Exploring Vietnam's three new ASEAN Heritage Parks

At the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18) held in Langkawi, Malaysia, Vietnam had three national parks recognized as “ASEAN Heritage Parks.”

Vietnam's three new “ASEAN Heritage Parks” include Pu Mat National Park (Nghe An), Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve, and Xuan Thuy National Park (Ninh Binh).

With a total of 12 heritage parks, Vietnam is among the countries with the most ASEAN Heritage Parks in the region.

Pu Mat National Park

Located in the districts of Anh Son, Con Cuong, and the former Tuong Duong, Pu Mat National Park covers nearly 95,000 hectares and is the core zone of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO in 2007.

The name Pu Mat originates from the Thai language, meaning “high mountain peak”, with the highest peak reaching 1,841 meters.

Red-faced monkeys in Pu Mat National Park. (Photo: Vietnam Pictorial)

Pu Mat National Park boasts one of the most diverse ecosystems in Central Vietnam with 2,494 plant species and 1,746 animal species. Many of these species are listed in Vietnam's red book. Notably, it was here that the first saola individuals were discovered in Vietnam.

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The highlight of Pu Mat National Park is the 150-meter-high Khe Kem waterfall, located 20 kilometers from Con Cuong commune, likened to a “white silk ribbon” amidst the vast forest. From the base of the waterfall, visitors can admire the white foamy water, accompanied by the sounds of forest birds and the refreshing atmosphere.

Another worthwhile journey is a boat ride along the Giang river, where limestone mountains stand tall, orchids bloom, and monkeys frolic in the treetops. The Moc stream also offers an unforgettable experience, with its crystal-clear water that is cool in summer and warm in winter.

Beyond nature, Pu Mat is also captivating for its unique culture of the Thai, H'Mong, and Dan Lai people, creating a majestic and deeply local tapestry.

Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve

The Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve covers approximately 68,000 hectares of natural forest and 32,000 hectares of Tri An lake.

Visitors explore the primeval forest at Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve. (Photo: VNA)

This is the core zone of a UNESCO-recognized world biosphere reserve, serving as the “green lung” of the Southeast region, notable for its diverse ecosystem and home to many rare plant and animal species.

According to statistics, the Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve has a total of 1,552 higher plant species, 166 families, 95 orders, 10 classes, across 6 phyla, with 43 species listed in the IUCN Red List (2015), 36 species in Vietnam's red book (2007), and 11 endangered, rare species. Additionally, the reserve has 103 valuable medicinal plant species that need genetic protection and development.

Not only diverse in plant species, the Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve is also rich in wildlife, with 1,817 animal species. The mammal class includes 85 species, 27 families, and 10 orders, with 36 rare and endemic species of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, including gaur, banteng, elephants, sun bears, dholes, and notably, the last wild elephants of Vietnam.

This area is also a “red address” with three national-level revolutionary historical sites: Suoi Linh tunnels, the Southern Central Committee, and the Eastern Nam Bo Region Committee. The Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve is an attractive tourist destination, offering visitors many opportunities for exciting and meaningful exploration and experiences.

Xuan Thuy National Park

Located about 160 kilometers from Hanoi, Xuan Thuy National Park (Ninh Binh province) spans over 7,100 hectares and is the first Ramsar site (an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands) in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, recognized since 1988.

The spoon-billed sandpiper, listed as endangered in the international red book, appears with only 40 individuals annually in Xuan Thuy National Park. (Photo: VNA)

This is a valuable wetland area at the mouth of the Red river, serving as a crucial stopover for tens of thousands of international migratory birds.

Xuan Thuy boasts a diverse ecosystem including tidal flats, mangroves, and sand dunes, home to many rare waterbird species such as the spoon-billed sandpiper, grey-legged pelican, and black-faced spoonbill. Besides birds, the park also has a rich seafood source, providing livelihoods for coastal communities.

Alongside nature, this land also preserves the distinctive cultural imprints of the Red river delta inhabitants with traditional craft villages, festivals, and coastal villages rich in identity.

In 2004, UNESCO recognized Xuan Thuy as the core zone of the Red river delta biosphere reserve.

Today, it is an attractive destination for nature lovers, eager to explore the wetland ecosystem and witness the massive flocks of migratory birds returning each winter.

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