Cat Tien National Park

The Management Board of the Dong Nai Nature Reserve and Cultural Site on Monday announced that the Cat Tien National Garden has been recognized by UNESCO as Vietnam’s seventh World Biosphere Reserve, according to local media.

This information was released by the Management Board of the Dong Nai Nature Reserve and Cultural Site on July 18.

Accordingly, the Cat Tien Biosphere Reserve has been upgraded to the Dong Nai World Biosphere Reserve.

Cat Tien primeval forest is home to 1,700 rare plants and more than 700 animals, many of which are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of endangered animals, including the one-horned rhino, peacocks, ostrich and pheasant.

It is also the homeland for 11 ethnic minorities and a model for multipurpose preservation offering the sustainable development of both people and the environment based on biological and cultural diversity.

The UNESCO Vietnam association has announced the launch of two new awards, named “Vietnam’s cultural and tourism heritage” and “In support of the preservation and development of Vietnam’s cultural heritage”.

The association’s General Secretary Nguyen Xuan Thang said on Nov. 27, 2008 the annual awards were launched in response to Vietnam’s Heritage Law and UNESCO’s Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage.

They aim to encourage people to discover and vote for Vietnam’s tangible and non-tangible cultural heritages, and recognize the work of organizations and individuals who have contributed to the preservation and development of them.

They also offer a chance for localities and ministries to highlight and promote Vietnam’s unique culture, tourism and heritage.

(Source: Vietnamtoursim.com)