Many projects encroaching on the sea have been popping up in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, placing a great strain on the buffer zone of the UNESCO-recognized Ha Long Bay.

A residential and hotel complex project in Quang Hanh Ward in Cam Pha City under the province, designed to cover 31.8 hectares, with 3.88 hectares in the buffer zone of the bay, is a typical example.

The People’s Committee of Cam Pha City on Monday told the investor of the project to suspend it, as it was supposed to be a threat to the world heritage site and has prompted a public outcry.

The buffer zone of the bay, which is over 300 square kilometers, provides an additional layer of protection for the world heritage site.

According to the Quang Ninh People’s Committee, the buffer zone is too large, causing difficulties in managing, preserving, leveraging, and promoting Ha Long Bay, while affecting the province’s socio-economic development strategies.

As such, the province is planning to scale down the buffer zone in order not to harm the value of the heritage site while benefiting the local community.

Pham Dinh Huynh, deputy head of the Ha Long Bay management board, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that several sea encroachment projects covering parts of the buffer zone have been executed.

Among them is the Tuan Chau entertainment and tourism compound spanning over 1,000 hectares, up 700 hectares from the initially planned area.

Another project is Hung Thang Urban Area, which covers 240 hectares of land.

According to Tuoi Tre reporters' observation, an area near Tuan Chau Wharf is lined with townhouses and luxurious hotels which belong to the Tuan Chau Marina urban area.

However, lots of houses remain empty.

Meanwhile, some parts of the Hung Thang urban area development, including apartments, townhouses, and a commercial and entertainment plaza, have been put into service since 2013.

As of 2021, Quang Ninh Province has been listed as one of the localities with many sea encroachment projects.

Its 40 projects covering a total of thousands of hectares, paired with the operational residential areas, contribute to shaping the urban space in the province.

Many UNESCO representatives have repeatedly warned of sea encroachment in Ha Long Bay due to its impact on the environment.

They also advised provincial authorities to take action to preserve the heritage site to move toward sustainable development.

The UNESCO named Ha Long Bay a world heritage site twice in 1994 and 2000.

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