Xuan Lien Nature Reserve officially recognized as National Park

On the afternoon of April 25, the Thanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Thuong Xuan District, held a ceremony to officially announce the upgrade of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to Xuan Lien National Park. The event was attended by leaders of Thanh Hoa Province, representatives from the General Director of the Forestry and Forest Protection Department (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), international organizations, and a large number of local residents.

Xuan Lien National Park, formerly known as Xuan Lien Nature Reserve, was established in 2000. The park currently manages an area of more than 25,600 hectares, spanning five communes and townships within Thuong Xuan District. Of this, over 23,800 hectares are designated as special-use forest land, divided into three core zones: the strictly protected zone, the ecological restoration zone, and the administrative-service zone. In addition, the area includes over 912 hectares of production forest land and more than 873 hectares of seasonally flooded land around the Cua Dat Reservoir.

Xuan Lien is currently one of Vietnam’s leading national parks in terms of biodiversity, harboring numerous species of flora and fauna listed in both the Vietnam Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List, with significant scientific and ecological value.

The park is home to more than 1,228 species of higher plants and 1,811 species of wild animals across 241 families. It features two major populations of ancient conifer species, such as Po Mu (Fokienia hodginsii) and Sa Mu (Cunninghamia sp.), including two trees over 1,000 years old that have been recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE). Among the plant species, 56 are classified as rare and endangered, 35 of which are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book.

Xuan Lien is also the habitat of the largest population of white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys) in Vietnam, with 64 groups and 182 individuals, along with more than 200 gray-shanked doucs (Pygathrix cinerea). Remarkably, in October 2014, scientists discovered a group of about 30 individuals of a mangabey species previously believed to have been extinct for nearly 100 years. This species once lived in Houaphanh Province, Laos, and today, the only known skull specimen is preserved at the American Museum of Natural History.

Beyond its ecological and biodiversity significance, the Xuan Lien forest also plays a critical role in watershed protection for the Chu and Dan rivers, which are integral to the Cua Dat irrigation-hydropower system. The Cua Dat Reservoir, entirely located within the special-use forest of Xuan Lien, spans over 3,000 hectares of surface water with a storage capacity exceeding 1.5 billion cubic meters. This infrastructure is vital to national security, providing irrigation for 86,000 hectares of farmland and supplying water for domestic and industrial use in downstream areas of Thanh Hoa Province. Additionally, Xuan Lien holds great potential as an ecotourism destination for the region.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, Mr. Le Duc Giang, Vice Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, emphasized that the upgrade and the establishment of the Xuan Lien National Park Management Board mark a significant distinction within the classification system for special-use forests. This upgrade will create favorable conditions for attracting investment in scientific research and the development of ecotourism and landscape conservation for the period 2025–2030, with a vision toward 2050.

To effectively fulfill the assigned tasks, Mr. Giang requested that relevant agencies focus on the strict protection and management of the park’s natural forest area, ensuring no forest fires, illegal logging, wildlife poaching, or resource exploitation occur.

He called for a comprehensive review and demarcation of the special-use forest boundaries, the reissuance of land use right certificates, and the clear designation of the park’s functional zones. He also emphasized the need to promote scientific research in conservation, select and breed high-value forestry plant species, and supply seedlings for the province’s large timber reforestation efforts along value chains. In addition, he urged coordination to address obstacles and implement four proposed projects on agriculture, forestry, and ecotourism put forth by the TH True Milk Group.

Efforts should also be made to improve the livelihoods of communities in the five buffer zone communes by mobilizing investment in infrastructure, production, ecotourism, cultural, and community development, ensuring a balance between conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Mr. Giang also proposed that the General Director of the Forestry and Forest Protection Department report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to seek continued support for Thanh Hoa to participate in programs and projects related to forest management, protection, and development, particularly the extension of the Emissions Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA) in the North Central region, as well as international cooperation support for Xuan Lien National Park.

Mr. Tran Quang Bao, General Director of the Forestry and Forest Protection Department, noted that Xuan Lien with its special location in the Central Annamites, is home to a representative forest ecosystem and numerous rare and precious species of flora and fauna. It is a true “green treasure,” not only of Thanh Hoa but of the entire nation. With this milestone, Xuan Lien National Park has been officially added to Vietnam’s network of 35 national parks.

Mr. Bao proposed that in the coming period, the Xuan Lien National Park Management Board should strengthen the management of park boundaries and natural resources; establish a biodiversity monitoring system and a scientific database to support research; and promote the multifunctional value of the forest ecosystem while developing high-quality ecotourism. He also emphasized the importance of applying digital technology, particularly the SMART tool in forest monitoring and biodiversity conservation.

Also at the ceremony, the General Director of the Forestry and Forest Protection Department announced that in 2025, it will launch a project on sustainable conservation financing and the development of complex ecosystems in special-use and protection forests, funded by the German Government through GIZ. The project will be implemented in Xuan Lien from 2025 to 2028, with a focus on providing technical support, enhancing conservation capacity, and restoring ecosystems.