International community shows support for Ha Long bay

The diplomat made the statement at a promotional event on Ha Long Bay held in Ha Long city on March 9, where Viet Nam’s international community was called to vote for Ha Long Bay as a new natural wonder of the world.

Ha Long Bay and two other areas in Viet Nam, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang grotto and Fansipan mountain, are competing with more than 200 candidates to be included in the seven new wonders of the world.

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been leading votes on the website www.new7wonders.com in the past two weeks.

NewOpenWorld launched the competition and first phase of voting in August 2007. Voting will close on August 8 this year and the number of competing regions will be reduced to 77 sites.

The second phase will take around six months, of which 21 sites will be selected. The best seven among these candidates will then be nominated.

The bay, whose name means “Descending Dragon”, has been recognised by UNESCO twice as World Natural Heritage site.