A television programme, “Ha Long Bay, a fairyland” was broadcast live on the Vietnam Television’s Channel 1 and 4 on Oct. 29 to campaign for votes for Ha Long Bay as one of the new seven wonders of the world.

The event, which was co-hosted by VTV in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, linked four places in Vietnam : Ha Long Bay in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh , the capital city of Hanoi , the central city of Hue and the southern city of Ho Chi Minh .

It helped to promote images of Ha Long Bay to local people and foreign visitors, through songs, dances and fashion performances.

More than 1 million text messages were sent to vote for Ha Long on the day, bringing the total number of text messages to 4.25 million by the end of Oct. 29.

The voting will close at 11.11 pm (GMT) on November 11.

Ha Long is among 28 candidates in the final round of voting for the honour of being named as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Ha Long Bay , or the Bay of the Descending Dragon, in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh , is scattered with some 3,000 precipitous, strangely sculpted limestone islands and outcrops, and dotted with small floating villages and deserted sandy beaches.

The folk tale has it that the dragons descended from heaven to help locals by spitting jewels and jade to the sea, forming a natural fortress against invaders. These precious stones are represented by the lush green outcrops.

Ha Long Bay has been recognised twice by UNESCO as World’s Heritage for its landscape and geographical values./.