On February 2, the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board and the Vietnam–Russia Tropical Center (under the Ministry of National Defence) held a conference to review their coordination work in 2025 and signed a cooperation agreement for the 2026–2030 period.
Based on the cooperation framework previously established, the two sides implemented a number of scientific research projects in 2025, including pilot studies on restoring degraded coral reefs; research on species composition and proposals for bird conservation measures; as well as studies on marine and tropical forest ecosystems. The research outcomes have provided an important scientific basis for the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board to enhance the effectiveness of management, conservation and sustainable promotion of the values of Bai Tu Long National Park, while also supporting the implementation of new research tasks at the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu World Heritage areas.
At the conference, the two parties signed a cooperation agreement for the 2026–2030 period, focusing on research and assessment of landscape ecosystems, flora and fauna, and the potential of natural resources in Bai Tu Long National Park, with an expanded scope covering the Ha Long Bay – Yen Tu World Heritage area. The agreement marks a new phase of development with a broader scope in scientific research cooperation between the two institutions, aiming toward long-term objectives including building an international-standard scientific data system; assessing the health of forest–marine–island ecosystems; and training of specialized conservation personnel. These efforts are expected to contribute to the effective protection and sustainable promotion of the values of the Ha Long Bay – Yen Tu World Heritage Site and Bai Tu Long National Park, which is also recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park.
By Nguyen Thom
