Vietnam's MPAs

Stretching over 3,200km kilometers in length, with countless stunning landscapes given by Mother Earth, Vietnam is one of Asia’s most diverse and fascinating countries.  
Along with coastline, Vietnam’s sea is the habitat for more than 11,000 marine species that provide resources for fisheries and tourism as well as valuable samples for scientific studies. However, Vietnam’s “silver seas” now are in peril.  The marine environment is seriously affected by pollution, overexploitation, etc,…that consequently lead to biodegradation, destroy marine ecosystem and the economic loss.
Therefore, marine protected areas (MPAs) play an important role in helping protect marine habitat. They also assist in restoring the productivity of the oceans and prevent further degradation.
In 2010, a plan of establishing 16 marine protected areas (MPAs) has ben approved by the Prime Minister of Vietnam. According to the result published in National Workshop on solutions for MPAs Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE), ten over sixteen MPAs have been established so far. Please refer to each MPA icon below for more information:

🐳 Bai Tu Long MPA

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Bai Tu Long MPA was established in 2001, located in Bai Tu Long National Park, Quang Ninh province. Known for its biodiversity, from coral reefs to seagrass beds, the MPA covers an area of over 150.000 km square with 100 km square of marine area. Bai Tu Long has more than 1200 marine species, 21 of which are rare species listed in the Red List such as sea turtles, dolphins, abalone, giant clams, etc. The MPA also cooperates with many international organizations to implement conservation projects such as turtle, biodiversity conservation as well as community ecotourism development and environmental education.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al. (2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.
MPA Website: http://vuonquocgiabaitulong.vn/vi/trang-chu/

🌴 Ha Long Bay MPA

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Ha Long Bay is not only recognized as a World Cultural Heritage but also for its wonderful natural wonders gifted by Mother Nature. Ha Long Bay MPA is located in the bay’s world heritage site, established in 1995 with an area of 1533 km square. The MPA is home to more than 300 species of fish, 139 species of seaweed, 234 species of coral and a number of seagrass species. The bottom-dwelling mollusc ecosystem is abundant with 545 species. Ha Long Bay is like a large school as people can learn about the wonders of nature and join hands to protect the beauty of the ocean. There are a number of well-known international cooperation projects on conservation and environmental protection such as “Action for Green Ha Long Bay” (IUCN) or JICA (Japan) which are regularly implemented to work toward a green Ha Long.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al. (2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.

MPA Website: http://www.baoquangninh.com.vn/du-lich/201305/bao-ton-da-dang-sinh-hoc-vinh-ha-long-2196448/  

🐢Cat Ba MPA

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Cat Ba National Park was established in 2010 and is considered a green carpet full of natural mysteries in Vietnam, earning the title UNESCO’s World Biosphere Reserve. Located inside the National Park, Cat Ba MPA was established in 2010, with an area of about 200 km square which marine area accounted for 109 km square. Research shows that Cat Ba MPA is home to 43 species of seaweed, 147 species of coral and 195 species with high economic value such as ocean sunfish, snapper, tuna, and other marine creatures. In addition, conservation work has been implemented and strengthened through biodiversity conservation projects supported by other countries such as France, the Netherlands, and Australia.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al. (2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.
MPA Website: http://www.vuonquocgiacatba.com.vn/trang-chu

🐳Con Co MPA

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Con Co MPA, located in Dong Ha city, Quang Tri province, was established in 2009. The MPA is not large, only about 45 km square, but it contains a marine ecological treasure, with nearly 60 species of seaweed, 227 fish and 113 species of coral and a diverse range of coral reef fish. This area contains coral reefs of high economic value such as black coral, frogspawn coral, lobsters, clams, tortoises, etc. Every year, the MPA’s Management board organizes Turtle Conservation Program in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and other biodiversity conservation activites.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al. (2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.
MPA Website: http://baotonbienconco.blogspot.com/

