Website launched to vote for Ha Long Bay, Jeju Island

A website to vote for Vietnam's Ha Long Bay and Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea (RoK) as two of the seven new natural wonders of the world was launched on May 12 in Hanoi.

The website, http://www.jeju-halong.com, has been established by the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in co-operation with the Cultural Centre of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Vietnam .  The website provides information on the two destinations and guidelines for voting in English, Vietnamese and Korean.

The voting sites are located at the Daewoo and Grand Plaza Hotels in Hanoi .  According to Keum Gi Hyung, the director of the RoK Culture Centre, the website is expected to attract votes from more than 10 million Korean and Vietnamese people.

Speaking at the ceremony, the new Republic of Korea Ambassador to Vietnam , Ha Chan Ho, called on people in both countries to vote for the two destinations because “they are not only the national pride of both the RoK and Vietnam , but also the pride of Asia , and this will contribute to protecting the world's environment.”

“If Jeju Island and Ha Long Bay become two of the seven new natural wonders of the world, it will help develop the economy of both countries by increasing the number of foreign tourists,” confirmed the RoK ambassador.

“The  event also shows the development of close ties between the two countries in all fields,” he added.

At the ceremony,  Vietnam ’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai said “the website’s launch is very significant as it expresses the friendship, honour and cultural values of both nations.”

“This co-operation is significant for making the destinations two of the seven new natural wonders of the world.”