Dong Nai calls for billion-VND investment in tourism projects

With a master plan encompassing 51 designated tourism development sites and 37 eco-tourism routes exploring forests, lakes, and biodiversity, the Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Reserve is actively inviting investors to explore and capitalize on the province’s tourism potential.

Tourists paddleboarding on Tri An Lake - a highly popular activity. Photo: Ngoc Lien

The tourism routes and sites have been planned under the Eco-tourism, Resort, and Entertainment Project of the Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Reserve for the 2021–2030 period (referred to as the Forest Eco-tourism Plan), which was officially approved by the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee at the end of 2023. The plan has a projected total investment of nearly VND 1 trillion.

Exploring the "green lung" of Southeastern Vietnam 

The Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Reserve spans over 100,000 hectares of natural land, including nearly 66,000 hectares of forested area and approximately 2,000 hectares of non-forested land. Tri An Lake covers more than 32,000 hectares and is among the locations designated for development into a national-level tourism site.

Often referred to as the “green lung” of the Southeastern region, the reserve encompasses diverse forest and lake ecosystems, including evergreen broadleaf forests; bamboo–broadleaf mixed forests; pure bamboo forests; grassland–shrub ecosystems; and river, lake, and wetland ecosystems.

Biodiversity is a hallmark of the reserve, which serves as a habitat for over 600 plant species and nearly 1,900 animal species. Notably, many rare and endangered species listed in the Red Data Books of Vietnam and the world reside here, such as the Asian elephant, gaur, sun bear, clouded leopard, black-shanked douc langur, crested argus, and several endemic bird species. Significantly, the reserve is home to Vietnam’s last wild elephant herd, consisting of approximately 22 individuals - a captivating highlight for wildlife tourism and scientific research.

Highlighting the unique values of the Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Reserve, Nguyen Van Ha, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for the Forest Eco-tourism Project, stated: In addition to its natural assets, the reserve also possesses rich cultural value through the presence of ethnic minority communities. Their distinctive cultural traditions are invaluable resources for developing community-based tourism, offering visitors deeper, more authentic experiences of indigenous life.

He added that the reserve is also home to several renowned historical sites, such as the Central Office for South Vietnam and the Ma Da Martyrs’ Cemetery, iconic “red addresses” that serve as ideal destinations for youth, students, and tour operators to organize meaningful back-to-the-roots journeys that blend historical education with nature exploration.

Investment opportunities in tourism development  

Aimed at unlocking the full potential of its natural resources, biodiversity, and cultural-historical values to create unique, high-quality, and competitive tourism products, Dong Nai is seeking visionary investors to participate in world-class tourism development projects under its Foest Eco-tourism Project. These projects promise substantial returns while contributing to the sustainable development of Dong Nai’s tourism sector and the broader Vietnamese tourism industry.

Highlighting the advantages for potential investors, Ms. Dinh Thi Lan Huong, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Reserve, affirmed: “Investors can rest assured when engaging with projects already approved under the province’s Forest Eco-tourism Project. In addition to detailed and methodical planning, these projects benefit from a strong legal foundation, transparency, and safety guaranteed by the official decisions and directives of the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee.”

With 51 tourism development sites and 37 clearly mapped forest exploration routes, the reserve presents an ideal foundation for both domestic and international businesses to tap into this “hidden gem” of global biodiversity. Since 2011, UNESCO has recognized the area as the core zone of the Dong Nai  Biosphere Reserve of the world, a “golden seal” of value and reputation on the global tourism map.

Forest exploration tours at the Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Reserve, organized by Tri An Adventure Co., Ltd. Photo: Ngoc Lien

To attract investors, the reserve has introduced six high-potential investment categories, including a luxury resort complex covering approximately 326 hectares along Tri An Lake. The complex will feature resort facilities and lakeside villas that take advantage of the tranquil waterscape and surrounding forest, targeting high-end customers and MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions); and a 412-hectare wildlife safari park, where tourists can observe wild animals in their natural habitat. This model is highly appealing to both domestic and international visitors, while also supporting education and wildlife photography.

According to Ms. Dinh Thi Lan Huong, the reserve currently has 12 investors registered under the Forest Eco-tourism Projects. Dong Nai is eager to attract more capable investors to help unlock this priceless natural treasure and build a world-class eco-tourism destination that balances the interests of businesses, local communities, and nature.

Adventure and aerial sports tourism leverage the area’s diverse terrain to offer activities such as trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, and, notably, an aerial sports park featuring hot-air ballooning and paragliding, aligned with the growing demand for experiential travel among young tourists.

Other key components include: a Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, planned over 240 hectares, which will focus on the protection of endangered species; a community-based and cultural tourism model, developed in collaboration with residents in the locality to establish homestays, organize cultural and culinary experiences, and create sustainable livelihoods through in-depth tourism products; and a Carbon Credit Project that leverages the reserve’s vast forest area to participate in the carbon credit market, a promising emerging sector that offers dual revenue streams from tourism and forest-based environmental services. This initiative is a pioneering investment aligned with green economy and sustainable development trends.

Ngoc Lien

Translated by: Thuc Oanh - Minho