Dong Nai develops tourism in harmony with nature conservation

Dong Nai City has consistently focused on tapping and promoting its tourism potential while placing strong emphasis on nature conservation.

An increasing number of high-quality, professional tourism products have been developed, with each offering a story about the nature, culture, history and people of Dong Nai. At the same time, the city is promoting tourism products linked to environmental protection and responsible tourism, with a focus on long-term sustainability.

Students learn about biodiversity at Cat Tien National Park. Photo: Hoang Loc.

Developing sustainable ecotourism products

One of Dong Nai's major tourism strengths is its potential for developing forest-based ecotourism products. The city currently has three ecotourism, resort and recreation development schemes approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Dong Nai City People's Committee. They cover the Tan Phu Protection Forest Management Board in Dinh Quan Commune, the Dong Nai Nature-Culture Reserve and Cat Tien National Park in Nam Cat Tien Commune.

These ecotourism schemes provide a foundation for Dong Nai to build and develop a sustainable forest tourism ecosystem, while effectively harnessing and promoting its potential and advantages in natural resources, culture and historical sites. They also seek to mobilize resources from across society to protect and develop forests, conserve nature and promote sustainable tourism.

In addition to projects planned under the ecotourism schemes, tourism destinations are partnering with leading travel companies specializing in exploration and adventure tourism to develop and operate unique tourism products, strengthen competitiveness and build the Dong Nai tourism brand.

Notably, Cat Tien National Park and the Dong Nai Nature-Culture Reserve have partnered with leading global exploration and adventure tourism companies to develop new tourism products. At Cat Tien National Park, several new products have been introduced and received positive feedback, including Cat Tien Wild Safari, featuring exploration of forest ecosystems and local culture; Cat Tien Wild Expedition, involving trekking through the forest, conquering Bau Sau and learning about rare flora and fauna; and Patrol with Rangers, allowing visitors to accompany forest rangers and experience forest patrol and protection activities.

These new tourism products provide an important foundation for connecting ecotourism with community-based tourism, creating additional jobs and income opportunities for local residents.

Resolution No. 10-NQ/TU of the Dong Nai City Party Committee on developing tourism into a strong economic sector states: “The capacity and effectiveness of state management of tourism must be improved. Coordination among departments, agencies and localities in managing and supporting tourism development must be strengthened, particularly by facilitating administrative reform and resolutely addressing difficulties and obstacles facing tourism development projects.”

Reviewing and proposing solutions for tourism development

Dong Nai's tourism sector is focusing on measures to promote tourism as a strong economic sector in line with Resolution No. 10-NQ/TU of the Dong Nai City Party Committee. As the state management agency responsible for tourism, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will work with relevant agencies to address bottlenecks related to investment, planning and land in areas with tourism development potential.

Speaking about the tourism development plan for the coming period, Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Member of the City Party Committee, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the department would continue advising and coordinating with relevant agencies and localities to review and propose a list of priority tourism projects for investment attraction, based on planning compatibility and implementation capacity.

The department will focus on studying projects around Tri An Lake, along the Dong Nai River, in areas surrounding Long Thanh International Airport and in the Dong Nai Nature-Culture Reserve, as well as tourism products and projects in the Ba Ra Mountain–Thac Mo area. Priority will be given to large-scale, high-quality projects capable of creating new tourism products and driving new growth. These will include resorts, four- and five-star hotels and convention centers, among others.

Regarding infrastructure, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue reviewing and proposing investment to improve infrastructure connecting key tourism areas and destinations. Priority will be given to routes and transport corridors connecting Long Thanh International Airport, Bien Hoa, Tri An Lake, and ecotourism and resort destinations. The department will also prioritize investment in infrastructure serving the development of waterway tourism and essential facilities at tourism areas and destinations across the city.

By Thuy Moc – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho