Double effect from Xuan Thuy mangrove forest
The intersection of rivers and sea has created a diverse tidal creek system, with abundant aquatic species, contributing significantly to local economic development.
More than 15,000 hectares of mangrove forests in Xuan Thuy National Park are like a natural green shield to prevent natural disasters and create livelihoods for local people. However, economic and tourism activities have not been organised in large-scale chains in recent times. Efforts to build a brand to be recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park are expected to change the face of this area.
Livelihoods from mangrove forest
Xuan Thuy mangrove area has a diverse open ecosystem, with many rare species of organisms and animals.
The park is home to more than 200 species of vascular plants belonging to 145 genera and 65 families, including 14 main species of mangroves, mangroves, sycamores, mangroves, rhizophores, and vine species with the largest numbers and areas. Up to 110 species of zooplankton were recorded; 385 species of invertebrates, 155 species of fish, 427 species of insects... The park has many aquatic species of high economic value. Notably, this place is also an important stopover and wintering place for migratory waterfowl, so the Xuan Thuy National Park is also known as "International Bird Station" or "Paradise" of birds.
The results of surveys and inheritance of research results on birds in the Xuan Thuy National Park have recorded 222 species of birds belonging to 42 families in 12 orders, including 166 species of migratory birds... many rare species of waterfowl are listed in the International Red Book. Many bird species have chosen this place as a stopover on their annual migration route of thousands of miles to winter and avoid the heat. Notably, the Xuan Thuy National Park is home to the largest population of spoonbills in Vietnam.
The mangrove forest of the park has a diverse ecosystem with many rich aquatic species. This has created jobs and livelihoods for local people.
In recent years, people in the communes in the buffer zone of the Xuan Thuy National Park have taken advantage of natural conditions and mangrove forests to grow rice, expand aquaculture, and beekeeping for honey to boost economic development.
Development opportunities from the title "ASEAN Heritage Park"
Vu Quoc Dat, Deputy Director of the Xuan Thuy National Park, said that Xuan Thuy has a diverse ecosystem, creating favourable conditions for people to develop the economy and aquaculture. The Park regularly coordinates with local authorities, villages, and hamlets to propagate so that each person increases awareness of preserving and conserving mangrove forests, developing sustainable livelihoods. However, this area is also under a lot of pressure from the use of alluvial grounds and natural water surface areas for exploitation and aquaculture.
Tourism activities are mainly spontaneous and there is no project to develop eco-tourism and resorts. Tourism infrastructure is degraded, unsynchronized, and cannot meet development needs.
Director of the Xuan Thuy National Park Doan Cao Cuong said that the park is striving to meet the criteria to be recognised as an "ASEAN Heritage Park" in 2025, becoming an important conservation area in the region, preserving intact the wetland ecosystem in the coastal estuary area, especially endangered and rare wild animals and plants. This is also a trend to connect ASEAN world heritage in the digital age and promote Vietnamese tourism to attract domestic and international resources, contributing to promoting socio-economic development.
