Dong Nai’s forests “earn high marks” from foreign experts

In September, nearly 130 experts from the Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG), under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), held their 12th meeting in Dong Nai. On the sidelines of the event, the group conducted field visits to Cat Tien National Park and the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve.

Through the trip, the experts highly praised the province’s natural resources and its efforts in forest protection and biodiversity conservation.

An “invaluable asset” of international stature

In mid-September 2025, Dong Nai hosted the 12th meeting of the AsESG, attracting nearly 130 scientists, experts, and managers from 13 countries. Dong Nai was chosen as the venue for this internationally significant event because the province has the largest forest area in the Southeast region (over 370,000 hectares), the second-largest wild elephant population in the country (25–27 individuals), and has achieved positive results in forest protection.

A group of wild elephant scientists, experts, and managers conduct field surveys at Cat Tien National Park.

Through meetings, discussion sessions, and field surveys of forests, ecosystems, and the protection of wildlife and plants at Cat Tien National Park and the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, the experts highly appreciated the value of forest resources, and efforts to protect forests, and preserve biodiversity in the province.

According to Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando from Sri Lanka, Dong Nai possesses exceptionally valuable forest resources with significance beyond national boundaries. In fact, since 2011, the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This recognition confirms that the forests and biodiversity are not only invaluable assets of the local area but also of Vietnam and the world. Dr. Fernando also noted that the achievements in forest protection in Dong Nai could serve as a model to be replicated in other provinces.

The forests in Dong Nai province are not only extensive but also rich in resources and beautiful landscapes. Since 1997, Dong Nai has been a national pioneer in closing natural forests to the public, establishing large-scale nature conservation areas. As a result, these areas have preserved the characteristic habitats of the Southeast region and are home to many rare and valuable animal species.

Nguyen Thi Hoang, Provincial Party Committee Member and Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee

Vivek Menon from India, Chair of AsESG, after conducting field surveys at Cat Tien National Park and the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, said he was deeply impressed by the forest’s pristine condition and the richness of its ecosystems. Dong Nai is one of the few provinces in Southeast Asia that still maintains large, contiguous areas of natural forest, providing habitats for many rare and valuable species, including Asian elephants. This demonstrates that for many years, both the local authorities and residents have been united and highly conscious in protecting forests and the environment.

Biodiversity researcher Heidi Riddle from the United States, visiting Dong Nai for the first time, expressed: I am very surprised and moved by the beauty of the natural forests here. Unlike other places I have visited, the forests here feature flat terrain interspersed with fields, villages, rivers, lakes, and even national historical relics. The combination of these elements along with endemic plants and animals creates the diverse ecological value of the forests.

Riddle also highly praised Dong Nai's solutions for forest protection and biodiversity conservation.

Harmoniously harnessing the values

Dong Nai’s forests serve as the “green lungs” of the Southeast region, a national natural heritage, and a world biosphere reserve, containing numerous values that can be harnessed to promote sustainable socio-economic development.

The foremost value is biodiversity. With thousands of plant and animal species, including many listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and the world, the forests provide a foundation for scientific research, environmental education, and tourism. Areas with high biodiversity, such as Cat Tien National Park and the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, are “green treasures” for exploiting ecotourism and experiential educational activities.

The classification of forests into three types, including natural, planted, and non-forest land, not only serves conservation purposes but also provides timber and non-timber forest products for industries, contributing to sustainable livelihoods for local people. In addition, the value of forest environmental services, derived from fees collected from production and business establishments that use surface water resources, provides a stable and long-term revenue stream to improve people's lives, while also being reinvested in forest protection and development.

Forest areas associated with historical relics and ethnic minority communities in surrounding regions enhance the province’s potential for experiential and community-based tourism. This not only promotes the nature and people of Dong Nai but also creates stable livelihoods for local communities, thereby creating better conditions for preserving identity.

Dong Nai province currently has over 370,000 hectares of forest, including nearly 180,000 hectares of natural forest and more than 142,000 hectares of planted forest, with the remainder classified as non-forest land. The forest coverage rate in the province exceeds 25%.

For a leading industrial province in the country like Dong Nai, protecting forest resources is of particular importance in balancing the ecological environment and maintaining a sustainable quality of life. Forests help regulate the climate, protect water resources, and absorb emissions from industrial, urban, and transportation activities. This aligns with the province’s consistent goal of developing the economy while simultaneously protecting the environment and preserving nature sustainably.

Based on the actual results achieved by Dong Nai and the assessments of international experts and scientists, it is evident that the province is emerging as a bright spot in forest and biodiversity management and protection. This serves as a foundation for sustainably harnessing forest values and attracting additional domestic and international resources to support the conservation and development of biodiversity.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Dang Huyen, Thu Ha