Vietnam Debates Management Model for Trans-Provincial National Parks

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has reported to the Government and the Prime Minister on a proposed management model for trans-provincial national parks, recommending the continuation of unified national-level management for four such parks, while transferring Cat Tien National Park to local management. Currently, Vietnam has 167 special-use forests, including 36 national parks. Only five trans-provincial national parks are directly managed by the Ministry, covering a total area of nearly 270,000 hectares, representing about 12% of the country's special-use forest area. These areas are of exceptional value for biodiversity, nature conservation, scientific research, wildlife rescue, and international cooperation. According to the Ministry, under the provisions of the Forestry Law and the Law on Biodiversity, national parks spanning two or more provinces fall under the Ministry's direct management to ensure unified administration, maintain ecosystem integrity, connect landscapes, and protect national strategic interests. Following the Government's directive, the Ministry solicited opinions from 10 relevant local authorities. Seven localities—Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, and Thai Nguyen—proposed maintaining the current management model. Conversely, Dong Nai, Ninh Binh, and Hue City proposed taking over full management of national parks within their territories. Regarding specific parks, there is a consensus to continue the Ministry's management for Tam Dao and Yok Don National Parks. However, differing opinions exist among local authorities concerning Bach Ma and Cuc Phuong National Parks. Numerous domestic conservation organizations and the Vietnam National Parks and Nature Reserves Association have urged caution in changing the management model for national parks of exceptional value and spanning multiple provinces. These stakeholders emphasize that management should be based on ecosystem integrity rather than administrative boundaries, and that a national-level management point of contact should be maintained for strategically important national parks. Based on a review of legal regulations, practical assessments, international experience, and the consolidated opinions of local authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment recommends that the Government assign the Ministry to lead the transfer of Cat Tien National Park to local management as directed by the Prime Minister. Concurrently, the Ministry would continue to manage Cuc Phuong, Tam Dao, Bach Ma, and Yok Don National Parks in a unified and stable manner to ensure effective conservation, maintain ecosystem integrity, and fulfill international commitments on biodiversity, climate change response, and sustainable development.