Vietnam’s Phu Quoc plans to lease over 5,350ha of forest for ecotourism

Nguyen Van Tiep, director of Phu Quoc National Park, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that the plan is part of a 2021-30 project to expand ecotourism, leisure, and recreational activities in special-use and protective forests.

The park has mapped out 69 sites for leasing, including 24 locations in special-use forests covering 2,848 hectares and 45 sites in protective forests totaling 2,510 hectares.

In the first phase, 24 sites covering 1,863 hectares will be offered for lease, with contracts lasting up to 30 years.

Tiep stressed that leasing will be conducted transparently and must not compromise conservation goals.

Applicants must submit proposals aligned with the approved master plan, ensuring biodiversity protection and environmental safeguards.

Authorities will monitor operations closely and penalize violations that harm ecosystems.

“We will not trade forest conservation for tourism growth,” Tiep said.

Established in 2001, Phu Quoc National Park spans 36,262 hectares and was recognized by UNESCO in 2006 as part of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve.

It is home to around 1,397 plant species and 480 animal species.