COUNTRY: Viet Nam

NAME: Ha Long Bay

IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY: Unassigned

Natural World Heritage Site - Criterion III

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCE: 4.10.04 (Thailandian Monsoon Forest)

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: A group of offshore islands, some 164km south-east of Hanoi, in Tonkin Gulf. 106°58'-107°22'E, 20°45'-20°56'N

DATE AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT: 28 April 1962. Established as a historical and cultural relict and national scenic spot under Decision No. 313/VH VP, issued by the Minister of Culture. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994.

AREA: 150,000ha

LAND TENURE: Government

ALTITUDE: Sea-level to 100-200m

PHYSICAL FEATURES: Ha Long is a large bay with a multitude of limestone rocks emerging from the Hon Gai sea, schistic islands from the Cam Pha sea and a limited number of earth islands formed from decayed lateritic mountains. In total, there are 1,600 islands and islets, of which 1,000 have been named. Larger islands, rising to 100-200m, are found in the south, with smaller islets of only 5-10m height interspersed. To the east of the Bay medium size islands feature almost vertical slopes. Numerous caves and grottoes are found, with stalactites and stalagmites. The earth islands are inhabited.

CLIMATE: No specific information available

VEGETATION: There is a diverse flora throughout Ha Long, and primary tropical forest is found, mostly on the islands of Ba Mun and Cat Ba.

FAUNA: Results from preliminary surveys indicate the presence of about 1,000 fish species. Mammals, reptiles and birds are found on the islands, especially the earth type.

CULTURAL HERITAGE: Numerous archaeological sites have been found and at Giap Khau (Hon Gai) there is evidence to suggest occupation by the Hoa Binh Culture, some 10,000 years ago present. Archaeological sites at Tuan Chau, Ngoc Vung, Cai Dam, Dong Naim and Cat have revealed so many artifacts that they have been grouped under the term 'Ha Long Culture', typical of the northeastern coast of Viet Nam in the Neolithic Age.During prehistoric times, Ha Long was a significant port, located on the trade routes between China, Japan, and other countries in South East Asia.

LOCAL HUMAN POPULATION: An unspecified population makes its living in and around Ha Long, which is a major centre for fishing, agriculture and maritime transport. Steps have been taken to open new ports, factories and housing on the shore in line with a long -term economic development programme.

VISITORS AND VISITOR FACILITIES: Ha Long is extremely popular with both Vietnamese and international tourists. During 1990-1991, some one million visitors came to the Bay.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES: No information

CONSERVATION VALUE: The principal conservation values appear to be scenic, landscape values; geological interest; biological diversity, especially in marine species; and archaeological remains.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT: The Ministry of Culture, Information and Sports is responsible for the overall management of Ha Long, although the People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province has the immediate responsibility for the administration and management of territory within its jurisdiction. Despite development in the region, it appears that Ha Long itself will be protected as a major tourist and cultural centre.

MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS: There are two potential threats to the site. First, a new port is to be developed in the Bay that could route larger transport ships through the site. Second, a Singapore company has received a license to provide a large floating hotel in the site which will have further impacts on the already heavy tourist pressures on the Bay (Anon, 1995). The license for the floating hotel was withdrawn in 1997.

BUDGET: The national government provides a budget to the provincial People's Committee; more specific data are not available.

LOCAL ADDRESSES: Ministry of Culture, Information and Sport, 51-53 Ngo Quyen Street, Hanoi

- Anon. (1992). Nomination form of Ha Long - Vietnam. Minister of Culture, Information and Sports. 6 pp. Unpublished.

- Anon. (1995). Articles in the Viet Nam Economic News and Viet Nam News (19 October).

DATE: February 1993, January 1996, December 1998, 2000