Story: Bui Thi Thu Hien
Photos: Nguyen Ngoc Thien

Vietnam’s coastline covers 3,200km, with beautiful beaches and high biodiversity. A network of 11 protected marine areas and national parks with marine components (collectively called “marine protected areas” – MPAs) has been established, which will be expanded to 27 MPAs by 2030. The beauty of these MPAs often lies underwater, in coral reefs or seagrass beds which is often called the “tropical forests” under the sea that not everyone can see.

Coral near Cu Lao Cham Island (Quang Nam)

Home to marine life

Each MPA along this S-shaped land has its own unique beauty: from the pristine coral reefs in the Hon Cau – Nha Trang Bay MPA (Khanh Hoa) or the Cu Lao Cham MPA (Quang Nam), to areas with distinctive ecosystems, where sea turtles come to feed and breed in Con Dao National Park (Ba Ria Vung Tau); Nui Chua National Park (Ninh Thuan), Con Co MPA (Quang Tri), or the waters around Ly Son Island (Quang Ngai) – where geology and biodiversity converge; the waters around Phu Quoc (Kien Giang) with unspoiled beauty and clear blue waters that contain Vietnam’s largest seagrass area, where dugongs can still be found foraging; Bai Tu Long National Park (Quang Ninh) or Cat Ba National Park (Hai Phong) and Bach Long Vi MPA (Hai Phong), where it’s possible to spot pods of dolphins.

Coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests are home to countless marine species. However, these “homes” are facing the risk of degradation due to the impacts of climate change, environmental pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices. Despite many efforts, Vietnam’s network of 11 MPAs still faces many challenges in reducing this risk of degradation.

MPAs and national parks are researching and monitoring the marine environment to better understand the ecology and conservation needs of different species and their habitats. From there, measures to attract community participation in protecting marine and island environments are being proposed and implemented from macro to micro levels. Among these, green tourism is seen as a way to harmonize economic development goals while preserving the homes of both marine species and humans. 

Vietnam’s 11 MPAs are: Nha Trang Bay, Cu Lao Cham, Phu Quoc, Con Co, Hon Cau, Bach Long Vi, Ly Son, Bai Tu Long National Park, Cat Ba National Park, Nui Chua National Park, and Con Dao National Park.

Nha Trang Bay

Joining hands for green tourism

Tourists can easily participate in many vibrant green tourism activities when visiting the beautiful coastal areas of South Central and Southern Vietnam, including snorkeling tours to see coral reefs and tours to watch sea turtles nesting in Con Dao; visiting the stone park and ancient coral reefs in Nui Chua National Park; or diving to explore coral reefs and seagrass beds in Phu Quoc Island, Cu Lao Cham, etc. Thanks to these activities, visitors can discover the beauty beneath the blue ocean. However, if these activities are overdeveloped and grow too crowded,  there is also a risk of pollution and negative impacts on ecosystems and natural habitats. From a management perspective, the MPAs and national park management boards have developed many action plans, eco-friendly tours, and partnerships with businesses and localities to ensure that tourism is developed sustainably, and environmental regulations are observed for the benefit of local communities, businesses, and the public. From there, “green” tourism in the true sense is being promoted and widely embraced.

A sea turtle near Bay Canh Island – Con Dao (Ba Ria - Vung Tau)

To protect the vulnerable “homes” of marine species, service providers must develop sustainable tourism products. For visitors, contributing to ocean protection can start with small actions like reducing waste during tours, using recycled and eco-friendly products, etc. From the local perspective, more programs that engage the community are needed to encourage residents’ participation, such as beach cleanup programs, collecting debris from the sea’s surface, not littering or discharging waste into the sea, and avoiding fishing methods that harm the marine environment. Let’s explore the ocean in responsible ways that are safe for all species.

Did you know?

The ocean contains 95% of the life on our planet and absorbs 93% of excess heat and about 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans. The ocean generates over 50% of the planet’s oxygen. Marine and coastal ecosystems store three to five times more carbon than terrestrial tropical forests of the same area.

How to embrace “green tourism”?

Bring a bag to collect litter from your trip;

Use eco-friendly products and avoid single-use plastics;

Avoid using additives harmful to the marine environment like sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate;

Volunteer for ocean conservation activities;

Prioritize tours that respect the environment and local community;

Spread the message of environmental protection to those around you and the wider community.