Halong Bay’s outstanding global values part3

Geological value

Halong Bay’s geological value has been evaluated in two ways: by the history of its formation and by its karst geomorphology.

Formation history: The Halong Bay area has a long geological history, commencing nearly 500 million years ago, stretching through various ancient geological periods involving the processes of orogeny earth movements, marine regression, tectonic down-warping and marine transgression. Between the Ordovician and Silurian periods (500 to 410 million years ago) the area was a deep sea. Later, between the Carboniferous and Permian periods (340 to 250 million years ago) the sea had become shallow. By the end of the Paleogenic and the beginning of the Neogenic periods (26 and 20 million years ago) the area had become part of a great coastal plain. This was inundated again by the sea about 2 million years ago. During the Triassic period, (240 and 195 million years ago) when most of the rest of the world was experiencing hot, dry climatic conditions, the Ha Long region had a hot and wet climate. The decayed remains of enormous forests of tree ferns were the basis of the coal deposits in the area.

- Karst geomorphologic value: Ha Long Bay is a mature karst landscape developed during a warm, wet, tropical climate. The sequence of stages in the evolution of a karst landscape over a period of 20 million years requires a combination of several distinct elements including massive thickness of limestone, a hot wet climate and slow overall tectonic uplift. There are various stages of karst formation and remnants of old phreatic, old karstic foot and marine notch caves can be observed. The characteristics of mature karst terrain are Fengling and Fengcong. The conical shapes of fengcong karst form clusters of limestone, having pyramid shapes lying close together with an average height of around 100m, though the highest may reach up to 200m. The conical shapes of fenglin karst are like individual towers having abrupt slopes and reaching heights of between 50 - 100m. The ratio between height and width is 6:1. Conical shapes of fengcong karst can be seen in the groups of hills on Bo Hon and Dau Be islands. The karst fields were formed in different ways, such as: landslide, ceiling collapse of underground river valleys and underground caves ,and by the existence of undissolved stone layers. These karst fields were regularly flooded by the sea.

The underground karst topography is divided into 3 main types of caves:

+ Remnants of old phreatic caves such as Sung Sot, Tam Cung, Lau Dai, Thien Cung, Dau Go and Thien Long.
+ Old karstic foot caves such as Trinh Nu, Bo Nau, Tien Ong and Trong;
+ Marine notch caves such as Luon Cave, Ba Hang and Ba Ham Lakes.
The karst landscape of Ha Long Bay is of international significance and of fundamental importance to the science of geomorphology. The geology of Ha Long Bay is associated with the value of its bio-diversity, archaeological culture, history and other significant values.

Halong Bay’s outstanding global values part2

Evaluation and Praises
Throughout the ages many famous men, from both home and abroad, when faced with the beauty of Halong’s sky and water have sung its praises in different ways, especially in poems.

In the 15th Century, Nguyen Trai (1380 – 1442), a great national poet visited Halong and spoke of:

“The way to Van Do has so many mountains
Nature has produced a wonder in the immense space
The vast blue sea looks like a grandiose mirror
Reflecting innumerable black mountains”.

(In 'Van Don' poem by Nguyen Trai, Complete Works, History Institution, Socio and Science Publishing House, HN 1976, pages 312 - 322).

King Le Thanh Tong (1442 – 1497) on a walking tour to An Bang (old name of Quang Ninh Province) was surprised by Ha Long’s beauty. He composed a poem and carved it on the wall of the mountain, praising the grace of Ha Long as follows:

Hundreds of water currents flow around mountains
Scattered islands look like a chessboard of sea joining the sky, both azure blue
Invaders are always expelled by Viet people
Stopping aggressive war and developing the country.

(Quoted from the poem “Bai tho de vach nui cua Thien nam dong chu” written by King Le Thanh Tong. The national center for Science, Society and Humanity. Vietnamese language Institute. Socio and Science Publishing House, Ha Noi, 1994.

Over 100 years ago, the French Journalist John Rey praised Ha Long: “ In the brilliant light of the tropical sun, the sea surface, dark and light, here and there in the shadow of limestone mountains, is really an indescribable, fanciful scene. Sunset looks like a flaring fire, throwing all the islands into a fairyland.”

