Experts oppose against holding beauty contest at Thien Duong Cave
>> Miss Grand International 2017 at Thien Duong Cave
Many experts have voiced their opposition against the decision to hold the traditional dress competition of the upcoming Miss Grand International 2017 at Thien Duong Cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
On March 14, Quang Binh provincial authorities announced the news. Contestants from 80 countries will participate in the Miss Grand International 2017 which will be held from October 5 to 21 in the provinces of Kien Giang and Quang Binh and HCM City. The traditional dress contest will be held in Quang Binh Province from October 15 to 19.
However, there are opinions that no country has held a beauty contest inside a UNESCO-recognised heritage site as it would badly affect the preservation work. Furthermore, Thien Duong Cave attracts tourists because of its natural beauty and many people worry that the contest may change the cave environment with the crowd, lights and amplifiers.
"Recently, they even held a wedding in a cave in Ha Long Bay and this is offensive," he said. "No country has held contest inside a heritage site like that. They may put up a stage and then rock and cave models behind."
He understands that Quang Binh wanted to promote tourism but Luong thought that the heritage site is already extraordinary on its own. They don't need an advertisement like that.
Do Van Tru, general secretary of the Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam, said he appreciated the fact that Quang Binh provincial authorities had put efforts in promoting famous destinations including Son Doong, Thien Duong and Tu Lan caves. However, he also opposed the decision to hold a beauty contest inside the cave.
Thien Duong Cave is located in the centre of the heritage site. As thousands of people gathered, many people will touch the stalactites and the scent will affect the overall environment.
This will set a precedent and other organisers may want to have their events held inside the caves. It'll cause bad effects in the long-run. Moreover, the structure of the caves are different from outdoor stages so the people will be more at risk too, he said.
"As Thien Duong Cave is recognised as world heritage site, it no longer belongs to only Vietnam. If we don't preserve it well, UNESCO will revoke the title," he said.
Nguyen Thai Binh, spokesman of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said they hadn't issued permit for the Miss Grand International 2017. The contest organisers are still completing dossiers to apply for the permit.
"Quang Binh Province’s authorities have only given their consent to the idea, they haven't issued any official document which is a must," he said.
Thien Duong Cave was discovered in 2005. The cave is 31.4km long and the largest part is 100m wide, 60m to 80m high. It's asserted by the Royal British Caving Association as the longest dry cave in Asia.
On March 14, Quang Binh provincial authorities announced the news. Contestants from 80 countries will participate in the Miss Grand International 2017 which will be held from October 5 to 21 in the provinces of Kien Giang and Quang Binh and HCM City. The traditional dress contest will be held in Quang Binh Province from October 15 to 19.
However, there are opinions that no country has held a beauty contest inside a UNESCO-recognised heritage site as it would badly affect the preservation work. Furthermore, Thien Duong Cave attracts tourists because of its natural beauty and many people worry that the contest may change the cave environment with the crowd, lights and amplifiers.
Thien Duong Cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
"Recently, they even held a wedding in a cave in Ha Long Bay and this is offensive," he said. "No country has held contest inside a heritage site like that. They may put up a stage and then rock and cave models behind."
He understands that Quang Binh wanted to promote tourism but Luong thought that the heritage site is already extraordinary on its own. They don't need an advertisement like that.
Do Van Tru, general secretary of the Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam, said he appreciated the fact that Quang Binh provincial authorities had put efforts in promoting famous destinations including Son Doong, Thien Duong and Tu Lan caves. However, he also opposed the decision to hold a beauty contest inside the cave.
Thien Duong Cave is located in the centre of the heritage site. As thousands of people gathered, many people will touch the stalactites and the scent will affect the overall environment.
This will set a precedent and other organisers may want to have their events held inside the caves. It'll cause bad effects in the long-run. Moreover, the structure of the caves are different from outdoor stages so the people will be more at risk too, he said.
"As Thien Duong Cave is recognised as world heritage site, it no longer belongs to only Vietnam. If we don't preserve it well, UNESCO will revoke the title," he said.
Nguyen Thai Binh, spokesman of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said they hadn't issued permit for the Miss Grand International 2017. The contest organisers are still completing dossiers to apply for the permit.
"Quang Binh Province’s authorities have only given their consent to the idea, they haven't issued any official document which is a must," he said.
Thien Duong Cave was discovered in 2005. The cave is 31.4km long and the largest part is 100m wide, 60m to 80m high. It's asserted by the Royal British Caving Association as the longest dry cave in Asia.
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