(VOV)- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will apply to UNESCO for recognition of Cat Ba archipelago as a world natural heritage site.  The Prime Minister asked the Ministry in collaboration with the UNESCO National Commission of Vietnam to submit all necessary documents to the international body. The archipelago in Southern Ha Long Bay, includes 2,000 islands of which Cat Ba is the largest. The islands are home to more than 700 species of flora and fauna, including rare trees and endangered animals. Cat Ba’s forests remain largely untouched. Recently the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism granted Cat Ba archipelago, in Cat Hai district, Hai Phong city, national heritage status. Hai Phong has been preparing for next year’s National Tourism Year of the Red River Delta.