TOWARD GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN HA LONG BAY – CAT BA ARCHIPELAGO WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE SITE

In July, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with the Ha Long Bay Management Board, recently held a working session with Mr. Peter Scott Debrine, Senior Project Officer from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Long, to discuss the Sustainable Tourism Development Plan for Ha Long Bay through 2035, with a vision to 2045.

Mr. Debrine recognized and highly appreciated CCD’s proposals and theoretical framework in developing sustainability criteria and a dedicated monitoring framework for the implementation of a sustainable tourism plan tailored to the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba World Natural Heritage Site. He remarked that the plan is practical and well-aligned with the core principles of heritage conservation, value enhancement, and community engagement, in accordance with guidelines from both UNESCO and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In addition, Mr. Debrine emphasized the need to pay greater attention to defining effective criteria and solutions for better management of waste from tourist boats, carrying capacity control at tourism routes and sites, development of signature tourism products, and enhanced safety measures for visitors to the bay.

CCD has been and continues to support the development of management plans, regulatory frameworks, and strategic development initiatives for World Natural Heritage Sites in Vietnam. These efforts aim to ensure a harmonious balance between nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable tourism development.