The Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago Management Plan is built focusing on the following basic objectives:

  • Establishing the Legal Foundation for Fulfilling Vietnam’s International Commitments in Protecting and Promoting Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago for Future Generations, in Accordance with the Spirit of the World Heritage Convention.

  • Fulfilling conservation requirements and promoting the outstanding universal values (OUVs) of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago.

  • Ensuring the necessary conditions for the long-term and stable protection of the integrity of the heritage site.

  • Establishing a legal and scientific basis for developing sustainable development strategies, comprehensive planning, and conservation and promotion of heritage values.

  • Raising public awareness, promoting the heritage, and educating the community within the heritage site and buffer zone. Linking heritage conservation with tourism development and the socio-economic growth of the local area.

  • Monitoring, supervision, and handling of violations within the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage Site.

  • Adapting to and mitigating climate change, as well as disaster prevention and search & rescue operations.

  • Expanding and enhancing the effectiveness of regional, national, and international cooperation.

  • Applying information technology in the management, protection, and promotion of the heritage values.

  • Developing human resources for the protection and promotion of the heritage.

  • Proposing mechanisms and policies for the management, protection, and promotion of the site’s values, suited to the specific characteristics of the heritage.

  • Proposing the establishment of an effective coordination mechanism between the Ha Long Bay Management Board, the Cat Ba Archipelago Natural Heritage Management Board, and all relevant administrative agencies in the area, private enterprises, and the local communities — based on harmonizing and minimizing conflicts of interest between sectors and communities in the exploitation and use of heritage values, aiming to prevent activities that may impact the outstanding universal values or the landscape and environment of the heritage site.

To achieve the above-mentioned goals, the Management Plan for Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago sets out:

  • Outlining long-term management policies and principles, with a vision toward 2040.

  • Planning specific actions for implementation in the initial phase (2021–2025) to manage, conserve, and promote the values of the heritage.