03/08/2021
Biosphere reserve (BR) should first exhibit real procedure “Preserving the nature, the cultural identity, promoting historical values and being closely linked to sustainable social economic development in the local region”. It is important to divide a BR into functional zones which implement fully key objectives and principles: (i) The core zone consisting of biodiversity, natural landscape, cultural and scientific elements which need to be strictly protected; (ii) The buffer zone is aimed toward socioeconomic goals and promote positive effect on the core zone; (iii) The transition zone is supposed to implement sustainable development, improve the livelihood for local people, enhance economic prospects, maintain and demonstrate typical characteristics of a BR in terms of natural landscapes, natural resources, culture, history, typical products. A system of BRs contains various conditions, forming elements to create different ecotourism products.
Features of 8 world BRs in Việt Nam and its potential for ecotourism:
|
No |
Name and location |
Natural features |
Social - humanity and historical features |
|
1 |
Cần Giờ Mangrove BR, Hồ Chí Minh City |
- Typical mangroves - Estuary landscape, coastal Southern Delta |
Using natural resources in fishing and production activities under the mangrove forest canopy
|
|
2 |
Đồng Nai BR, Đồng Nai, Bình Phước, Lâm Đồng, Bình Dương and Đắk Lắk provinces |
- Typical South Trường Sơn mountain range - Landscape typical in Eastern South Typical landscape, various wild life
|
- Longstanding community identity, relics of typical Óc Eo culture - Typical cultural identity of South of Tây Nguyên |
|
3 |
Cát Bà BR, Hải Phòng |
- Unique geological feature: KARST - Limestone island has natural uniquely green forest, an important feature of the whole Hạ Long Bay. - Endemic animals: Cát Bà Langurs |
- Relics of ancient Vietnamese - Island communities with agricultural and fishing village - High value local products - Traces of cultural and historical identity |
|
4 |
Red River Delta BR, Thái Bình, Nam Định and Ninh Bình |
- The phenomenon of the Red River alluvial sedimentation -Mangroves, rich habitats, adaptation of various bird species |
- Communities explore new lands in coastal estuaries - Coastal cultural identities and cultural identities of Northern Delta and Red River - Different craft coastal village |
|
5 |
Kiên Giang BR, Kiên Giang |
- Island, Phú Quốc, the largest island in Việt Nam - Diversified geographical landscape. - Natural rainforest - Wild life habitat on the forest and on the sea |
- Eastern coastal cultural identity - Characteristic of economic expansion - History of expanding Southern border |
|
6 |
Western Nghệ An BR, Nghệ An |
- North Trường Sơn mountain, upstream of Cả River diversified landscape - Naturally green forest, high bio diversity, different wild rare animals |
- Indigenous communities, - Cultural diversity - Many local high value products |
|
7 |
Cù Lao Chàm - Hội An BR, Quảng Nam |
- Naturally green forest, typical island landscape - Typical geographical formation, spectacular landscape |
- Longstanding communities. - Typical island town - Unique cultural identity, festivals and craft village. |
|
8 |
Mũi Cà Mau BR, Cà Mau |
- Cửu Long River alluvial sedimentation - Typical acidic mangroves |
- Typical communities living in sedimented lands - Agriculture, fishing and forestry |
The 8 BRs spread along the country, lying on differing naturally geographical characteristics, exhibits distinct local cultural features. Based on available BRs, tourism products vary and appeal to different kinds of tourists (sightseeing, experiencing nature, exploring, scientific research, resort…). It is possible to conduct an ecotour across 8 BRs. Especially with the study tour featuring ocean, sea preservation, geography, biodiversity, typical landscape. The operation of different stages of such tour within a BR will be smooth, consistent. Ecotourism within BRs has viable conditions to accommodate various demands of tours in terms of nature and humanity.
Tràng An Tourist area, Ninh Bình Province
The 8 BRs spread along the country, lying on differing naturally geographical characteristics, exhibits distinct local cultural features. On the basis of available BRs, tourism products vary and appeal to different kinds of tourists (sightseeing, experiencing nature, exploring, scientific research, resort…). It is possible to conduct an ecotour across 8 BRs. Especially with the study tour featuring ocean, sea preservation, geography, biodiversity, typical landscape. The operation of different stages of such tour within a BR will be smooth, consistent. Ecotourism within BRs has viable conditions to accommodate various demands of tours in terms of nature and humanity.
Võ Trí Chung - Trần Thị Hồng Gấm
(Source: Vietnam Environment Administration Magazine, English Edition II - 2021)
