CaliToday (01/10/2025): Regarded as the precious "green lung" of the Mekong Delta, the Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve is a sanctuary of biodiversity, conserving over 330 plant species and 206 animal species, many of which are on the Red List of threatened species. Now, an ambitious plan is underway to transform this pristine wilderness into a world-class eco-tourism destination, balancing conservation with sustainable development.
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| Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve with its wild beauty |
Located in Phuong Binh commune, now part of Can Tho city, the nearly 2,800-hectare reserve is one of the most significant wetland ecosystems in the Hau River basin. Its defining characteristic is its rare, tranquil, and untouched wilderness, providing a vital habitat for hundreds of species of flora and fauna, including a remarkable array of rare water birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
A Sanctuary of Biodiversity
Lung Ngoc Hoang is a treasure trove of life. It is home to an astonishing 330 plant species and 206 animal species, a number of which are listed in Vietnam's Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List. The reserve's high biodiversity includes 59 mammal species, 100 insect species, 75 fish species, and 72 bird species.
Among the rare and protected wildlife, visitors can find birds such as the Grey-faced Buzzard, Asian Openbill, and Painted Stork. The reserve also provides a safe haven for mammals like the Smooth-coated Otter and Crab-eating Mongoose, alongside other rare species including the Mangrove Horseshoe Crab, the Southeast Asian Box Turtle, and the Yellow-headed Temple Turtle.
The landscape is a rich tapestry of cajuput forests, swamps, and a diverse network of rivers and canals. This not only gives the reserve immense ecological value but also allows it to play a crucial role in regulating the regional climate and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Exploring the Ecological Zones
The reserve is divided into distinct ecological areas to manage conservation and visitor experiences effectively:
The Strictly Protected Zone: This is the pristine core of Lung Ngoc Hoang, a landscape of untouched wilderness rich in biodiversity. It serves as a sanctuary for the genetic preservation of endemic flora and fauna, with human impact kept to an absolute minimum.
The Ecological Restoration Zone: This area is dedicated to scientific experimentation and the restoration of the wetland ecosystem. Researchers have collected numerous rare and valuable medicinal plants here. A highlight of this zone is a unique 0.4-hectare, 40-year-old cajuput forest, which is home to rare pythons and hundreds of wild honeybee colonies.
A Vision for Sustainable Eco-Tourism
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| Lung Ngoc Hoang" is "God's flooded land". Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong |
To preserve and promote the value of this unique ecosystem, an ambitious eco-tourism development project, initially approved in 2021 and updated in early 2025, is now moving forward. The local government has committed to a plan with a total investment of over 526 billion VND (approximately US$21 million) to develop Lung Ngoc Hoang into a premier destination for education, scientific research, and immersive visitor experiences.
The timeline for selecting an investor runs from March 2025 to April 2026. Key steps include reclassifying forest areas, preparing technical documents for leasing the forest environment, and conducting feasibility studies for eco-tourism, resort, and entertainment projects.
The development will focus on creating key tourism products such as:
Ecological resort and wellness tourism.
Tours for experiencing and exploring the wetland's nature.
Weekend excursions and outdoor activities.
Local authorities are actively creating favorable conditions to attract investment, including streamlining procedures and potentially providing partial counterpart funds to support infrastructure development. The goal is to create a model for sustainable tourism that respects the environment while creating economic opportunities and improving the lives of the local population.
Thế Anh