Vietnam Vacation Guide

Be an environment ambassador

Home to one - tenth of the world's mammal, bird and fish species, Vietnam has a unique environment. Scattered throughout the country are around 100 protected areas which encompass a huge variety of ecological systems that include coral reefs, islands, beaches and dunes, wetlands, mountains, forests of every description, limestone landscapes and caves, river deltas and lakes. Among these protected areas are 11 national parks, managed by the Forest Protection Department, which represent some of the jewels of Vietnam' s natural heritage. Vietnam's 11 national parks are Ba Be, Ba Vi, Bach Ma, Ben En, Cat Ba, Cat Tien, Con Dao, Cuc Phuong, Tam Dao, Tram Chim and Yok Don. In addition to these 11 national parks, the country has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Ancient Capital at Hue (12/94), Ha Long Bay (12/94), Hoi An (1/99) and one UNESCO/MAB Biosphere Reserve named Can Gio Mangrove.

Delacour's langurNumerous flora and fauna species are also unique to Vietnam - 40 percent of Vietnam' s plants grow nowhere else - while seven of the 12 large mammals, which have been described in the last century, were discovered in Vietnam.

Sadly, the environment is under threat. In 1943, natural forest covered and estimated 43% of the country. At the end of 2000, total forest cover, including both natural forest and plantation, had dwindled to 33,2%.

Tourism provides an economic reason for conserving natural resources and if sustainable, can encourage the protection of the country's bio-diversity.

Helping to conserve Vietnam's precious bio-diversity.

Many species of Vietnam's wild fauna and flora are under threat from both domestic consumption and the illegal international trade. Though it maybe ‘an experience’ to try wild meat such as bear, muntjac, bat, monkey and python, ordering these foods will indicate your acceptance of these products and add to their demand.

Be careful consuming wild products such as bush meat and traditional medicine as these may have come from endangered or threatened species. When offered wild meat, be sure that it is derived from sustainable management practices that can, in fact, contribute to the conservation of wild animals and rural development. In case of doubt, however, the best policy is to politely refuse it.

In the case of tourist souvenirs, do not buy products made from endangered plants or animals, such as elephant ivory, tortoise shell, and wild animal skins. Again, unless you are certain the species is not endangered, never buy live or stuffed animals, however tempting, and forgo the coral you will no doubt see on sale in the markets. Vietnam’s coral and ornamental fishes are being severely depleted by destructive harvesting practices.

Remember that virtually all countries in the world are parties to the CITES Convention which regulates the trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora. Accordingly, importing many wildlife products without special permit is illegal and you could be severely fined in your own country.

Rubbish, waste & energy use.

Environment awareness in Vietnam is generally low. You can help change this subtly by example - for instance, not dropping litter even if someone tells you it’s OK to do so. By setting a quiet example, practicing the 3 R’s; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- and explaining the reasons for your actions to others, you can play a positive role in protecting the environment, natural and cultural resources of Vietnam.

Make sure you properly dispose of any rubbish you generate. There are few public rubbish bins in Vietnam, so this may mean carrying it with you for a while.

Halong BayIf no toilet is available, make sure you bury your waste, and avoid sites near waterways. Burning or carrying toilet paper and hygienic items out of natural areas is a must.

Carry a toilet roll and a couple of airtight plastic bags with you in case you need to take your rubbish with you.

Never use shampoo or soap in rivers, lakes or the sea. Vietnam’s waterways are precious resources, and in some of the country’s drier areas water is a very scarce commodity.

Please turn off your air conditioner, fans, lights and other electrical appliances when you leave your hotel or guesthouse.

Try to reduce the use of air- conditioners in cars and encourage drivers to turn off the engine when stationary.

Coral reefs and limestone caves.

Vietnam is home to a large expanse of stunning limestone landscape- of which Halong Bay in the north is the most famous- and coral reefs, both of which have suffered severe damage in recent years. Coral reefs in particular have been damaged due to dynamite fishing, boat anchorage, mining for concrete production and sale to tourists.

When visiting coral reefs do not touch live coral, as this hinders growth- some species, such as ‘fire corals’ are also able to cause a harmful sting.

Do not anchor boats on the coral reefs. If your tour operator/captain do this, try to convince him or her to anchor in a sandy area. Indicate that you are willing to swim the extra distance to the coral.

When exploring limestone caves, don’t touch the formations as it hinders growth and turns the limestone black. Never break off stalactites and stalagmites in limestone caves- they take lifetimes to regrow.

Walking and trekking in natural areas.

Jungle trek in Cuc Phuong Nat. ParkWhilst walking and trekking are preferable to 4wds as a means of exploring national parks and other protected areas, the constant flow of tourists can still have a negative impact on the fragile ecological balance of these places. Remember that you are just one thousands who will visit and impact an area.

Keep to designated trails when out walking, both for your safety and the protection of the environment. There are reasons why certain trails are used.

Follow the rules and regulation of the protected area you are visiting. For example never make fires, avoid making unnecessary noise and do not take samples from nature (flowers, mushrooms, frogs...).

Pay particular attention to the guidelines for rubbish discussed above. Do not dispose of rubbish attention to the guidelines for rubbish discussed above. Do not dispose of rubbish or cigarette buts in the wild as they may take many years to break down (if ever).