Dossiers of expanded Ha Long Bay compiled to apply for UNESCO title
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) held the fourth meeting in the northern port city of Hai Phong on May 5 to update the progress of drafting dossiers re-applying for UNESCO’s recognition of Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh with an extended area to Cat Ba archipelago of Hai Phong as World Natural Heritage site.
Hai Phong (VNA) – The International Union forConservation of Nature (IUCN) held the fourth meeting in the northern port cityof Hai Phong on May 5 to update the progress of drafting dossiers re-applyingfor UNESCO’s recognition of Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh with an extended area toCat Ba archipelago of Hai Phong as World Natural Heritage site.
The meeting, held within the Ha Long-Cat Ba Alliance Initiativefunded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), also discussedmeasures to strengthen the management and protection of environment in the sitein the new period.
Earlier in January, the Ministry of Culture, Sports andTourism submitted information of the expanded site to the UNESCO’S WorldHeritage Centre, asking for the addition of the site to the list of planned heritagesites.
The People’s Committee of Hai Phong is also scheduled to submita draft application to the ministry in September this year. Final dossiers areexpected to be submitted to the UNESCO in February 1, 2018.
The second phase of the Ha Long-Cat Ba Alliance Initiativein the 2017-2019 period was also debated.
The initiative was launched in 2014 with an aim of building acooperation mechanism between the government, businesses and local community,thus promoting activities of preserving and protecting the environment at HaLong Bay and Cat Ba archipelago.
In 2015, the alliance formed a management board tostrengthen the engagement of enterprises in tackling some environmental issuesrelated to firms providing cruise services, while giving technical support tothe UNESCO in the management of Ha Long Bay and proposing the expansion of thealready recognised World Natural Heritage Site that includes Cat Baarchipelago.
In the second phase, the USAID will continue providing financialassistance to the IUCN to encourage the involvement of enterprises inpreserving and protecting the site and as well as assist the government indesigning policies to promote the activities.
The USAID will also help Vietnam re-apply for Ha Long Bay’sWorld Natural Heritage Site for the third time, aiming to positively impact themanagement of the environment in the site.-VNA
The northern province of Quang Ninh has set new sightseeing fees in Ha Long Bay, to be applied from April 1, while abolishing the kayak service in the bay.
Vice Chairwoman of the Quang Ninh People’s Committee Vu Thi Thu Thuy has requested authorities of Ha Long city to finalize measures to manage sport services on Ha Long Bay and report to the committee later this month.
The annual Week of Ha Long Tourism 2017 will take place in Quang Ninh from April 28 to May 7, with the decade-long traditional Carnaval street festival to be replaced by an art performance.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
Ha Long Bay (Photo: VNA) 
