With an area of 1.553 km2 including 1,969 islands stretching along the coast, Ha Long Bay has outstanding values, of which two outstanding universal values of landscape, geology and geomorphology have been recognized by UNESCO.

As of 20 September 2011, there are 16 countries having signed, but not yet ratified the 1982 Convention

The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea was opened for signature on 10 December 1982 and entered into force as from 16 November 1994. Up to 20 September 2011, the Convention has 162 members.

In accordance with Article 46 of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, “archipelagic state” means a state constituted wholly by one or more archipelagos and may include other islands, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Iceland, Papua New Guinea, Fiji ...

On November 16, 1994, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea took effect after 60 countries had ratified it. The 5th session of the National Assembly, 9th Legislature, of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam approved the Resolution ratifying the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. On June 23, 1994, Viet Nam was the 64th country to have ratified this Convention.

The delimitation of national borders is often based on natural geographical factors such as rivers, streams, mountains, waterfalls,…and in accordance with treaties, agreements signed among the States. However, due to the differences in natural conditions, customs and thinking of nations and regions worldwide, a number of special forms of borders have been created. Please find herewith the introduction of some special information related to national border lines worldwide.