Environmental conflict in Ha Long Bay by Dr Wongsa Laohasiriwong, Khon Kaen University.

Environmental conflict in Ha Long Bay by Dr wongsa Laohasiriwong, Khon Kaen University.

Introduction

Ha Long Bay is located in the northern part of Vietnam’s East Sea, south of the rapidly growing Ha Long City and Cum Pha. It is one of Vietnam’s favourite travel destinations because of its beautiful 3,000 islands rising from the Gulf of Tonkin with spectacular geological features. This area was inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 1994. The marine reserve in the bay is flourishing and offers great opportunity for snorkelling. A wide variety of birds and animals including wild chickens, deer, monkeys, and iguanas inhabit the islands. Pearl and coral are also exploited in some areas.

Ha Long Bay is rich in coal (lignite), a fuel important for both industrial and household use; the extraction and production of which can also cause environmental damage. These environmental problems have resulted in conflict amongst people living there, lignite users and the people suffering from the adverse impacts from lignite extraction. There have been efforts from the central government, plus provincial and local authorities to solve the problems. However, the problems still persist.

Transition from the Coalmine Capital towards Capital of Tourism

Great economic potential of Ha Long City

Ha Long City, the capital of Quang Ninh Province, population 165,000 in the year 2000, (16.5% Quang Ninh province) is predicted to grow significantly to a total population of 650,000 by 2010 (partly due to urban agglomeration). Ha Long City borders Bai Chai Bay, a major shallow estuary. To the east of Ha Long is Cum Pha, which is dominated by surface and underground coal mining operations. Quang Ninh province contains almost all of Vietnam’s coal reserves and mining has been a driving force of the provincial economy for decades. As the province’s largest employer, the state-owned Vietnam Coal Corporation provides jobs for some 85,000 workers (WB, 1999). The significance of this coastal region led to its inclusion in the Northeastern Economic Triangle, which consists of the area between Hanoi, Hai Phong and Ha Long. Ha Long City has great economic potential from mineral resources including coal, limestone and clay. Its coastal location offers vast resources in developing tourism, seaports and fisheries.

Investment Policies

The Vietnamese government set ‘Four Pillars for Comprehensive Development’ emphasising: empowering Industry and Trade; creating likeable and efficient urban Areas; promoting sustainable tourism and managing the environment and conserving nature Master plans for the region focus on three areas of activities: continued industrialization through new investments; additional transport infrastructure; and tourism development. The following sections will look at what is being planned for the area accordance with the four pillars.

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