The management board of Ha Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh province and Cat Hai district in northern Hai Phong City on July 18 signed a cooperation agreement on the management of the bays under their control.

Accordingly, the two localities will work together to ensure proper enforcement of laws and local regulations on production and services activities in the bays.

Additionally, the two sides will jointly promote tourist attractions in Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba archipelago’s bays, as well as enhance the protection of natural resources and ecological systems in the areas.

Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage Site recognised by UNESCO, is a popular travel destination. Covering an area of around 1,553 sq km, it includes 1,960–2,000 islets, most of which are 500 million-year-old limestone outcrops. The bay is famous for its tropical evergreen ecosystem and oceanic and seashore biodiversity.

Cat Ba archipelago includes 366 islands spanning 260 sq km and makes up the southeastern edge of Ha Long Bay. It has a wide variety of natural ecosystems, both marine and terrestrial. Since 1997, Cat Ba town has grown rapidly and has become a hub for tourists visiting both the archipelago and Ha Long Bay.-VNA