In 1927, Emile Cordonnier wrote an article, “Halong Bay – a peaceful and beautiful place of Indochina” described it thus: “...Thousands of mountains rising from the water surface flaunt wonderful blocks of marble, images are merged together to create a marvelous picture. This scenery appears like a dream with tall pillars of rock and rugged islands rising from the clean waters of Halong Bay. The landscape here always keep calm and peaceful...". (According to Quangninh Newspaper, 15th January, 2000)
Famous contemporary poets went on a sightseeing tour to Halong, which kindled their poetic inspiration:

• Xuan Dieu, "the prince of Vietnamese poetry " expressed his great emotion:

" ... Here are laid half-made things
Mountains, islets, clouds and stones are disorderly scattered
In their game, the ancient giants threw the stones
From the trees is still smelt the after taste of ancient times..."

(The poem "Salute to Ha Long")

• The poet Che Lan Vien also described the marvelous scenery of Ha Long:

" No dragon shadow appears on Ha Long Bay
Wave embellished by the dark blue color passes hundreds of miles
The June sky makes the water twinkle likes silver lusters
Like seas smashing into the hull
Our boat passed by sunny thrones,
Vong Phu stone woman waits for her far-away husband,
As mountains have no human breath, birds come to build their nests,
To help stone mountains calm
Their sadness..."

(Passing through Ha Long)

Nowadays, many domestic and international politicians, poets, cultural celebrities and tourists make the same comment when they visit Halong Bay: “If you haven’t visited Ha Long Bay, you haven’t been to Viet Nam.”

Chairman Ho Chi Minh (1890 - 1969) - a world cultural celebrity, and great hero of Vietnam, on his visit to Dau Go Cave in October, 1957, said: "A marvelous scene that no one person could communicate to another. Both you and I must enjoy it together."

The former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong wrote about Ha Long Bay with a poet's eye "Here (Ha Long Bay) is it one scene or many scenes? Is it an earthly scene or what kind of scene?"

General Vo Nguyen Giap, a great general expressed his feelings "Ha Long Bay is a wonder of the world. We must take the responsibility to preserve, embellish and introduce it to world." (July, 30th, 1999).

The General Secretary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nong Duc Manh on his visit to Ha Long Bay on 29th October, 2001, wrote: "Ha Long Bay, a wonder bestowed by nature, a world heritage, an everlasting symbol of our lovely Vietnamese nation, is the pride of our people. All Vietnamese generations today and in the future must make the best effort to maintain, conserve and promote the great values of Ha Long Bay so that Ha Long Bay will be not only be a domestic tourist destination but also the rendezvous place for friends worldwide.”

In recent years, Halong Bay has been honored to welcome many international delegations, including the leaders of many countries of the world.

The Prime Minister of the Peoples’ Republic of China, Ly Bang on his visit to Vietnam 9th September, 2001, spoke off the cuff, "The beauty of Ha Long Bay makes us lose the way back."

The Chairman of the Mongolian National Assembly, Tumar Oder, praised Halong Bay: "This is an area with approximately 2,000 islands, including the World Natural Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. The Vietnamese call this the land of descending dragons. Ha Long Bay is a uniquely beautiful place in the world and is internationally admired and enjoyed. (8th January, 2002).

The Chairman of National Assembly of Bulgaria Republic praised Ha Long Bay and the Vietnamese people, "Thank you very much for your warm welcome to us. Nature here is so beautiful but the people's heart is even greater. That is our heart felt feelings about the Vietnamese people." [ 6th March, 2004]

The Swedish King , Carl Gustaf XVI, praised Ha Long Bay on his trip, 2nd February, 2004, "We have heard and read a lot about this beautiful and attractive country before our visit. We don't feel disappointed - but highly appreciate the natural beauty of the Bay." (According to Quang Ninh Newspaper)

Ha Long Bay will remain an attraction for many artists, an endless source of inspiration for the soul

