Pu Mat National Park, located in the central province of Nghe Anand classified as a World Biosphere Reserve (the largest in SoutheastAsia ) by UNESCO in April, has long been known for its bio-diversity.
Covering 1.3 million ha, the park includes the Pu Huong and Pu Hoatreserve zones, creating a 500km green corridor along side the Vietnam– Lao border.
Le Thanh Do, responsible for tourismpromotion of the park, told the English-language daily Vietnam News thatthe park receives around 9,000 visitors per year on average.
"The high peak tourism season falls between April and September," he said adding, "two thirds of tourists are foreigners."
In co-operation with local tourism agencies, the park has developed atourist map linking Cua Lo Beach, Kim Lien village (hometown ofPresident Ho Chi Minh) and Pu Mat National Park.
Do saidthat, apart from the 30 rooms for rent inside the park itself andhundreds of privately-owned hotels in nearby Con Cuong town, additionalaccommodation and entertainment services were essential in managinggreater tourist numbers.
Established in 2001, Pu Mat parkhosts 896 different species of plants, 220 valuable herbs, hundreds ofvegetables and fruits, 241 types of mammals, 137 types of birds and 25types of reptiles. The forest is also the habitat of the largest herd ofelephants in Vietnam as well as endangered animals such as the ‘SaoLa” (a rare species of twin-horned wild cattle), tiger, panther andleopard.
Located 25km from Con Cuong town, the 500m highKhe Kem Waterfall has always been popular among tourists, resembling awhite silk scarf against the green canopy of the forest.
Lying 40km from the park main office along the Tuong Duong - Ky Sonroute, the peaceful valley is covered by thousands of 20-40m high “SangLe” trees, which belong to the family of “Bang Lang” (Lagerstroemiaspeciosa).
"The valley, filled with violet blossoms insummer, has inspired countless poems and songs based on the romanticbeauty of its green and whitish grey colours," Do said, adding that"although many have called it the Green Valley, he prefers the nameViolet Flower Valley."
The Sang Le forest hosts both recognisable and unknown trees, luring both domestic and foreign scientists, according to Do.
The forest, currently covering 70ha, will expand to 300ha under newpark management plans, help protect local residents against flooding,prevent soil erosion and save water for community consumption.
Nguyen Thanh Nhan, director of Pu Mat National Park, said that localThai ethnic minority from nearby Quang Thinh village, which tourists areallowed to visit along with close lying caves, have done much toprotect the Sang Le forest.
According to Nhan, the parkpresents a perfect backdrop for preserving the traditional weaving art,dance and gong playing of the Thai; the art of playing lip instrumentsand bamboo flutes by the Mong; water rice agriculture of the Tay Poong;sitting-sleeping customs of the Dan Lai and traditional dancing andsinging of the Kho Mu.
As many as seven ethnic groups with a combined population of more than 800,000 are currently living in the park, Nhan added.
Ho Duc Phoc, chairman of the Nghe An provincial People's Committee,admitted that local authorities faced a problem in creating a balancebetween preserving biodiversity and natural resources, promoting socialeconomic development and maintaining the traditional cultural values oflocal ethnic groups./.
Covering 1.3 million ha, the park includes the Pu Huong and Pu Hoatreserve zones, creating a 500km green corridor along side the Vietnam– Lao border.
Le Thanh Do, responsible for tourismpromotion of the park, told the English-language daily Vietnam News thatthe park receives around 9,000 visitors per year on average.
"The high peak tourism season falls between April and September," he said adding, "two thirds of tourists are foreigners."
In co-operation with local tourism agencies, the park has developed atourist map linking Cua Lo Beach, Kim Lien village (hometown ofPresident Ho Chi Minh) and Pu Mat National Park.
Do saidthat, apart from the 30 rooms for rent inside the park itself andhundreds of privately-owned hotels in nearby Con Cuong town, additionalaccommodation and entertainment services were essential in managinggreater tourist numbers.
Established in 2001, Pu Mat parkhosts 896 different species of plants, 220 valuable herbs, hundreds ofvegetables and fruits, 241 types of mammals, 137 types of birds and 25types of reptiles. The forest is also the habitat of the largest herd ofelephants in Vietnam as well as endangered animals such as the ‘SaoLa” (a rare species of twin-horned wild cattle), tiger, panther andleopard.
Located 25km from Con Cuong town, the 500m highKhe Kem Waterfall has always been popular among tourists, resembling awhite silk scarf against the green canopy of the forest.
Lying 40km from the park main office along the Tuong Duong - Ky Sonroute, the peaceful valley is covered by thousands of 20-40m high “SangLe” trees, which belong to the family of “Bang Lang” (Lagerstroemiaspeciosa).
"The valley, filled with violet blossoms insummer, has inspired countless poems and songs based on the romanticbeauty of its green and whitish grey colours," Do said, adding that"although many have called it the Green Valley, he prefers the nameViolet Flower Valley."
The Sang Le forest hosts both recognisable and unknown trees, luring both domestic and foreign scientists, according to Do.
The forest, currently covering 70ha, will expand to 300ha under newpark management plans, help protect local residents against flooding,prevent soil erosion and save water for community consumption.
Nguyen Thanh Nhan, director of Pu Mat National Park, said that localThai ethnic minority from nearby Quang Thinh village, which tourists areallowed to visit along with close lying caves, have done much toprotect the Sang Le forest.
According to Nhan, the parkpresents a perfect backdrop for preserving the traditional weaving art,dance and gong playing of the Thai; the art of playing lip instrumentsand bamboo flutes by the Mong; water rice agriculture of the Tay Poong;sitting-sleeping customs of the Dan Lai and traditional dancing andsinging of the Kho Mu.
As many as seven ethnic groups with a combined population of more than 800,000 are currently living in the park, Nhan added.
Ho Duc Phoc, chairman of the Nghe An provincial People's Committee,admitted that local authorities faced a problem in creating a balancebetween preserving biodiversity and natural resources, promoting socialeconomic development and maintaining the traditional cultural values oflocal ethnic groups./.
