Vietnam has three more national parks recognized as ASEAN Heritage Parks.

Vietnam has just had three 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 the sustainable development of ecotourism.

The rare silver-cheeked gibbon species 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 three representatives: 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 cooperation for a sustainable future. Malaysia's Acting Minister for Environment and Sustainable Resources, Johari Abdul Ghani, highlighted key priorities such as strengthening regional cooperation and building a common position for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP30).

Herds of wild buffalo and deer live in the Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve. (Photo: ITN)

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

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

Xuan Thuy National Park. (Photo: ITN)

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

With the addition of three newly recognized 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