Last June, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially recognized Cat Tien National Park as the 72nd addition to its prestigious IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, which marks a significant milestone in nature and biodiversity conservation in Vietnam. This certification follows a comprehensive assessment, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the USAID Biodiversity Conservation Activity in Viet Nam (VFBC project).

Cat Tien National Park manages more than 71,000 hectares of special-use forest

“Cat Tien National Park is the first national park in Vietnam to be recognized as an IUCN Green List,” said Mr. Pham Xuan Thinh, Director of Cat Tien National Park. “This prestigious recognition underscores our commitment to preserving the unique biodiversity and natural heritage of Cat Tien.”

Awarding the Green List signage at the entrance of Cat Tien National Park - conducted by Ms. Susan Burns, the U.S. Consul General in Vietnam (third from the right), and Mr. Pham Xuan Thinh, Director of Cat Tien National Park (fourth from the right)

USAID Biodiversity Conservation Activity has supported Cat Tien National Park in surveying the park’s diverse array of wildlife as part of the largest-ever biodiversity survey in Viet Nam covering 20 protected areas; strengthening capability, investing in technology and equipment, such as Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) for biodiversity monitoring and patrols to improve park management; establishing the Community-based Patrol Teams (CPT) and a collaborative management mechanism to bolster community engagement in conservation, which is fundamental for promoting good governance, achieving successful conservation outcomes and ensuring that those living near the park are engaged in conservation decision-making.

The Community-based Patrol Teams (CPT) work around the clock to protect the forest and wildlife
The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) - one of endangered mammals, roams freely in the wilderness of Cat Tien National Park
Black-shanked douc (Pygathrix nigripes) at Cat Tien National Park (Photo credit: Danh Son)

“This achievement is a testament to the progress Cat Tien National Park has made in improving protected area management. The dedication of the park and support from Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and USAID over the last two years has been critical to this mission. IUCN’s Green List establishes the most rigorous criteria to assess area-based conservation and protected area management. Consequently, meeting these criteria will help the conserved areas to measure progress and conservation impacts, thereby identifying future conservation priorities. With support from the USAID project, implemented by WWF, protected areas in Viet Nam have been able to improve the quality of their management to achieve globally recognized standards”, said Mr. Thinh Van Ngoc, CEO of WWF-Viet Nam.

Microporus - a companion for those who wander through the rainforests

The IUCN Green List is the global standard that describes successful area-based conservation. It offers an assured verification process, awarding certificates to sites that can demonstrate that they meet and maintain the full set of 17 globally consistent criteria and 50 indicators that address four themes: good governance, sound design and planning, effective management, and successful conservation outcomes. The Green List Standard remains globally consistent but is adapted and applied to the local context.

Bau Sau is the home of the species of freshwater crocodile known as the Siamese crocodile, once thought to be extinct

“Achieving Green List status is not merely about pursuing a title, it represents a long-term and persistent commitment: The evidence that needs to be assembled to demonstrate compliance with the standard’s 17 criteria is demanding. The fact that two of the three Green List sites in Southeast Asia are in Vietnam (Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve was recognized in 2021) reflects the determination of the government of Vietnam to improve standards of protected area management. We look forward to working with several other protected areas to secure Green List status by the end of 2025.” said Jake Brunner, Head of IUCN’s Lower Mekong Sub-region.

Mr. Jake Brunner, Head of IUCN’s Lower Mekong Sub-region presents the Green List certificate to Cat Tien National Park
The cycling path through the tropical rainforest is a favorite route by local Vietnamese