Hoang Lien National Park: A conservation center for valuable medicinal plants

Likened to a "green jewel" nestled within the majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range, Hoang Lien National Park is not only one of Viet Nam's foremost centers of biodiversity but also a cradle for numerous scientific research projects of strategic significance.

Identifying genetic resource conservation as a core mission, Hoang Lien National Park has implemented a series of urgent research projects in a synchronous and effective manner throughout 2026. Under the gene fund project "Research on the Utilization and Development of Asarum cordifolium Genetic Resources," the unit has completed all documentation required for project acceptance and submitted it to the National Agency for Science and Technology Information and Statistics and the Ministry of Science and Technology in accordance with regulations, achieving 100% of the planned progress.

Meanwhile, the project "Conservation and Propagation of Eucommia ulmoides at Hoang Lien National Park" has also recorded positive growth indicators. The Management Board has organized intensive care and closely monitored the growth of 8,500 medicinal plants, including 1,000 one-year-old trees, 7,000 two-year-old trees, and 500 trees aged 5-7 years.

In particular, to advance the sustainable development of one of the nation’s most valuable medicinal herbs, the 2026 pilot cultivation and care plan for Vietnamese ginseng has been actively implemented. The program includes seed sowing in an area of 500 m² and the successful replanting of 700 ginseng roots at the age of 4-7 years in a dedicated nursery area.

Beyond its conservation mission, Hoang Lien National Park has also undertaken a range of activities associated with social responsibility. A notable example is the project "Supporting Livelihood Recovery Following Typhoon No. 3 in 2024 through the Development of Vietnamese Ginseng and Lingzhi Mushroom at Hoang Lien National Park," which has brought new opportunities to communities living in the buffer zone.

The project successfully organized introductory sessions in the communes of Ta Van and Ban Ho. At the same time, it implemented the propagation of Vietnamese ginseng and Lingzhi mushrooms for direct distribution to local residents. With comprehensive technical guidelines on the cultivation and care of Lingzhi mushrooms carefully prepared, the project achieved 100% of its scheduled targets, laying a solid foundation for green economic recovery in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Additionally, in the first six months of 2026, the Biodiversity Museum of Hoang Lien National Park continued to effectively perform its role as a visual conservation space and an environmental education bridge. Maintenance and upgrades of exhibition rooms were carried out on a periodic basis. The collection of animal and plant specimens has been regularly inspected, ensuring optimal preservation conditions.

The museum has also become a trusted destination for leading research institutions. The unit completed documentation and assigned technical staff to coordinate and complete detailed reports on in-depth cooperation with two research teams from the Institute of Biology, which conducted surveys on bat species and their habitat conditions within the protected sub-zone. The issuance of permits for a research team from the Center for Environment and Community Assets Development to conduct field surveys on amphibians was also completed promptly and in full compliance with regulations.

In particular, international cooperation continues to serve as an important driver enabling Hoang Lien National Park to access advanced global management standards. A notable activity was the reception and coordination of two expert delegations from Nouvelle-Aquitaine (French Republic) working in Lao Cai Province.

Within the framework of the cooperation program between Lao Cai Province and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region for the 2025–2027 period, the Park successfully implemented specialized training courses on first aid, search, and rescue in mountainous terrain. Certificates were awarded to trainees, contributing to the standardization and overall enhancement of the capacity of local patrol and rescue forces.

The comprehensive achievements across various sectors in the first six months of 2026 provide a solid foundation for the Management Board of Hoang Lien National Park to continue implementing key tasks in the second half of the year. The harmonious combination of strict conservation, high-level scientific research, sustainable livelihood development, and expanded international cooperation will help maintain a green ecosystem worthy of being an invaluable natural heritage for present and future generations.