The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is represented in the New7Wonders of Nature by Halong Bay, which was recently the scene of an official visit by New7Wonders President Bernard Weber and Director Jean Paul De la Fuente. The delegation was welcomed by HE The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hoang Tuan Anh, in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and the visit included a helicopter trip to Halong Bay, as well as ceremonies during an overnight cruise of the bay itself.

HE Pham Minh Chinh, Communist Party Committee Secretary of the Province of Quáng Ninh, home of Halong Bay, hosted a reception, followed by a working session with provincial leaders as well as members of the Halong Bay N7W Official Supporting Committee.

“The official national and provincial authorities are committed to enabling the people of Vietnam to vote in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign, including via a nationwide SMS service” the Vietnamese government said. It added that it will continue its investment in the tourism infrastructure while at the same time taking measures to protect the environment of Halong Bay. In addition to various meetings and cultural celebrations hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the New7Wonders delegation visited the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and conducted a Q&A exchange with students from the Hanoi University of Culture.

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD

www.new7wonders.com