Protecting Ru Cha mangrove forest on Tam Giang Lagoon

A rare primeval forest

The Ru Cha mangrove forest, located in Thuan Hoa Hamlet (formerly Huong Phong Commune, now Hoa Chau Ward), about 15 km from the center of Hue City, lies at the lower reaches of the Huong River, near the Thuan An estuary. It is the only remaining primeval mangrove forest on the Tam Giang–Cau Hai Lagoon system, the largest lagoon complex in Southeast Asia.

The forest originally covered more than 4 hectares, consisting mainly of large old chá trees with deep roots anchoring into the soil. Later, the area was expanded through the planting of additional mangrove species.

With its rare, pristine, and poetic beauty, Ru Cha attracts a large number of visitors every year. People come for different purposes: student groups and researchers for field studies, while many tourists choose Ru Cha to immerse themselves in nature and find relief from the stresses of daily life.

The forest was also the site of a successful pilot model by Hue City’s Agricultural Extension Center, which combined aquaculture of black tiger shrimp, crabs, and mullets. This initiative helped local fishermen improve their livelihoods, stabilize their income, and actively participate in forest protection.

Recognizing Ru Cha's unique ecological and environmental values, local authorities have actively promoted awareness campaigns to encourage residents to protect the forest.

At the forest entrance, Hoa Chau Ward has set up signs urging visitors to dispose of trash properly, while the environmental company has installed waste bins at key locations. On weekends, the ward’s Youth Union regularly organizes Green Sunday activities to clean up and collect waste in Ru Cha.

According to the Hue City Forest Protection Department, Ru Cha is vital to the wetland ecosystem. This rare primeval forest also serves as a “green wall” that helps minimize natural disaster damage, protects dikes, and strengthens resilience to climate change impacts.

In 2020, Thua Thien Hue Province (now Hue City) approved a project for mangrove forest development in the former Hương Phong Commune. The aim is to strictly protect existing forests and preserve the biodiversity of the mangrove ecosystem, especially Ru Cha.

Developing eco-tourism

Overall, Ru Cha's “green lung” has not yet reached its full potential compared to the advantages of the Tam Giang–Cau Hai Lagoon region. In the context of increasing environmental challenges, population pressures, and the growing complexity of storms, floods, and climate change, its role has become even more significant.

Vo Viet Duc, Vice Chairman of the Haa Châu Ward People’s Committee, noted that Ru Cha is not only ecologically valuable but also holds potential for community-based and eco-tourism development. In early September 2025, the ward cooperated with enterprises to explore directions for investment and development of Ru Cha as an eco-tourism destination.

Specifically, businesses proposed several ideas for eco-tourism development at Ru Cha, such as lagoon-based culinary services, community tourism linked with local cultural experiences, environmental education and discovery programs, and ecological landscape exploration. Enterprises also expressed their commitment to partnering with local authorities in structured, professional investments that leverage Ru Cha’s natural advantages while ensuring sustainable conservation of its landscape and environment.

“The orientation for tourism development is tied to community benefits, creating additional livelihoods for local people, while safeguarding the mangrove forest. This plan is being actively pursued and refined by local authorities, with the hope that Ru Cha will become one of Hue’s signature destinations in the near future,” Duc shared.

It is noted that in June 2020, within the framework of the project “Conservation of Critical Wetland Areas and Linked Landscapes” funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tam Giang–Cau Hai Wetland Nature Reserve was established. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) is the project’s managing agency, and Ru Cha is one of the designated sites under the reserve, prioritized for protection.

Recently, the Hue City People’s Committee approved a project to plant and expand the Ru Cha mangrove forest, with a total projected investment of 73 billion VND from the city budget. The plan aims to increase the forest area from over 30 hectares to nearly 50 hectares during 2025–2027. The project will reforest 17.29 hectares of mangroves, with giá trees as the primary species, complemented by bần chua, đước đôi, nipa palm, vẹt dù, and vẹt khang, creating a vibrant four-season landscape.

The city also plans to build an Observation Tower and a Fishing Gear Museum in the heart of the forest to serve scientific research, education, and eco-tourism. In addition, infrastructure will be comprehensively developed, including 2.7 km of forest trails, a water channel connecting to the Tam Giang Lagoon, parking areas, lighting systems, and fire prevention and control facilities.

“Hue City aims to develop projects and programs for Ru Cha that link conservation with promoting socio-economic development and other local sectors. This will create new momentum for tourism growth in Hue while contributing to climate change adaptation,” emphasized Hoang Hai Minh, Vice Chairman of the Hue City People’s Committee.