Bach Ma National Park affirms ASEAN Heritage Park status

At the eighth ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference (AHP8) held from December 2 - 5, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment officially presented the ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP) certificate to Bach Ma National Park (Hue).

“Since being recognized as an AHP in October 2022, Bach Ma has remained committed to AHP-standard management, using data-driven evidence as the foundation to promote community engagement and foster responsible ecotourism. Mobilizing diverse and sustainable resources is also one of our key tasks,” said Nguyen Vu Linh, Director of Bach Ma National Park.

The approved Sustainable Forest Management Plan 2022-2030 and the Ecotourism Development Plan 2024-2030 provide a strategic framework for conservation, habitat restoration, and improving livelihoods in the buffer zone. The METT 4.1 tool is applied periodically, with scores rising 2 - 3% per year, reflecting continuous improvements in management effectiveness. SMART Mobile, GIS, satellite imagery, and drone systems are routinely operated, allowing patrol plans to be adjusted based on risk. Staffing is organized by job position, financial management is transparent, and internal inspections have revealed no violations related to anti-corruption measures.

Forest protection (FP) and forest fire prevention and control (FFPC) have been strengthened. Between 2023 and 2025, the park conducted over 18,000 routine patrols and 1,442 long-term enforcement missions, removed 5,468 animal traps, dismantled more than 217 illegal camps, and documented 16 forestry violations. One thing to note is that Bach Ma has recorded zero forest fires over the past three years, thanks to multi-level FFPC drills and close inter-agency coordination. Rangers have also strengthened community ties by employing 43 local workers across 11 stations and contracting an average of 6,000 ha of forest protection per year to more than 15 communities.

Meanwhile, digital transformation and science-technology have become foundational. All ranger stations are equipped with digital devices, with real-time monitoring of fire alerts and forest-cover changes. Bach Ma has piloted AI-based species identification through camera traps (Wildlife Insights), radio-tracking for golden box turtles after release, and AI-assisted data analysis and reporting. More than 30 domestic and international institutes and universities have conducted field studies, discovering and publishing 14 new species and adding over 73 species (50 plant, 23 animal) to the park’s checklist. Camera traps have recorded the return of Asian black bears and Owston's civets. The populations of pangolin, antelope and other primates are also on the rise.

From 2023 to 2025, Bach Ma received 66,742 visitors (18,315 international), generating more than VND 3.5 billion in ticket revenue. The park has developed themed tours such as conquering Do Quyen Waterfall, birdwatching, nature experience for students, and wildlife conservation charity runs. Under the 2024 - 2030 plan, Bach Ma has signed forest-environment leasing contracts with 10 enterprises at 13 designated sites/routes, ensuring benefit-sharing with local communities.

Community engagement and environmental education have been deepened, including livelihood support for 41 buffer-zone villages (VND 40 - 50 million per village per year), an average of 600 public broadcasts annually on FP/FFPC regulations, and household-level commitment agreements concerning high-risk individuals.

The park has piloted carbon storage under an Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA), generating more than VND 6 billion per year, along with annual forest environmental service payments averaging VND 6.5 billion. During 2023 and 2025, approximately VND 18 billion in public investment supported rescue infrastructure and forest protection. International projects (VFBC, GIZ, etc.) have provided equipment and training for SMART, camera traps, drone monitoring, GIS, radio-tracking, and AI applications.

“AHP is an international title. Being recognized does not guarantee financial investment; it affirms the park’s regional heritage value. AHP sites must consistently follow AHP criteria to guide operations, enhance management, and achieve more sustainable biodiversity conservation,” said Director Nguyen Vu Linh.

In the coming years, Bach Ma National Park aims to upgrade its monitoring systems based on Big Data and AI, expand co-management with buffer-zone communities, enhance restoration of key habitats, strengthen rescue-breeding-release programs for priority species, promote responsible ecotourism under the 2024 - 2030 plan, and improve financial sustainability under the 2025 - 2030 strategy.

“With concrete results and commitments, Bach Ma affirms its role as a model AHP of Vietnam and the region, making meaningful contributions to ASEAN biodiversity conservation linked with sustainable agriculture and environmental development,” said the national park’s representative.