On December 17, 2023, Google’s homepage paid tribute to Vietnam’s iconic landmark with a special doodle, temporarily replacing the usual logo on Google.com.vn. Halong Bay, located in Quang Ninh province, has been twice recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site in 1994 and 2000.
On September 16, 2023, alongside Cat Ba Archipelago (Hai Phong), this region was once again acknowledged as a World Natural Heritage site. This marks Vietnam’s first dual World Natural Heritage recognition.
The significance of featuring Halong Bay on Google this time, according to Google, is to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Halong Bay being recognized as a world natural heritage site (2024).
Additionally, December 17, 1994, is the date when Halong Bay was first acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site.
Besides its natural values, Halong Bay is a major tourist attraction for domestic and international visitors, drawing millions of tourists each year and significantly contributing to the local and Vietnamese economy.
The captivating landscapes of Halong Bay, including islands and caves such as Drum Cave, Surprising Cave, and Soi Sim Island, attract tourists with their beauty and mysterious charm. UNESCO recognized Halong Bay as a world heritage site for its naturally formed limestone islands over millions of years, adorned with lush vegetation.
In 1994, UNESCO classified Halong Bay as a World Natural Heritage site among the ten officially recognized World Cultural Heritage sites.
On November 11, 2011, Halong Bay was acknowledged by the New7wonders organization as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, sharing the ranking with other renowned landmarks such as the Amazon Rainforest (Brazil), Jeju Island (South Korea), and Table Mountain (South Africa).
Source: tuoitre.vn