Documents relating to Ha Long Bay's landscape:

from halongbay.org.vn

Halong Bay’s outstanding global values

Aesthetic value
The permanent beauty of Ha Long is created by three factors: stone, water and sky. Ha Long’s island system is multicolored with a variety of shapes and can be regarded as a water-color, a work of art. The islands, scattered all round, have different shapes which provoke the imagination: Dinh Huong (Incense Burner) implies spiritual significance, Ga Choi (Fighting Cocks) the symbol of Viet Nam tourism, Con Coc (Toad) recalls the passage of time, waiting thousands of years to seek justice in Heaven. There are islands that resemble a resplendent throne, a Vietnamese mother’s curved back carrying her child, a roof, an old man, a human head and so on.
Within the bigger islands are great attractions. Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stakes) dazzles the senses with many huge stalactites hanging poised in mid air and stalagmites growing majestically upwards. Then there is Thien Cung Grotto (Heavenly Palace) with its small, narrow entrance, but inside looking like a marvelous palace. Bo Nau Cave (Pelican) has an arc-shape entrance containing many stalactites. Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) lives up to its name. Within this cave are stalactites with many marvelous shapes, such as: jungle fowl, toad, dragon, waterfall and many others.
Other caves and grottoes such as Tam Cung (Three Palaces), Trinh Nu (Virgin), Ba Hang (Three Tunnels), Tien Long (Fairy Dragon), each has its own attractions and beauty.
Ha Long’s sea is always the same, blue, smooth and still. Ha Long has its own beauty by seasons. In Spring, buds of trees burst on limestone islands. In Summer, it is cool and clean with many sparkling sun rays reflecting from the sea’s surface. In Autumn, especially at night, moonlight illuminates the mountains so they appear like gold, inlaid into the earth. In Winter, with pervasive frost, Ha Long is glamorous as “a floating flower basket on smooth wave” (by writer Nguyen Tuan).

The system of islands and caves

Most of the islands on Ha Long Bay are limestone and were formed over 500 million years ago, and are massed in the southeast and southwest. The schist islands scattered in the southeast have an average height of between 50-200m, and have a rich covering of flora.

Within the islands of the Bay there are hundreds of beautiful caves of different shapes and sizes, including many famous names such as Thien Cung, Dau Go, Sung Sot, Tam Cung and Bo Nau. Some of them are archaeological sites retaining tangible archaeological evidence, such as Dau Go, Bo Nau, Sung Sot, Soi Nhu, Tien Long, Me Cung, and Trinh Nu caves.

Geographical Location and Climate

Halong Bay is located in the Northeast of Vietnam, belonging to QuangNinh Province. It is in the coastal area stretching from 1060 56’ to 1070 37’ east longitude and 200 43’ to 210 09’ north latitude. To the west and northwest, Halong Bay stretches from Yen Hung District, and includes the large urban areas of Halong City and Cam Pha Town, as well as Van Don Island District. To the south and southeast, it is adjacent to the western Tonkin Gulf and to the west and southwest lies Cat Ba Island in the province of Hai Phong. On the world map, Ha Long Bay borders to China in the north and in the east it is adjacent to the East Sea.
In 1962, the Ministry of Culture and Information classified Halong Bay as a National Landscape Site, covering an area of 1,553 km2 with 1,969 islands. Halong Bay has been recognized twice by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area for its universal values of landscape, geology and geomorphology, respectively in 1994 and 2000, an area of 434 sq. km. including 775 islands.
The area inscribed by UNESCO (the Protected Area I - the Core Zone) is bound by Dau Go Island in the east, Ba Ham Lake in the south and Cong Tay Island in the east. The Protected Area II - the Buffer Zone is identified by the shore of the Bay running along the National Highway No. 18A, from the Gasoline Warehouse B12 in Cai Dam Precinct to the km.11 marker in Quang Hanh Precinct, Cam Pha Town. The Protected Area III - the Hinterland Zone is the sea or mainland area surrounding the buffer zone, including the area adjacent to the Cat Ba National Park of Hai Phong City.
- Climate is featured humid tropical charactor, including two distinct seasons: hot, humid with much rainning in summer and cold, dry in winter. The average temperature ranges from 150 – 250C with annual average rainfall of 2,000 – 2,200mm/year. Halong Bay has a typical tidal time (tidal amplitude ranges from 3.5 – 4.0m. The degree of salt in the sea water ranges from 31 – 34.5% in the dry season and decreases in the rainy season.

