The four other honoured areas are Xuan Thuy National Park (Ninh Binh province), Pu Mat National Park (Nghe An province), Con Dao National Park (Ho Chi Minh City) and the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve (Dong Nai province).

The certification was presented at the 8th ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference held in Ha Long city of Quang Ninh province from December 2-5 by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, with support from the European Union and the German government.

The event brought together regional park authorities, conservation experts and international organisations, to promote regional cooperation in biodiversity conservation.

Themed “ASEAN Heritage Parks: ASEAN’s Contribution to Achieving the Biodiversity Plan,” the conference focused on nature-based solutions, climate resilience, sustainable resource management and community involvement in conservation. Sessions included plenary discussions, technical workshops, exhibitions and field trips showcasing successful models in biodiversity protection.

From 11 original sites when the ASEAN Heritage Parks programme began in 1984, the network has now grown to include 69 designated sites across the region, and it expects to have more with the recent accession of Timor-Leste to ASEAN.

Vietnam currently has 15 sites recognised as ASEAN Heritage Parks, playing an important role in implementing the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2024 ASEAN Biodiversity Plan.

A glimpse of 15 celebrated ASEAN Heritage Parks in Vietnam

VOV.VN - Vietnam currently leads Southeast Asia with 15 ASEAN Heritage Parks, highlighting the country’s strong commitment to biodiversity conservation.