Vietnam has 3 more national parks recognized as ASEAN Heritage Parks

Vietnam has just had 3 more national parks recognized as ASEAN Heritage Parks at the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment (AMME-18) held in Langkawi, Malaysia. This event not only affirms Vietnam's efforts in conservation, but also opens up great opportunities for sustainable ecotourism development.

Rare silver-cheeked gibbon at Pu Mat National Park. (Photo: ITN)

The event took place in early September, when ASEAN leaders and Environment Ministers approved the recognition of six new ASEAN Heritage Parks, bringing the total number of protected areas to 69.

Of these, Vietnam has 3 representatives, including: Pu Mat National Park (Nghe An), Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve and Xuan Thuy National Park (Ninh Binh). With a total of 12 heritage parks, Vietnam is among the countries with the most ASEAN Heritage Parks in the region.

At AMME-18, delegates reaffirmed their commitment to working together for a sustainable future. Malaysia’s Acting Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Mr. Johari Abdul Ghani, highlighted key priorities such as strengthening regional cooperation and developing a common position for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).

A herd of gaurs and elk living in Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve. (Photo: ITN)

On the Vietnamese side, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh shared about Vietnam's outstanding achievements in environmental protection and climate change response and called on ASEAN countries to take stronger actions. Vietnam is currently ranked 51/165 countries in sustainable development and is actively participating in many environmental initiatives of the bloc.

In addition, the Conference also noted progress in developing the ASEAN Strategic Plan on the Environment after 2025 (ASPEN) and the ASEAN Climate Change Strategic Action Plan (ACCSAP).

Xuan Thuy National Park. (Photo: ITN)

These plans will serve as a guide for future cooperation efforts. The meeting also agreed to hold the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) in Vietnam in 2026.

With the addition of three new national parks, Vietnam not only strengthens its position as a prominent natural tourism destination, but also demonstrates its active role in the conservation and sustainable development of the region.

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/viet-nam-co-them-3-vuon-quoc-gia-duoc-cong-nhan-la-cong-vien-di-san-asean-1757392738653.htm