U MINH THUONG – AN ECO-FRIENDLY AND EMISSION-FREE DESTINATION IN THE SOUTHERN FOREST LAND

U Minh Thuong National Park is among few places which preserves the original ecosystem of the Southern forest land. As part of Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve and ASEAN Heritage Park, U Minh Thuong National Park is recognized as the 8th Ramsar site of Vietnam, with precious ecosystems of peatlands, wetlands and its Melaleuca forest. U Minh Thuong is also home to many endemic wildlife species and globally endangered species. Contributing to its value, U Minh Thuong preserved culture from prehistoric times and being the war zone during resistance wars in Vietnam. These natural, cultural and historical values will be an important foundation for tourism development, generating additional revenue for conservation and communities in the buffer zone. Despite strong potentials, tourism activities in U Minh Thuong have not been implemented in a methodical and sustainable way due to tourism infrastructure being underdeveloped, lack of resources, promotion and connection strategies to attract investors as well as tourists.

In order to harness its tourism potentials, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperates with U Minh Thuong National Park Management Board to develop a tourism development plan for the 2022 – 2030 period. Within its vision, the plan promotes ecotourism, natural-based solutions and natural harmonization as well as local culture through tourism experiences, educational and outreach activities.

With years of supporting forest owners in the Southern forest land and Vietnam as a whole, especially national parks and nature reserves, CCD is jointly developing and promote sustainable, responsible tourism, contribute to revenue stability for manage, restore and conserve biodiversity