Ha Long Bay Heritage through an Inter-Value Lens

Abstract

Ha Long Bay is one of three bays situated in the Northeastern maritime region of Vietnam and forms part of the Gulf of Tonkin system. Since 1994, it has been inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its “outstanding universal value in terms of natural landscape”. In 2000, it was further recognized for its “universal values in geology and geomorphology”, and in 2023, the World Natural Heritage boundaries were extended to encompass the Cat Ba Archipelago. These international recognitions have consolidated Ha Long Bay’s status as a focal point for global tourism, serving as a catalyst for the socio-economic development of Quang Ninh Province. Nevertheless, beyond its tourism potential, a key question arises as to what additional values Ha Long Bay may reveal when considered in relation to the broader heritage system of Quang Ninh. From an integrated, inter-value perspective, this study seeks to propose a developmental orientation for the future of Ha Long Bay within the cultural context of Quang Ninh Province.