UNESCO announced that it is deploying a team of experts to assess possible risks to the conservation of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.

Agency officials expressed concerns regarding several development projects that could threaten the heritage-listed tourist attraction.

The impending assessment mission could have a significant impact on Vietnam’s tourism sector, especially if its findings result in sanctions or lead to the removal of Ha Long Bay from the heritage list.

The tourism sector accounted for eight percent of Vietnam’s GDP in 2023, per government data.

The UNESCO statement declared: “If threats are identified which jeopardise the integrity of the property and the reasons for which it was inscribed on the World Heritage List, the committee may request corrective measures to strengthen the protection of the site.”

The mission, slated for deployment over the next several months, will include experts from UNESCO, as well as the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Threatened glories

The bay and the adjoining Cat Ba archipelago of limestone islets celebrated the 30th anniversary of their inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage List this year.

Ha Long Bay’s inclusion by the agency was thanks to the most extensive and best-known example of marine-invaded tower karst.

Over the years, Ha Long Bay’s UNESCO designation contributed to its becoming one of Vietnam’s biggest tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors every year and boosting Vietnam’s revenue from tourism.

However, experts point out long-standing concerns that multiple development projects for new tourism and urban residential areas along the coastline in Ha Long City were approved and are currently being implemented without a proper assessment of their impact on the environment.