Van Long - from swamp to the first Green Book title in Southeast Asia

Ninh Binh - From a swampy, year-round flooded area that no one knew about, Van Long lagoon (Ninh Binh) has now been approved and certified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as the first Green List in Southeast Asia and has become the most famous tourist area in Ninh Binh.

Both preserving and developing tourism

Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve has an area of about 3,500 hectares, this is considered the largest inland wetland in the Northern Delta, an area with high biodiversity with 457 species of higher plants (8 species listed in the Red Book), 39 species of animals (12 rare animals, including the White-rumped Langur with the largest population in Vietnam).

Sunset scene on Van Long lagoon. Photo: Manh Thang

After more than 20 years of conservation and development, Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve has been honored to be recognized as the 9th Ramsar site of Vietnam; approved by the Global Green List Committee (IUCN) and certified as the first Green List of Vietnam and Southeast Asia. This is the clearest evidence of the conservation results achieved as well as its contribution to global biodiversity goals.

After becoming a nature reserve, from 2002 to 2004, tourists began to come to enjoy the landscape.

Mr. Tran Xuan Quang (residing in Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh) - who is known as "eating at home, carrying the prison and the village" for Van Long for nearly 3 decades - shared: In 2002, there were no motels or hotels in Van Long, so to retain visitors, people had to take tourists to each resident's house to sleep and take care of them. Also during that period, the main road connecting National Highway 38B to Van Long was being expanded and was muddy, people along the route both voluntarily donated land to build the road and focused on arranging motorbikes to the main road to pick up tourists from cars to motorbikes to visit.

Mr. Tran Xuan Quang proudly talks about the achievements that Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve has achieved over the past two decades. Photo: Dieu Anh

Thanks to the unity and cooperation of the people of Gia Van commune in both conservation and tourism development, in 2007 - 2008, the total number of international visitors to Van Long reached over 90,000 visitors/year.

"We, the people of Thap Ninh village, Gia Van commune, are always conscious of joining hands to participate in the conservation and protection of Van Long from negative impacts. Currently, Van Long has become a key national tourist area, owning two records: "The place with the largest number of white-cheeked langurs" and "The place with the largest natural picture", we are very proud" - Mr. Quang shared.

Step by step comprehensive development of tourism types and products and services

Talking to Lao Dong reporter, Ms. Vu Thi Duoc - Vice Chairman of Gia Vien District People's Committee - said, we always highly appreciate the spirit and responsibility of Gia Van commune community who have actively participated in protecting, preserving and developing Van Long tourism brand. Having today is a great effort of the people.

"There are few places where the community is united and actively participates in conservation work for decades like in Van Long, so many organizations and research groups from many countries around the world have come here to study and research," said Ms. Duoc.

Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve was approved and certified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as the first Green List in Southeast Asia. Photo: Manh Thang

Also according to Ms. Duoc, in the coming years, in the new context, new development trends, more opportunities and challenges, Gia Vien district will continue to closely follow the policies and orientations for tourism development of the Party, the State and the province, and well implement Resolution No. 07-NQ/TU dated October 29, 2021 of the Executive Committee of the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee on tourism development in Ninh Binh province for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Step by step comprehensively develop quality tourism products and services, imbued with the cultural identity of the land and people of the Ancient Capital such as: Exploiting the "Return to the Roots" tour route; Green Van Long combined with the "Green Tourism Week", "Green Gift Box", "Green Sunday" campaigns... thereby contributing to building Ninh Binh into a "safe - friendly - quality - attractive" destination.

Laodong.vn