Developing ecotourism in Gia Lai unlocks unique natural values.

Gia Lai is asserting its advantage of a pristine green plateau with many unique scenic spots. Building on this foundation, the province is steadfastly choosing the path of developing ecotourism linked with conservation, gradually expanding its growth potential, aiming to make tourism a crucial economic pillar in the new term.

In the final months of the year, the Kon Ka Kinh Nature Reserve welcomed a delegation of Gia Lai provincial leaders for a field visit to survey the current state of the forest, ecosystem, and to discuss the development of ecotourism .

After nearly an hour trekking through the forest, witnessing firsthand the biodiversity and rare pristine beauty, the Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, Pham Anh Tuan, marveled at the unspoiled natural landscape.

“It can be said that Kon Ka Kinh National Park is a treasure bestowed by nature not only upon Gia Lai, but also upon Vietnam and the world . Today, a delegation comprising representatives from various departments, agencies, and tourism units is conducting a survey to find solutions that both preserve and promote its tourism value, while also inviting international friends to explore this stunning biosphere reserve,” said Mr. Pham Anh Tuan.

Mr. Pham Anh Tuan - Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee (third from the left) and leaders of various units of Gia Lai province visit Kon Ka Kinh National Park. (Photo: Nguyen Thao)

According to Mr. Ngo Van Thang, Director of Kon Ka Kinh National Park, the park is one of the most representative ecosystems of the Truong Son mountain range.

With hundreds of species of large trees, rare animal populations, and many stunning natural trekking routes, Kon Ka Kinh has the full potential to become a unique ecotourism destination in Gia Lai.

In the future, the unit's orientation is to develop ecotourism, helping to create sustainable tourism livelihoods for local people and contributing to sustainable forest protection.

Mr. Ngo Van Thang affirmed: “In the coming time, we will strengthen management and protection to preserve the landscape and forest values ​​for conservation purposes; at the same time, we will enhance coordination with travel agencies to develop some products, services and infrastructure to serve tourists; experiment with some educational and research-oriented tours; and promote the image of the park to institutes and universities. We will also develop dossiers and projects to propose investment in completing infrastructure to best serve tourists.”

The squirrel happily lives in its natural environment in Kon Ka Kinh. (Photo: Nguyen Ai Tam - FZS)

Within the same scenic tourism ecosystem as Kon Ka Kinh is the Dak To Pe terraced rice field system (Kdang commune), not far from Plei Ku city. In the afternoon sun, the entire space seems to burst with interwoven patches of yellow, green, and brown, creating a magnificent plateau landscape.

This beauty has gradually made the place a popular stop for tourists to visit, check in, and take photos. Recognizing its potential, the Party Committee and government of Kdang commune, Gia Lai province, are gradually orienting the development of community-based tourism and experiential tourism linked to its unique natural landscape.

Ms. Le Thi Hue, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairwoman of the People's Council of Kdang commune, said: "With the advantage of having pristine and unique tourist landscapes such as the Dak To Pe terraced rice fields and Doi Waterfall, Kdang commune is also planning to develop local tourism in the coming period. The terraced rice fields have existed for hundreds of years along with the farming practices of the local people. This is not only a means of production but also an ecological and cultural heritage that the province needs to preserve."

The Three-Tiered Waterfall in Kbang district, Gia Lai province, attracts many tourists. (Photo: Nguyen Thao)

Currently, the western plateau of Gia Lai province possesses great potential for ecotourism development with unique and distinctive scenic spots of the vast forest. Lake Bien Ho – the "eyes of Pleiku" – always holds a special place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Its calm surface reflects the clouds and sky, and the rows of centuries-old pine trees create a scene that is both majestic and serene.

Not far from there, the Chu Dang Ya volcano is a favorite destination for young people, photographers, and locals every time the wild sunflowers bloom.

Nguyen Viet Cuong, a photographer from Hanoi, shared his impressions upon his first visit to this area: “I was very impressed and surprised by the beauty here. I hope that the local authorities will soon develop this place into a tourist area to become an attractive and ideal destination for tourists.”

To create momentum for development, in recent years, Gia Lai has invested in improving transportation infrastructure to key conservation areas and scenic spots; reorganizing spontaneous services at "check-in" points; and simultaneously improving the quality of community guides and standardizing the process of welcoming visitors at ecotourism destinations.

The primeval forest in the Kon Ha Nung plateau (Gia Lai province) boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with tens of thousands of species.

Thanks to expanded promotional activities, Gia Lai has become more prominent on inter-regional tourism routes between the Central Highlands and the Central Coast, creating a diverse network of products ranging from trekking, forest exploration, and agricultural experiences to lake, mountain, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the province aims to welcome over ten million tourists, a significant portion of whom will come from ecotourism in the western part of the province.

According to Ms. Do Thi Dieu Hanh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province, tourism has been identified as one of the province's key economic sectors during the 2026-2030 period.

“Focus on preserving and promoting cultural values ​​and historical landscapes. Focus on building and promoting the tourism brand, focusing on connecting East and West, developing beach tourism, community tourism, and experiential tourism. Finally, create human resources for tourism development and create unique tourism products for the future,” Ms. Do Thi Dieu Hanh affirmed.

Developing ecotourism is opening up a sustainable path for Gia Lai, ensuring the preservation of nature, the awakening of local values, and the creation of long-term livelihoods for the people. It also forms the foundation for Gia Lai's future development of a green and sustainable local economy.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/phat-develop-du-lich-sinh-thai-gia-lai-mo-nhung-gia-tri-tu-nhien-doc-nhat-20251217095413128.htm