Reporter: To exploit and promote the value of heritage, Vietnam in general and Quang Ninh province in particular have many tourism promotion programs, developing many new tourism products to attract domestic and foreign tourists. In your opinion, has the way of preserving and promoting the heritage of Ha Long Bay followed UNESCO's criteria?
Mr. Jonathan Baker: Vietnam and Quang Ninh province have made significant progress in unifying the conservation and promotion of heritage based on UNESCO criteria.
Their willingness to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and tourism development demonstrates their commitment to maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the heritage site.
UNESCO's criteria emphasize the need for integrated management and stakeholder engagement to ensure that a sustainable approach is reflected throughout the tourism value chain to protect the cultural and natural values of the heritage site.
Local communities play an active role in tourism activities, promoting cultural heritage and gaining economic benefits.
However, continuous monitoring and adjustment are necessary to ensure that tourism activities do not damage the outstanding universal value of Ha Long Bay.
Reporter: In order to manage Ha Long Bay well, in addition to human resources, the role of the people is very important. How do you evaluate the role of the community, the subject being the indigenous people, in preserving and promoting the value of the heritage?
Mr. Jonathan Baker: Communities, especially indigenous people, play a vital role in the conservation of Ha Long Bay. Their deep knowledge of the ecosystem, traditions and local sustainable practices are invaluable for effective heritage management.
Community-based tourism initiatives that actively involve indigenous people in guiding and introducing cultural activities have protected traditional livelihoods and enriched the visitor experience, fostering a deeper connection between tourists and heritage sites.
Reporter: In your opinion, should limiting mass tourism and focusing more on environmental protection tourism activities be a direction for Ha Long Bay in particular and world natural heritages in general to exploit the heritage in a harmonious and sustainable way?
Mr. Jonathan Baker : Limiting mass tourism and focusing on sustainable tourism activities must be the top priority for Ha Long Bay and other world heritage sites.
By prioritizing quality over quantity, Vietnam can protect the bay's natural landscape and biodiversity while creating unique, enriching experiences for visitors.
You need to strengthen the management of Ha Long Bay with additional resources to improve monitoring and conservation.
Tourists must take responsibility for protecting and preserving heritage, which can be achieved through targeted communication and education about responsible tourism.
The application of sustainable approaches and clear solutions makes Ha Long Bay a model for other localities nationwide.
Policies such as restricting access to sensitive areas, ecotourism certification for operators and encouraging low-impact tourism will ensure the long-term sustainability of the area.
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