Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Thanh Nien and Tuan Chau Resort launched Monday an international campaign to vote for Ha Long Bay, a famous seascape in northern Vietnam, as one of the world’s seven new natural wonders.
Situated in the gulf of Tonkin, it was acknowledged as a World Heritage twice – in 1994 and 2000.

Ha Long Bay comprises some 1,600 limestone islands and islets, precipitous and mostly uninhabited, making for a spectacular panorama.

Readers wishing to vote can access www.natural7wonders.com, click in ‘Nomination’ on the left above corner, and fill in personal and nomination details.

The poll will remain open until August 8 next year after which a panel of experts will prune the list down to 21 candidates from which voters worldwide will elect seven.

The poll follows recent campaign to identify the New Seven Wonders of the World, including the Pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico, India’s Taj Mahal, Jordan’s Petra, Machu Picchu (Peru), the Great Wall (China), the Roman Colosseum (Italy) and Christ Redeemer (Brazil)..

The campaign

Thanh Nien and Tuan Chau Resort officials held a press conference Monday at the Sheraton hotel in Hanoi to announce the campaign.

Thanh Nien will carry articles on Ha Long Bay in its Vietnamese daily and its Vietnamese and English language online newspapers (www.thanhnien.com.vn and www.thanhniennews.com).

The organizers also said they would distribute leaflets, post volunteers at airports and tourist sites, hold a trans-Vietnam cruise, and launch a music festival to spread the word about the poll.

Tuan Chau Resort announced a donation of VND2 billion (US$125,000) for the campaign. Nguyen Hoang informatics company donated ten laptops to be installed at tourist sites across Vietnam.

Thanh Nien News