The event was co-organised by the Youth Union of the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Lao National University and the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in Laos.

The General Secretary of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, Saikhong Sainasin, said that the event helped Lao students understand more about the natural beauty of Vietnam, including Halong Bay. He also called on Lao students and others to vote for Halong Bay as a new world natural wonders.

Mr Sainasin emphasised that the voting is a significant activity to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Hanoi and the 450th anniversary of Vientiane, as well as to strengthen friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

Halong Bay has been twice recognised by UNESCO as the World Heritage for its natural beauty and geology.