🌴Cu Lao Cham MPA

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Cu Lao Cham MPA, located in Quang Nam province, was established in 2005 with an area of only over 20 km square, but it contains a rich marine life reserve. Recognized by UNESCO as the World Biosphere Reserve in 2009, Cu Lao Cham has become a famous marine tourism destination attracting great scientific interest in its nearly 280 species of coral and coral reef fish, 80 species of seaweed, 100 species of molluscs, echinoderms, abalone, etc. Moreover, famous for its beautiful beaches such as Chong beach, Huong beach, etc., Cu Lao Cham attracts a great number of tourists every holiday occasion who come to enjoy resort activities. The management board is tightening its regulations to ensure the MPA’s nature conservation and biodiversity.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al. (2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.
MPA Website: http://culaochammpa.com.vn/index.php?lang=en

🌴Nha Trang Bay MPA

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Nha Trang Bay MPA, located in Khanh Hoa province has a marine area of 122km square over 160km square in total. Established in 2001, Nha Trang Bay MPA consists 9 beautiful islets such as Hon Tre, Hon Mun, Hon Tam...which are known as popular tourism spots. With abundant marine ecosystem of 200 coral reef fish species, more than 350 coral species – made this MPA among the richest coral ecosystem in Vietnam. Moreover, Nha Trang MPA is home to 120 mollusc, 70 crustacean species, seaweed, etc. The richness and abundance in ecosystem of the bay contribute to the value of biodiversity, fisheries resources as well as economic benefits from sustainable tourism. A number of international cultural, political events, conferences, meetings…was also held by the MPA area.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al. (2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.
MPA Website: http://khanhhoa.gov.vn/

🐳Nui Chua MPA

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Nui Chua MPA belongs to Nui Chua National Park which is known one among the largest national parks in Vietnam with area of 298 km square. Established since 2008, there are 350 coral species included 46 unique ones in Vietnam, 260 coral fish species, 115 mollusc species and 24 crustacean species, etc. In addition, every year, there are around 10 sea turtles deliver eggs in Nui Chua MPA.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al. (2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.
MPA Website: http://www.vqgnuichua.vn/

🐢Hon Cau MPA

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Hon Cau MPA located in Binh Thuan province, established in 2011 with area of 125km square. It is not only home of 163 seaweed, 46 crustacean species and more than 200 fish species but also has diverse coral reefs ecosystem with 234 species and sea turtles – known as endangered species. Similar to Nui Chua, Hon Cau provides beaches for sea turtles nesting during every breeding season, ranging from Vinh Tan to Binh Thanh. In addition, marine conservation programs (i.e sea turtle conservation...) have been implemented and strengthened in partnership with Global Environment Fund (GEF). However, recently, ocean pollution problem in Hon Cau has captured special attention from community since the explosion incident at Vinh Tan 4 thermal power plant.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al. (2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.
MPA Website: https://www.facebook.com/Khu-B%E1%BA%A3o-T%E1%BB%93n-Bi%E1%BB%83n-H%C3%B2n-Cau-677678855644228/

🌴Con Dao MPA

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Con Dao MPA was established in 2002, as a part of Con Dao National Park in Ba Ria- Vung Tau. Con Dao has total area up to 294 km square with 230km square of marine area. The conservation area is not only recognized with magnificent sightseeing but also for its plentiful mangrove forest systems and diverse coral species. Con Dao has 1700 different marine species with many of them are in Red List like sea cow (dugong), sea turtle, dolphins,…Besides, a number of conservation projects and raising awareness campaigns were also implemented and strengthened annually.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al. (2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.
MPA Website: http://www.condaopark.com.vn/

🌴Phu Quoc MPA

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Phu Quoc is among the largest Vietnamese islands. Therefore, it is also known as region which gains the highest benefits from the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture. Phu Quoc MPA (Kien Giang province) was established in 2007 with marine area of 187 km square over more than 300km square in total. There are some well known ecosystems such as coral reef ecosystem, seagrass beds, mangrove forests,…Besides, it is home to 152 high-value fish species, about 100 seaweed species, 252 corals and dolphins, green turtles,…with 120km square area of seagrass bed has been recorded. As dugong is reliant on seagrass for food, this would be an ideal habitat for dugong – who is also facing high risk of extinction.

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Reference: Bui Thi Thu Hien et al.(2016). Vietnam Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Evaluation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 83pp.

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