Cat Tien National Park wins four international ecotourism awards

Tran Van Binh, Director of the Center for Environmental Education and Services of Cat Tien National Park (Nam Cat Tien commune, Dong Nai province), said that at a recent event in India, Cat Tien National Park was honored with four 2025 international ecotourism awards (AEN-IEA 2025) by the Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN).

The more than 400-year-old Tung tree at Cat Tien National Park is one of the park’s most impressive attractions. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Accordingly, Cat Tien National Park was recognized in the following categories: Biodiversity Conservation, the highest award for its tireless efforts in conserving biodiversity and protecting typical tropical forest ecosystems that serve as habitats for hundreds of rare species; Ecotourism Promotion, which acknowledges the park’s responsible, nature-friendly, and respectful ecotourism promotion where visitors not only explore but also develop a deeper appreciation for the value of forests; Destination Governance, honoring its sustainable destination management model with effective coordination among management agencies, local communities, and stakeholders in conservation and ecotourism development; and Community Champion, recognizing the active participation of local communities in preserving and spreading the spirit of living in harmony with nature.

The Bau Sau area of Cat Tien National Park has been recognized by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat as a wetland of international importance. File photo

According to Tran Van Binh, Cat Tien National Park is the only unit in Vietnam to receive tourism awards from the AEN. This is not only a source of pride for the park but also a milestone for Vietnam on the international ecotourism map. These awards affirm the park’s commitment to developing tourism in harmony with nature conservation, toward a greener and more sustainable future.

In addition to the four newly received international awards, Cat Tien National Park has also been honored with several other prestigious and meaningful recognitions throughout its years of operation, particularly for its contributions to biodiversity conservation in Vietnam.

Exploring Bau Sau at Cat Tien National Park. File photo

Specifically, in 2001, Cat Tien National Park was recognized by UNESCO as the world’s 411th biosphere reserve (and the second in Vietnam). In 2005, the Bau Sau wetland area within the park was listed by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat as a wetland of international importance, becoming the 1,499th Ramsar site worldwide and the second in Vietnam. In 2012, the park was recognized by the Government as a Special National Heritage Site. In 2024, Cat Tien National Park was officially acknowledged by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as the 72nd site worldwide to be included in the IUCN Green List.

Cycling through the lush forests of Cat Tien National Park. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Covering nearly 72,000 hectares, Cat Tien National Park is one of Vietnam’s world biosphere reserves and is often referred to as the “shared home” of diverse wildlife. The park is home to over 1,700 animal species and more than 1,600 plant species, including many rare and endemic ones such as the yellow-cheeked gibbon, silvered langur, and black-shanked douc langur.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha