Department of Agriculture and Environment: Appraisal of the Project on Ecotourism, Resort, and Recreation in the U Minh Ha National Park Special Use Forest until 2030

On December 12, 2025, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau province issued a report on the appraisal results of the project on ecotourism, resort, and recreation in the U Minh Ha National Park special-use forest until 2030, as a basis for submission to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration within its authority. According to the report, the project was developed in accordance with the Forestry Law, the Tourism Law, the Biodiversity Law, the Environmental Protection Law, the Land Law, and other relevant legal documents; and also ensures consistency with the Sustainable Forest Management Plan of U Minh Ha National Park for the period 2021–2030. The scope of ecotourism, resort, and recreation activities is defined in two functional zones with a total area of ​​1,318.5 hectares, including the Administrative Service Zone (743.6 ha) and a part of the Ecological Restoration Zone (574.9 ha). The construction area for tourism facilities is 37.18 hectares, equivalent to 5% of the administrative service zone, ensuring compliance with the ratio stipulated by law on forestry and ecotourism in special-use forests. Ecotourism, resort, and entertainment activities are organized in 6 functional areas, including: a visitor reception area; an ecotourism area; a botanical and animal collection garden and medicinal herb garden; a recreated forest village and traditional craft village area; a resort area; and a commemorative tree planting area. Internal and inter-regional/inter-provincial connecting tourist routes are determined in accordance with natural conditions and the current state of the forest. Construction of tourism facilities is carried out on vacant land, grasslands, and land with shrubs that are not capable of forest regeneration; Using environmentally friendly materials, low-rise, dispersed buildings with heights not exceeding the forest canopy, building density not exceeding 5%, lifespan of 10 to 20 years, and full compliance with legal regulations.

U Minh Ha National Park - Ca Mau (image from a collection)

The total investment for the project is VND 1,458,959 million, of which VND 5,200 million comes from the state budget and VND 1,453,759 million from socialized capital. By 2030, the project aims to attract approximately 300,000 visitors, create jobs for 150 workers, contribute to the conservation of the U Minh Ha melaleuca forest ecosystem, protect biodiversity, and promote local economic development.
The implementation of the ecotourism , resort, and recreation project in the U Minh Ha National Park special-use forest contributes to promoting the value of the special-use forest associated with the conservation of the melaleuca forest ecosystem and biodiversity; rationally exploiting the potential of ecotourism in accordance with the law; and at the same time creating jobs, increasing income, and promoting local economic development in a sustainable and harmonious manner between conservation and development.

Source: https://sonnmt.camau.gov.vn/tin-hoat-dong/so-nong-nghiep-va-moi-truong-tham-dinh-de-an-du-lich-sinh-thai-nghi-duong-giai-tri-trong-rung-da-292301