Legal documents related to conservation and development of biodiversity

Vietnam Government recognised the need and concern for the protection and development of biodiversity resources quite early. So far, about 60 legal documents relating to biodiversity conservation have been issued that serve as the legal basis for implementing biodiversity protection activities.

In 1962, the Forestry Control Agency was established with establishment of the Cuc Phuong National Park - the first nature reserve of Vietnam. In 1985, the National Conservation Strategy of Vietnam (NCS) was issued. This was the first strategy to be established in developing countries. In 1993, Vietnam signed the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was ratified by the National Assembly in October 1994. At the same time, Vietnam became a Party to the Ramsar Convention for Wetland Conservation, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In further demonstration of its commitment and responsibility, Vietnam developed and approved the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) on 22 December 1995. This is a landmark document and provides guidance for protecting biodiversity from the central to local levels of administration, branches and associations.

For implementing CITES the government has appointed the Forest Protection Department as the government representative to issue permits and licenses for trading of wild animals. The Institute of Ecological and Biological Resources and the Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies serve as the scientific authorities under the Convention in Vietnam.

In 2000, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) prepared and submitted to government the National Strategy for Environmental Protection, for the period of 2001-2010 (NSEP). The NSEP provides the framework for environmental management in the current decade and one of the 3 objectives of NSEP is Protection, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity.

Identification and monitoring

In Vietnam, basic investigation of biological resources started from early 1960s. More particularly, after 1975 a number of national survey programs were carried out such as the investigation in the Central highland (1976-1985), in the delta flat of Cuu Long river (1981-1985), and in the North-western area (1985-1990). A comprehensive research program is being carried out since 1976 on marine biodiversity resources in the Vietnam Sea.

Besides, other research programs for conservation and development of rare animals have been carried out such as the research program on the kouprey in 1985, the survey and protection of elephant (1993-1995), the projects on study and conservation of rhinos (1993, 1997, 1998), research project on gibbons (1992-1996), project for conservation of sea tortoise (1995), research project on tigers, etc.

A project on compilation of "Fauna and Flora of Vietnam" has been implemented by the Vietnam National Centre for Science and Technology from 1980 onwards. As a result, many monographs on plants and animals have been published.

Measures for biodiversity conservation

In-situ conservation measures

In-situ conservation is an on-site tool for preserving genes, species, ecosystems, and habitats in their natural living condition. This measure is the most cost-effective means for conservation of  biodiversity.

In 1999, MOSTE and some other institutions planned a network of marine protected areas in Vietnam (MPA). The list of 22 marine protected areas and 64 wetland-protected areas, including 16 MPAs was prepared and submitted to Government.  

- Efforts to protect habitat/ecosystem

Another in-situ conservation effort is the measure for on-farm conservation. This is a specially important tool for preserving seeds of traditional fruits such as Thanh Ha litchi in Hai Duong, Hung Yen longan, Doan Hung and Nam Roi grapefruit in Vinh long, Lai Thieu fruits, etc.

- Program No. 327: This program was implemented over 6 years, beginning in 1993. As a result, 1.97 million ha of protection forest, buffer zone of natural reserve area, and 6.79 million ha of forest were improved and protected. The forest cover in the north western region increased from 12.2 to 16.1%, and of the northern middle land from 19.9 to 24.2% .

- National program for 5 million-hectare afforestation began from 1998 and will continue until 2010. The program covers 2 million ha of special use and protected forest and 3 million of production forest.

 - The program of off-shore exploitation of marine products: this program has been undertaken from 1998. Its goal is to reduce intensive exploitation and protect off-shore biological resources that were degraded over time.

-   Buffer zone management

Under the buffer zone management program of special use forests the management board is responsible for co-operation with the local administration in order to improve the living standards of local communities and encourage them to participate in protection of the special use forests. After implementing this program it is realised that such areas cannot be effectively protected without the help and participation of local people in the buffer zones.

Ex-situ conservation measures

These measures aim at conserving the species or genetic materials out of their original location or habitat.

-   Botanical gardens

From 1988, the program for conservation of medicinal plants was carried out. However, among 848 medicinal plants only 120 species are conserved in some gardens and institutions. The Pharmacy Institute has a station of medicinal plants in Sa Pa (63 species are cultured at a height of 1,500 m); Tam Dao station conserves 175 species at a height of 900 m, and Van Dien station in Ha Noi has 294 species. The Centre for Plant Seeds in Da Lat conserves 88 species, also at a height of 1,500 m.   

At present, there are some botanical gardens such as the Trang Bom garden (Dong Nai province) with 118 plant species, Cau Hai garden (Vinh Phuc province) - 110 species, and Cam Quy garden (Ha Tay province). Besides, the Bach Thao garden in Ha Noi  was established over a 100 years ago and possesses hundreds of plant species. All the plant species conserved in the above botanical gardens are indigenous.

-  Zoological Park

The two largest zoological parks in Vietnam are Thao Cam Vien Zoological Park (in Ho Chi Minh city) established over a 100 years ago, and Thu Le Zoological Park (in Ha Noi) built in the 1970s. These places breed many endemic and rare species of Vietnam, as well as wild animals from other countries.

Besides, some wild animals are also captive bred in moderate and small size farms majority of which are in households. It is estimated that more than 7,000 spotted deer are captive bred in  Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces, etc for basset. Some other animals such as reptiles, tortoises, monkeys, crocodiles, beers, etc are also being bred in captivity. However, most of the captive breeding is for trade and not conservation.

-  Rescue Centres

The Primate Rescue Centre at the Cuc Phuong National Park is breeding 12 rare species of primates in captivity. Another Rescue Centre at Soc Son, Ha Noi was established in 1998.

-  Seed bank

Seed banks have been established in some institutions. At present, there are 4 cold storage rooms at the Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Institute of Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Can Tho University, and Institute of Food Crops Research. There are 6,500 seeds of 34 species of seed bearing plants; 76 genera of monogenetic plants (potatoes, batata, and pine-apple) that are stored in-vitro (Dao Hap, 1999).

Conservation of genetic materials under type of frigid spermatic beads is only tested for cows.  Besides, the preservation of some bacterial strains and algae is being done in some research and training institutions/universities.

Since 1988, 4,406 individuals belonging to 36 strains of 25 economic fish species are preserved in some Institutes of Fishery Research (Nguyen Duong Dung, Pham Van Khanh et al., 1999).

Since 1992, Institute of Vietnam Agriculture Science and Technology has collected and preserved a genetic bank of  agricultural micro-organisms including about 500 strains of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, yeast etc.

Culture development

Beside natural exploitation, culture development that includes reforestation and  aquaculture, is an effective measure for protection of biological resources as well as biodiversity conservation.

In the Fishery sector, shrimp farms (pond type) of intensive aquaculture with high productivity in supra-littoral area will replace extensive aquaculture ponds with low productivity in middle littoral area in order to give back this area for restoration of mangroves, which support high natural biodiversity.

Family planning and population development

Vietnam is facing a challenge because of the exploitation of natural resources for meeting the needs of a rapidly growing population. Therefore, a combination of activities of family planning are needed that ensure harmonisation between use, management of resources and meeting the needs of the people.

Promotion of international co-operation

Since the past several years, some countries and international organisations have been supporting Vietnam's efforts at biodiversity conservation. This co-operation has yielded many good results in upgrading capacity, awareness, techniques, and actions for biodiversity conservation.

Results of BAP implementation and the priority issues in biodiversity conservation

The main achievements  in implementing the BAP during the period 1996-1998 were assessed in a workshop at Ha Noi (1998) and these are summarised in

Summary of major achievements in BAP implementation, period of 1996-1998