Vietnam Ecotourism

What is Ecotourism? Definition of TIES: Ecotourism is: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

Principles of Ecotourism:
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:

• Minimize impact.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
• Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.

Vietnam Ecotourism:
Lying on the eastern part of Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam retains an impressive wealth of natural environment ranging from mountain to marine. The area of mountain and sea account for ¾ of total area, there are 107 special use forests with the total area of more than 2.3 million hectare, including 24 National parks, 61 natural reserve and 34 cultural, historical and environmental forests. Thus, Vietnam has more advantage in developing eco-tourism than other countries in the region.

Ecosystem in Vietnam: Coral Reef Ecosystem; Costal sandy ecosystem; Dry forest ecosystem; Tropical Forest ecosystem; Mangrove forest ecosystem; Ocean and Islands ecosystem; High mountains and lakes ecosystem; Agricultural ecosystem.

Type of ecotourism activity in Vietnam: Study tour; Forest walking; Mountain climbing; Visit to ethnic minority villages; Sea diving; White water rafting/ sea kayaking; Adventure trip; Bird watching; Visit to fruit gardens; Boating/ cruising
Camping/hiking; Fishing and hunting….

Vietnam National Parks List!
1. Ba Be (Bac Kan - 1992)
2. Ba Vi (Ha Tay -1991)
3. Bach Ma (Thua Thien Hue - 1991)
4. Ben En (Thanh Hoa - 1992)
5. Bu Gia Map (Binh Phuoc - 2002)
6. Cat Ba (Hai Phong – 1991. was recognized as World Biosphere Reserve in 2004)
7. Cat Tien (Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Lam Dong – 1992; was recognized as the World Biosphere Re­serve in 2001)
8. Cham Chim (Dong Thap - 1998)
9. Chu Mom Ray (Kon Tum - 2002)
10. Chu Yang Sin (Dak Lak - 2002)
11. Con Dao (Ba Ria Vung Tau - 1993)
12. Cuc Phuong (Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh - 1962)
13. Hoang Lien (Location: Lao Cai Province; Establish: 2002. ASEAN Declaration on Heritage Parks and Reserves, Yangon Myanmar, 18/12/2003 & ASEAN Heritage Park list)
14. Kon Ka Kinh (Gia Lai - 2002)
15. Lo Go Sa Mat (Tay Ninh - 2002)
16. Phong Nha - Ke Bang (Quang Binh – 2001; was recognized as World Natural Heritage Site in 2003)
17. Phu Quoc (Kien Giang - 2001)
18. Pu Mat (Nghe An - 2001)
19. Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen - 1996 )
20. U Minh Thuong (Kien Giang - 2002)
21. Vu Quang (Ha Tinh - 2002)
22. Xuan Son (Phu Tho - 2002)
23. Xuan Thuy (Nam Dinh – was declared Vietnam's first Ramsar Site in January 1989 by UNESCO)
24. Yok Don (Dak Lak - 2002)
Vietnam travel

Planting rice in Mu Cang Chai

On arriving in Mu Cang Chai in June, visitors will have a fantastic view of local ethnic minority people working the terraced paddy fields. Mu Cang Chai is located in a remote mountainous district in the northern province of Yen Bai. Its terraced paddy fields are amazingly beautiful at this time of year.

And on the mid-September to beginning of Octobor, Visitors will see local people havest ripen-rice plus amazing "yellow" valley. The terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai mountainous district in northern Yen Bai Province have been recognised as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

(Excerpt: VOV)