This was informed by Ngo Van Hung, Head of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, at a press briefing in Hanoi on Dec. 5.

The celebrations include a Ha Long Bay exhibition entitled “15 years of world natural heritage” at the Ly Thai To Garden, a promotion programme to vote for seven world wonders and vote for Ha Long Bay as one of the seven world wonders, and art performances at the Opera House.

Since listed as the world natural heritage in 1994, management and preservation of Ha Long Bay obtained significant achievements, Hung said.

The Ha Long Bay management board cooperated and connected with local and foreign universities, research institutes and scientists to conduct scientific studies to add more heritage values for management. It also worked with world natural preservation agencies to conduct surveys on the Bay to assess its geological and geomorphological values.

The management board has to date published 30 publications to promote the Bay and carried out 30 research projects on heritage values.