NewOpenWorld (NOW) announced on July 21st the 28 official qualifiers to the final stage of the New Seven Natural Wonders contest, among which Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay ranks 12th.
After the announcement, NOW sent a message of congratulations to Ha Long Bay, the managing board of Ha Long Bay reported. In the message, NOW congratulated the Vietnamese people and supporters of Ha Long Bay over the world, praising Ha Long Bay Board of Campaigning’s efforts bringing Ha Long Bay from the preliminary list of 440 nominees to the final stage of the voting.
Ms. Pham Thuy Duong of the Ha Long Bay managing board reveals representatives of NOW would visit Ha Long Bay in the coming time and also announce the next steps of the voting.
The final result of the voting is scheduled to be proclaimed in 2011.
Not only spreading the good news of Ha Long Bay’s qualification among Vietnamese people and international community, the Board of Campaigning is also attempting to promote the world heritage’s image. This is considered an golden opportunity to popularise a Vietnam of heroic history, successful reforms, mighty nature and diversified culture.
Mr. Le Toan – Director of the Quang Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism says the province will continue to speed up Ha Long’s voting with students as leading forces since they are good at computing skills.
The International Co-operation Department’s Head Nguyen Van Tinh (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) says the National Steering Committee is waiting for NOW’s guidance on voting procedures in order to develop promoting campaigns for Ha Long Bay in the coming time.
Quang Ninh Province is planing to organise various cultural and sport activities in famous tourist spots as Bai Chay, Tuan Chau… and encourage enterprises to supply computers in service of the voting.
According to Ms. Duong, the Board of Campaigning will hold a press conference reporting voting criteria and procedures, as well as specific directions for Vietnamese people and international visitors to participate in voting for Ha Long Bay.
The voting campaign has significantly drawn the attention of the public, increasing the number of visitors to Ha Long Bay. The Bay has become a must-see destination in Vietnam and Quang Ninh in particular. Tourist to Ha Long Bay reached 3 million arrivals in 2007 and over 4 million arrivals in 2008. By the end of June 2009, Ha Long Bay has received an impressive number of 3.5 million tourist arrivals. That obviously is a positive sign for Vietnam tourism during such a difficult time for global tourism.
By T.P (TITC)
Source: Government Web Portal