Experts to Assess Impact of Coastal Developments on Vietnam’s World Heritage Site

Unesco has announced plans to send a team of experts to Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay to evaluate the potential risks posed by ongoing development projects to the conservation of this World Heritage site. The United Nations agency expressed concerns over several large-scale projects that may threaten the site’s unique natural and cultural value.

Ha Long Bay, along with the nearby Cat Ba archipelago, marks the 30th anniversary of its inscription on the Unesco World Heritage List in 2024. Recognised as a prime example of marine-invaded tower karst, the bay has become a top tourist destination, drawing millions of visitors annually and significantly contributing to Vietnam’s tourism sector.

However, Unesco has raised alarms about the approval and implementation of multiple development projects along the coastline of Ha Long City, aimed at building new tourist and residential areas, which may not have undergone proper environmental impact assessments. If these developments are found to threaten the integrity of the site, there could be serious consequences, including sanctions or even the removal of Ha Long Bay from the prestigious list.

The planned assessment mission, involving experts from Unesco and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is scheduled for the coming months. Nuno Ribeiro, a senior lecturer in tourism at RMIT University Vietnam, highlighted that overdevelopment could undermine the very qualities that led to Ha Long Bay’s World Heritage status, such as its biodiversity and natural beauty.

The Vietnamese government and local authorities have yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.