Ronaldo and Rooney rip Newcastle apart

NEWCASTLE, England -- Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney both scored twice as Manchester United hammered Newcastle United 5-1 at St James's Park to move to within three points of English Premier League leaders Arsenal, who drew 2-2 at Birmingham.
Ronaldo strides past substitute goalkeeper Harper to score United's third goal.

Rooney, Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez were an impressive attacking force, backed up by the talented Nani.
Australian international forward Mark Viduka was again omitted by Newcastle, who paired Michael Owen with former Manchester player Alan Smith, yet to score a senior goal for Newcastle in 27 appearances this season.
Much of the euphoria surrounding Kevin Keegan's return as manager at Newcastle has faded, after a return of two points from a possible 15 and growing concerns about a relegation battle.
In the 25th minute, Ronaldo tricked his way past fullback Habib Beye and crossed to the far post where Rooney volleyed past Shay Given.
When midfielder Joey Barton lost possession to Rooney a neat pass set up Michael Carrick, who played in Ronaldo and the Portuguese fired past Given. The keeper was replaced by Steve Harper for the second session but the sub fared no better.
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Eduardo horror injury as Arsenal held
Eleven minutes after the restart Harper was left floundering as Ronaldo darted round him to score the third goal.
Sir Alex Ferguson then withdrew Ronaldo and the injured Nemanja Vidic with the win assured and Newcastle scored 11 minutes from time.
Andy Carroll headed James Milner's corner into the path of Abdoulaye Faye and the Senegal international netted from close in
Less than two minutes later Smith cleared a corner straight into the path of Rooney who fired in from 22 yards. Louis Saha completed the rout in the final minute.
Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick as Liverpool beat Middlesbrough 3-2 at Anfield and lifted Rafael Benitez' side back into the top four.
It was Boro's first defeat since New Year's day and was made worse when striker Jeremie Aliadiere was sent off late in the game after a clash with Javier Mascherano.
Fulham were pushed closer to the drop after a 1-0 home defeat by West Ham while Wigan gave their surival chances a huge boost by beating bottom side Derby 2-0.
Nolberto Solano claimed the points for West Ham with an 87th-minute strike at Fulham, who had Denmark defender Leon Andreasen sent off when he picked up a second yellow card for his protests to the referee about the goal.
Late goals from Paul Scharner and Antonio Valencia lifted Wigan four points clear of the relegation zone.
Sunderland are in an identical position after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth, for whom Jermain Defoe slotted in a penalty with just over 20 minutes left.

Nigerian striker apologizes to Da Nang club

VietNamNet Bridge – In a meeting with officials of the Da Nang football club on February 20, Amaobi apologized to Coach Le Huy Duc and expressed his desire to continue playing for Da Nang.

However, the club’s Chairman Do Quang Hien says the Nigerian player needs some form of punishment.

At the meeting, Da Nang club officials asked Amaobi to express all of his problems, but he seemed repentant and apologized to coach Le Huynh Duc, the team’s leaders and other players for his mistakes. He also expressed his hope to continue playing for Da Nang in V-League and National Cup tournaments.

Da Nang club’s official accepted Amaobi’s apology, but will still punish the striker. At first, Amaobi will have to practice alone in Da Nang while the team plays at guest stadiums. This striker will also have to set punishments for himself at a meeting next week.

At the meeting yesterday, Amaobi still confirmed that he bribed former coach Tran Vu $3,000, which the coach denies, and threatens to bring the case to court.

In an interview with Sports & Culture Newspaper on February 19, Amaobi said he gave $3,000 to Vu as a bribe when he signed a contract with Da Nang club. As the money was not fairly allocated, Amaobi was benched.

(Source: VNE, Tien Phong)