Vietnam Bay ranks second in World Natural Wonders voting

Ha Long Bay in Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Ninh has jumped to second place among 28 finalists of the online voting for the world’s new seven wonders, the NewOpenWorld said on its website at www.new7wonders.com.

The runners-up are Yushan (China); Iguazu Falls (South America); Great Barrier Reef (Australia); Amazon Forest and Grand Canyon (the U.S.), the Vietnamese Government said on its website Sept 8, citing the NewOpenWorld.

Top in the list is the Dead Sea of Israel, it added.

The ranking has been attributed to the country’s efficient campaigns abroad to promote the bay as a new world wonder.

Ha Long Bay has been twice recognized by UNESCO as the World Heritage for its natural beauty and geology.

The bay is currently attracting both domestic and international visitors through land and maritime route. Bei Hai – Ha Long in particular, is considered a golden maritime tourist route for both China and Vietnam, especially in the northern province of Quang Ninh.

Over the past eight months, the tourism sector in the province has surpassed set targets for 2010 with more than 5.3 million tourists arriving and an estimated turnover of VND2.3 trillion.

The voting is in the four phase, which is done in the form of a global vote scheduled from 2009 to 2010.

The NewOpenWorld plans to release the final result in late 2010.

Tags: Halong Bay, World Natural Wonders