Tapping Xuan Thuy Ramsar treasure for sustainable ecotourism

Tourism development linked with conservation of an international Ramsar site

The People’s Committee of Ninh Binh Province has issued Decision No. 590/QD-UBND approving a plan to develop ecotourism, resorts and recreational services at Xuan Thuy National Park for the 2026–2030 period.

The project will be implemented across 7,110 hectares within the national park.

Total investment is estimated at VND 464 billion (about $18 million). State funding will mainly be used for infrastructure, management and forest conservation, while additional capital will be mobilized through partnerships, cooperation and leasing of forest environments to develop ecotourism services.

The plan aims to gradually position Xuan Thuy National Park as a key ecotourism destination in the northern Red River Delta while effectively tapping the biodiversity value of the internationally recognized Ramsar wetland.

Under the development orientation, tourism activities will be organized to ensure a balance between conserving mangrove forests and coastal tidal flats and promoting local economic development through distinctive tourism products.

According to the plan, Xuan Thuy is expected to become one of Viet Nam’s and the Asia-Pacific region’s leading destinations for observing migratory birds. With extensive mangrove ecosystems and hundreds of rare bird species, the area has strong potential for nature-based tours, biological research activities and specialized ecotourism experiences.

Beyond attracting visitors, the project also aims to generate sustainable revenue for conservation through partnership models, leasing of forest environments and development of ecotourism services. These revenues will support forest management and protection while improving livelihoods for coastal communities.

Three tourism hubs and four ecotourism routes

The plan will be implemented across more than 7,110 hectares managed by Xuan Thuy National Park and will establish three main ecotourism sites: an administrative and service center at the park headquarters covering about 10 hectares, the Con Ngan ecological experience site, and a botanical garden experience area.

At the same time, four signature ecotourism routes will be developed and operated. These include an estuary cruise route, a migratory bird-watching route, a field ecology experience route and a trekking route combined with rural exploration linked to local culture. These tourism products are expected to provide diverse visitor experiences in the coastal estuary landscape.

Currently, Xuan Thuy National Park has already developed several tourism routes, including estuary boat tours, bird-watching tours, field excursions and rural exploration tours for visitors.

The bird-watching route allows visitors to observe migratory birds, particularly rare and endangered waterbirds. Meanwhile, the rural exploration route highlights the distinctive architecture and cultural life of coastal communities in the Red River Delta.

Recently, the park has also introduced experiences that showcase local livelihoods as well as tours exploring mangrove forest vegetation.

Visitor numbers have remained relatively stable. During the tourism season, the park receives around 1,500–2,000 visitors per month. During the April 30 and May 1 holiday period, about 4,500 visitors arrive, while annual arrivals average between 20,000 and 25,000.

According to the development roadmap, Xuan Thuy National Park aims to welcome around 28,000 visitors annually by 2027 and attract at least two investors to participate in ecotourism services. By 2030, the number of visitors is expected to reach around 80,000 per year, along with about three strategic investors participating in sustainable ecotourism development.

Located at the Ba Lat estuary where the Red River flows into the sea, Xuan Thuy National Park plays an important role in protecting coastal ecosystems and supporting biodiversity in northern Viet Nam. The park’s extensive tidal flats, mangrove forests and wetlands provide critical feeding and resting grounds for thousands of migratory birds traveling along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway each year. In addition to its ecological significance, the area also supports traditional livelihoods such as clam farming, fishing and aquaculture for local communities. Authorities say sustainable tourism development will help balance conservation efforts with economic opportunities while raising public awareness about the importance of wetland protection.

Xuan Thuy National Park is the first Ramsar site in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. It is also a UNESCO biosphere reserve and an ASEAN Heritage Park, featuring typical coastal estuarine wetland ecosystems and widely regarded as the largest “international bird station” in northern Vietnam.

* $1 = VND 26,293 (Vietcombank, March 14, 2026)