Short answer
In September 2023 the World Heritage Committee extended the Ha Long Bay site to include the Cat Ba archipelago. It became Vietnam's first World Heritage site spanning two provinces, Quang Ninh and Hai Phong.
01A drowned karst landscape
The islands are the tops of limestone hills that were flooded as sea levels rose after the last ice age. Rain, sea and tides have carved them into towers, cones, arches and caves, with characteristic notches along the waterline. Together, Ha Long Bay and the Cat Ba archipelago form one of the world's finest examples of this kind of marine karst.
02The timeline
- 1994: Ha Long Bay inscribed for its outstanding scenery.
- 2000: The listing was extended to recognise its geological value.
- 2004: The Cat Ba archipelago became a UNESCO biosphere reserve, covering land, mangroves and sea.
- 2013: Vietnam first nominated Cat Ba for World Heritage status.
- 2023: At its session in Riyadh in September, the World Heritage Committee approved the extension that created Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago.
03What it means for you
Little changes in practice: you still pay the Lan Ha Bay fee, boats still leave from Ben Beo and the same rules apply. The listing does increase pressure to manage tourism, waste and fish farming responsibly, and you may notice new rules on routes, overnight anchorages and kayaking areas. See Responsible travel.
?Questions people ask
Is Lan Ha Bay a UNESCO site?
Yes. Since 2023 the Cat Ba archipelago, including Lan Ha Bay, has been part of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage Site.