initiative for Vietnam as it seeks to protect its World Heritage sites and maximize their appeal while promoting sustainable tourism development. Source: VietnamPlus English