Ha Long Bay, Vietnam's seascape of 1,600 limestone islands and caves, has begun its bid to be chosen as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. An office, the Truly Ha Long Center, opened September 5 in Hanoi. The Truly Ha Long Center, along with drumming up popular support for Ha Long Bay's nomination, will be a showroom for the bay, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and draws more than one and a half million visitors each year. Nominations for the list will be accepted through August 8, 2008, after which 21 semi-finalists will be selected. Voters worldwide will then choose the final seven.
Votes can be entered at [www.natural7wonders.com]. For more information, contact the Truly Ha Long Center at (84-4) 926 3719 or [www.trulyhalong.com].