${attraction_Ha_Long_Bay:”Ha Long Bay”} was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO not only once, but twice, in 1994 and 2000. So for it to be included even in the temporary list of the Seven New Wonders of Nature ignites concerns that the sudden tourism boom in the area may make it more difficult to preserve, even damaging the historically significant work of nature.
 
The temporary list of the said competition is based on the first counting of global votes on Friday. Some of the votes were cast through cellphones, and the contest participated in by millions of people, even by Vietnamese abroad. 440 destinations in 220 countries were nominated for the contest, from which 28 finalists were chosen. Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province joins the list of the New Seven Wonders of Nature along with the Amazon Rainforest in South America, Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina and Brazil, Jeju Volcanic Island off South Korea, Komodo National Park in Indonesia, Puerto Princesa Underground River in the Philippines and the Table Mountain in South Africa.
 
Ha Long Bay garnered hundreds of millions of votes all around the world. Naturally, the whole country rejoiced in the global distinction. According to the local tourism sector, the new status of the site will boost the industry nationwide.
 
Quang Ninh Party Unit Head Pham Minh Chinh stated that Ha Long Bay’s sudden high-profile recognition equates to local authorities having to initiate campaigns to advertise the bay professionally. In fact, local tour companies or agents such as Hanoitourist and Vietnam Tourism Company, as soon as the announcement was made, added the momentous information to their websites and leaflets. Moreover, Viet Tourism Company offered a cash promotion of VND500,000 (US$24) along with its conduction of many tours in the now globally acclaimed Ha Long Bay. Several other tourism operators expressed their joy and optimism in the new victory as this will surely boost their business.
 
Ha Long Bay has been promoted nationally over the past four years. And with its new found worldwide distinction as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature today, albeit still temporary, more and more people will be more interested about the place. As such, Tran Nhat Hoang, an official from the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Torusim, stated that a new television program solely meant for Ha Long Bay will be launched to provide more information and interest in the now globally acclaimed site.
 
But along with the rejoicing comes the concerns. According to Ngo Van Hung, director of the center overseeing the famous bay, the newfound worldwide distinction of Ha Long Bay means that more and more people will be coming to visit and see the place. This will definitely put pressure on the environment since more tourism facilities will have to be built to serve the increasing number of visitors coming to the area. The increasing number of tourists may be more than the center and Ha Long Bay itself can handle.