Pu Mat National Park recognized as ASEAN Heritage Park

At the ASEAN Environment Ministers Meeting, Pu Mat National Park was recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park. This will further expand the path of green economic development for the province's tourism industry, especially in the Southwest regions.

Precious title

Mr. Le Anh Tuan - Director of Pu Mat National Park said that in the World Heritage Parks Forum held this coming November, Pu Mat National Park will be honored as an ASEAN Heritage Park.

Previously, on September 3, 2025, at the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18), Pu Mat National Park was officially honored as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP). Along with Pu Mat National Park, Vietnam also has Dong Nai Cultural and Nature Reserve and Xuan Thuy National Park (Ninh Binh) which were also honored on the same day.

Head of the Vietnamese delegation, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh (5th from left) took a group photo with delegates at the AMME-18 Conference in Langkawi (Malaysia). Photo: CSCC

“ The recognition of Pu Mat as an ASEAN Heritage Park is not only an honor but also a milestone for the future. This is the result of the persistent efforts of the unit as well as Nghe An departments and branches to meet international standards for heritage parks.

This title is also an affirmation and motivation for the unit, together with all levels of industry, local community and people, to unite to preserve and promote unique natural heritage, contributing to building the image of a green, sustainable Nghe An and connected with world civilization", - Mr. Le Anh Tuan affirmed.

To be recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park, a nature reserve must fully and strictly meet the criteria of integrity, representativeness, naturalness, national and regional conservation significance; have an approved management plan, and be recognized by national law; and may have additional criteria of transboundary, unique, or cultural-ecological connection.

The beauty of Pu Mat National Park. Photo: Quang Dung

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Vietnam is one of the countries with the largest number of recognized ASEAN Heritage Parks in Southeast Asia. To date, together with Pu Mat National Park, Vietnam has 15 Heritage Parks. ASEAN Heritage Parks have made an important contribution to the conservation of genetic resources, ensuring sustainable use of ecosystems; maintaining natural areas of cultural and educational value, and raising awareness of biodiversity conservation among the people of ASEAN countries.

Upgrading potential and advantages for tourism and environmental protection

Since 2017, Nua village, Con Cuong commune (formerly Yen Khe commune) has been selected by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a location to sponsor community tourism development. With support in terms of thinking and skills, Nua villagers have continuously developed eco-tourism associated with homestays imbued with local identity. Nua village is also located in the conservation area of ​​Pu Mat ASEAN Heritage Park.

People in the buffer zone of Pu Mat National Park preserve traditional occupations and promote community tourism and eco-tourism. Photo: Hoai Thu

Developing ecotourism in a sustainable direction is a type of tourism that brings the most sustainable economic development benefits to local residents not only in Nghe An, Vietnam but also around the world. Developing ecotourism not only helps people protect ecological environmental resources, but also contributes effectively to the preservation and promotion of unique local features. Pu Mat National Park tourist area is a place with great potential for natural landscapes, combined with unique cultural characteristics to develop sustainable ecotourism. In particular, with the recognition as an ASEAN Heritage Park, Pu Mat National Park has more advantages to promote, attract tourists, promote economic development of tourism associated with green growth, environmental protection.

Pu Mat National Park is located in the Northern Truong Son ecological region and is named after the highest mountain peak in the region - Phu Mat peak at 1,841m. Tourists coming to Pu Mat National Park will admire the wild beauty of the upstream primeval forests of Khe Thoi, Khe Bu, Khe Choang, Cao Veu... with the highest biodiversity in Vietnam with many rare species of animals and plants.

Pu Mat National Park has one of the highest biodiversity in Vietnam with many rare species of animals and plants. Forces join hands to preserve the pristine natural environment, support ethnic minorities to develop the economy, and protect the environment. Photo: Archive

Pu Mat National Park also has 2,500 plant species belonging to 160 families and nearly 1,000 species of wild animals. The endemic elements of the bird and mammal fauna in Pu Mat National Park include up to 12 species (for Vietnam and Laos), among which are typical species such as: Chivao, Black Langur, Saola, Large-antlered Muntjac, Truong Son Muntjac, Red-shanked Douc, Yellow-cheeked Gibbon, Striped Rabbit, Owston's Civet, Crested Pheasant, Long-billed Laughingthrush...

In addition, in terms of species conservation, Pu Mat is not only a national-scale area but also valuable for Laos and Indochina. What is particularly important is that the populations of some bird and animal species that are in real danger of extinction in Vietnam and the world still have the potential to be preserved and developed if Pu Mat National Park is well managed and protected, such as Elephants, Tigers, Sao La, Gaur, Truong Son Mang, Striped Rabbit, Zebra Civet, Sun Bear, Asiatic Bear, Crested Pheasant.

Identifying the above advantages, in recent times, Nghe An province has taken many measures to exploit and develop Pu Mat National Park tourist area in a sustainable direction such as: Promoting and promoting eco-tourism in the area; implementing preferential mechanisms and policies to attract businesses to invest in the tourism sector; strengthening regional linkages to develop tourism; investing in building cultural villages associated with community tourism development such as Nua village community tourism area; Khe Ran village community tourism area; Khe Kem waterfall eco-tourism area...

Coming to Nghe An to participate in the Marathon races in Pu Mat Nature Reserve (Con Cuong), the French tourist group had the opportunity to experience the beautiful landscape and enjoy the specialties of Nghe An. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

After nearly 40 years of implementing development planning (1986 - 2025), Pu Mat National Park has attracted a large number of tourists to visit. With the achieved results, currently, Pu Mat National Park Management Board is actively coordinating with localities and provincial authorities to continue implementing solutions to improve the quality of tourism in the area, making Pu Mat National Park the most attractive eco-tourism destination in Nghe An province.

Mr. Le Anh Tuan - Director of Pu Mat National Park said: In October 2025, Pu Mat National Park launched a bidding for organizations and individuals to rent forest environments for ecotourism and recreation business in Pu Mat National Park for the period 2024 - 2030, with a vision to 2050. In November 2025, the World Heritage Parks Forum will take place. Here, Pu Mat ASEAN Heritage Park will be officially announced, honored and implement connection activities, enhance the value of conservation and exploitation of tourism development as well as protect the natural environment. In particular, the focus will be on connecting to implement the strategic goals of the ASEAN Heritage Parks Program such as building agreements between ASEAN Heritage Parks and relevant parties to preserve heritage and develop tourism.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/vuon-quoc-gia-pu-mat-duoc-cong-nhan-la-cong-vien-di-san-asean-10308907.html