A campaign launched in 2007 by the New 7 Wonders Foundation was meant to raise awareness of the world’s most beautiful natural sites. Along with Indonesia and Philippines, Vietnam was among three finalists that gained “7 Wonders” status from the ASEAN region.

The results come after a long consultation process lasting from December 2007 to July 2009, when citizens worldwide were asked to suggest sites which they deemed were natural wonders. Over a million phone and SMS votes that were accumulated helped narrow down the list of more than 440 contenders in over 220 countries down to a shortlist of 77.

After its announcement on November of last year that the final results will be announced early 2012, following changes to be made between the provisional winners and the final list, the Switzerland-based foundation has now announced that Vietnam’s ${attraction_Ha_Long_Bay:”Ha Long Bay”} is among the winners that has passed its validation process.

According to the foundation’s official website, Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh has been officially named a new wonder of nature along with Iguazu Falls at the border of Brazil and Argentina, Jeju volcanic island off South Korea, and the Puerto Princesa Underground River of Philippines.

Recognition for other candidates under the same list like the Komodo National Park in Indonesia, South Africa’s Table Mountain, and the Amazon Rainforest in South America is still provisional as the validation process is still underway.

This recent acknowledgement will greatly help increase the citizen’s awareness of the need to protect their natural landscapes. Additionally, this will boost the country’s tourism activities as visits to the attraction are expected to further increase in the coming months.

Recognition ceremonies will be organized in ${bigcity_Hanoi:"Hanoi"} and Ha Long Bay on April 27 and May 1 respectively.