Perfect solution for the green economy through forest tourism

Touching peace

Leaving behind the city's noise, crossing the Dong Nai River, and stepping into Cat Tien National Park, visitors seem to pass through a curtain of time into a pristine wilderness where nature takes center stage.

In the early morning mist, as we stepped onto the boat crossing the Dong Nai River, what caught our eyes was not an elaborate sign or a solid concrete gate. The entrance to Cat Tien National Park welcomed us with nothing more than two old clumps of bamboo swaying gently in the breeze. This simplicity was the first “code” revealing the park’s philosophy of preserving the forest in its natural state.

Here, visitors seem to leave behind the bustle of urban life, quiet their minds, and prepare to enter the “shared home” of countless species and nature. This minimalist first encounter vividly captures the spirit of ecotourism beneath the forest canopy.

Amid more than 71,000 ha of wilderness, the sound of wind rustling through the canopy, birds flitting between branches, monkeys squabbling over food, and the occasional earthy scent of damp soil drifting through the morning air seem to soothe the mind.

Nearly 14 years since my last visit, Cat Tien National Park is no longer merely the “green lung” of the southeastern region. It has become a symbol of successful ecotourism beneath the forest canopy, where nature conservation and local livelihoods move in harmony.

Beneath the lush green canopy, ecotourism at Cat Tien National Park bears little resemblance to rough concrete structures or bustling entertainment complexes. Instead, it embodies a profound humility before the laws of nature. Here, ancient trees form the roof, grass and rustling dry leaves become the pathways, and every sound of wildlife becomes a melody.

This philosophy is summed up in a few words on wooden signs hung along the entrance: the forest is home to wildlife, and visitors should not litter. That is why visitors to Cat Tien National Park seem not to come to “conquer” or “exploit” nature, but to immerse themselves in its pristine beauty and allow their souls to listen to the deep, quiet breaths of the ancient forest.

The Cat Tien National Park Nature Museum is more than a place for preserving specimens. It is also a space that tells the layered stories, both painful and proud, of Viet Nam’s natural heritage. Every display bears the marks of time, vividly portraying the contrasting sides of wild nature and human intervention.

When the ancient forest speaks

Specimens of bears left severely disabled after being caught in hunters’ traps, rescued by forest rangers with their paws cut off, stand as haunting reminders of the cruelty of illegal hunting. Their reconstructed eyes seem to hold a silent sorrow.

The museum also displays the skeleton of the last rhinoceros, regarded as the collection’s saddest “treasure.” The pristine white skeleton, carefully assembled piece by piece, belonged to the last Javan rhinoceros known to have lived in Viet Nam. The animal was shot and had its horn removed in 2010.

Standing before the silent skeleton, visitors cannot help but feel a profound sense of loss at the permanent disappearance of a rare species from Viet Nam’s biological map.

The museum also preserves numerous specimens of gaur, leopard cats, wild cats, as well as hundreds of endemic bird and insect species. Each specimen serves as a vivid witness, celebrating the rich biodiversity of the forest while delivering a stern reminder of our responsibility to protect the environment, so that the green spaces of Cat Tien will never have to witness such suffering again.

Hoang, a tour guide, said: “Ecotourism beneath the forest canopy here means that every experience must follow the natural shade, leaving hundreds-year-old trees, tangled vines, and the habitats of wildlife undisturbed. This is the magical element that shapes the visitor experience.

Cat Tien National Park’s ecotourism model has succeeded by carefully preserving and transforming its existing biodiversity into unique, immersive, and educational experiences. Every journey through the forest is like turning the pages of an open book, revealing something fascinating and unexpected at every step.”

According to Pham Xuan Thinh, Director of Cat Tien National Park, the number of visitors to the park has increased by around 50% annually over the past three years. Domestic tourism has grown particularly strongly, with a significant rise in student groups visiting for outdoor and nature-based experiences compared with previous years.

This trend reflects the growing desire among tourists to reconnect with nature, as well as increasing demand among students to learn about the natural world through educational experiences that foster greater awareness and responsibility for nature conservation. The number of international visitors has also increased by 15-20%.

The park has upgraded its tourism services and products, including the installation of 600 tree identification signs along visitor routes. Tourists can scan QR codes to learn more about individual tree species. Visitors come to the park not only for recreation but also to gain a deeper understanding of nature, which in turn helps foster a greater sense of responsibility for and appreciation of the natural world.

As afternoon approaches, the fairytale-like Bau Sau, nestled deep in the heart of the forest, emerges like a tranquil emerald jewel beneath the vast sky. As sunset descends, the water reflects a silvery-grey hue, while hundreds of rare crocodiles raise their heads above the surface, offering vivid evidence of the park’s successful ecosystem restoration. Nearby, visitors can admire thousand-year-old tung trees, their enormous roots winding like ribbons of clouds, alongside towering wild crape-myrtle trees that seem to bear the weight of time itself.

Late afternoon on the banks of the Dong Nai River, as the last rays of sunlight bathe the old bamboo groves in gold and the songs of forest birds gradually fade, giving way to the nocturnal symphony of insects, anyone who has visited Cat Tien will feel an extraordinary sense of peace. The ecotourism model beneath the forest canopy at Cat Tien National Park is not merely a successful economic and environmental equation, but also a vivid green poem about the bond between people and the Earth. The forest remains there, casting its protective shade and opening its arms to those who return to understand, cherish, and learn to live in harmony with nature.

As darkness falls, visitors traveling along shaded forest trails in open vehicles may catch the glistening eyes of deer, muntjacs, civets, or wild boars quietly grazing under specialized lights. It is a moment when people can fully sense the vibrant rhythm of wild life unfolding right beside them.

It is no coincidence that the ecotourism model at Cat Tien National Park has become a prominent destination on the international tourism map. At a recent award ceremony organized by the Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN), the park received four major international awards, including the highest honor for Biodiversity Conservation, as well as awards recognizing Destination Management, Ecotourism Promotion, and Outstanding Community. Together with its IUCN Green List status, Cat Tien has demonstrated that Viet Nam is fully capable of developing ecotourism that meets some of the world’s most rigorous standards.

The success of the green economy model, ecotourism beneath the forest canopy at Cat Tien National Park, is not measured solely by revenue figures, but by its remarkable balance with nature. Here, people learn to stand in awe and humility before the ancient forest.