Whenever Ninh Thuan tourism is mentioned, the first things coming to mind are winding mountain passes, green beaches and pristine islands. In addition, this strip of sunny and windy land holds Phuoc Binh National Park - a place known as a "giant air conditioner" that carries the breath of nature, majestic mountains and forests. Once you go there, you will never forget it.
Phuoc Binh National Park stands out as an idyllic ecological destination
Breath of tempting nature
Phuoc Binh National Park was established under the Prime Minister’s Decision 822/QD-TTg dated June 8, 2006 on transforming Phuoc Binh Nature Reserve into Phuoc Binh National Park in the system of special-use forests in Vietnam, said its Deputy Director Nguyen Ngoc Minh. This place is covered by more than 80% of the natural forest and a rich diversity of natural landscape. Currently, the tourism sector and authorities are developing Phuoc Binh National Park into a unique community tourism destination in Ninh Thuan province, especially promoting eco-tourism development and creating good livelihoods for residents in the buffer zone.
Visitors will be extremely impressed with the wild mountains and forests, mixed with a bit of mystery. They can admire and observe giant forest trees, birds, primates, gaurs, blooming orchids and unique plants.
More wonderfully, the climate reminds one of the highlands. Even in the dry season, the forest remains very green and shallower streams reveal giant underwater rocks. Visitors also have the chance to trek along the 11km Gia Nhong Stream - Da Ban Waterfall - Ba Deck Waterfall tour or join the trekking to Da Den Waterfall and Ham Xe Lua Waterfall on the 20km long Da May Lake, or cross 18km forest road to the top of Hon Chan Peak at an altitude of 1,978m.
Furthermore, visitors will be impressed with small villages located in peaceful valleys and stilt houses leaning against hills. They can immerse themselves in the cultural space, customs and practices of local dwellers; enjoy and experience the sound of the Cha-pi instrument blended with the echoing sound of the rock instrument alongside the gurgling sound of Chapot Waterfall; and put on traditional costumes of the Raglai people. These also suggest opening eco-tourism development, combined with indigenous culture, for the locality to create better livelihoods for the community.
“In the coming time, Phuoc Binh National Park will train local communities to guide ecological, cultural and historical tours and community cultural experiences; coordinate with businesses to ensure a stable output market for handicraft products; preserve and develop the medicinal profession of local people and turn medicinal plants into tourist specialties," he said.
Focus on scientific research
In 17 years of operation, Phuoc Binh National Park has effectively protected forest resources, conserved biodiversity and actively contributed to local socioeconomic development and nature conservation in the special-use forest system of the country. In the first nine months of 2023, the park welcomed more than 10,000 visitors to study and explore.
The total natural area allocated by Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee to Phuoc Binh National Park Management Board is 25,000.59 ha, including 19,607.67 ha of special-use forest land, 5,281.94 ha of protective forest land, and 110.98 ha of commercial forest land. The park currently has six main vegetation types and eight vegetation subtypes. This vegetation protects the environment and provides water sources for downstream areas of the province. The park has 1,338 plant species and 347 animal species, with many listed in the Vietnamese and World Red Books.
Minh added that, determining scientific research as a key task, the board has coordinated with related agencies, universities, domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to conduct scientific projects. Currently, the board is carrying out two important projects: "Preserving and developing genetic resources of Humphreya endertii mushroom originated from Phuoc Binh National Park" and "Conserving and sustainably using F1 hybrid gaur genetic resources between domestic cows (Bos taurus) and male gaurs (Bos gaurus) in the 2021 - 2025 period".
Building appealing ecotourism and resort destinations
However, Phuoc Binh National Park still faces difficulties and obstacles that need to be resolved. Lying in the most difficult, remote area of Ninh Thuan province, it is hard for the park to attract quality human resources. In addition, the board does not have a specialized force to protect forests as prescribed in Decree 01/2019/ND-CP; the board arranged three employees to manage and protect forests, and promptly prevent violations of forest resources.
The board proposed four effective solutions to adapt to actual situations: Increasing the participation of all social sectors in jointly managing and protecting forests; Strengthening cooperation in conservation and development of genetic resources, basic surveys as a database to improve the effect of forest management and protection, law enforcement and biodiversity conservation; Reviewing, supplementing and perfecting tourism products according to Decision 460/QD-UBND like nature discovery, experiential traveling, culture, art, cuisine and customs of the Raglai ethnic group, historical tourism, hybrid gaur farm discovery, entertainment and sports tourism; medical treatment, meditation and yoga.
Besides, the board reviewed and completed four tourist routes; added Route 5: Central Headquarters - Raglai Cultural Village - Ta Giang Plateau - Yen Ngua Hill - Lavan Waterfall - Wuthering Wind Hill and routes to Trefoil forest and Po Mu forest. It also focused on three training solutions; cooperated and advertised tourism products; and adopted solutions for coordination in ecotourism development.
“We are making efforts to inform and educate local people and tourists about natural, cultural, historical and humanistic values of the project area, thus raising public awareness of protecting natural resources and environment, preserving indigenous culture and ethnic identity. We are improving skills for managerial personnel and providing ecotourism services; creating a legal basis to attract investment for building and developing sustainable tourism," he said.
The key strategy of the Management Board in the coming time is to expand the forest area to Song Cai Lake; intensify forest management and protection, raise natural forest quality indicators to meet the carbon credit market in Vietnam; strengthen scientific research on biodiversity conservation; care about plant and animal species prioritized for protection and important habitats; and focus on research and development of sustainable livelihood models to support local communities.
The board will apply the latest technology and train human resources; expand the participation of local communities in ecotourism to build Phuoc Binh National Park into a biodiversity conservation site and an attractive ecotourism destination in the future.
By Han Luong, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
