(VNF) - Located in An Minh and Vinh Thuan Districts, Kien Giang Province, about 365km South-West of Ho Chi Minh City, U Minh Thuong National Park is recognised as one of the three highest priority sites for Wetland Conservation in the Mekong Delta.

A bird-eye view of a corner of the U Minh Thuong National Park. (Source: vietnamnationalpark.org)

U Minh Thuong National Park in the southern province of Kien Giang has made progress in turning itself into a friendly tourist destination.

From a tourist site with simple services in 2004 like fishing, natural discovery and sightseeing trips, the park has expanded to providing accommodation, boat tours and souvenirs for tourists.

Coming to the park, tourists will have a chance to explore flooded Indigo forests, join recreational activities and visit historical relic sites and local communities. (Photo: Internet)

Infrastructure here has much improved, with more towers being built for tourists to see rare animals and plants hidden in the forests.

According to Pham Quoc Dan, director of the park, U Minh Thuong welcomed 50,040 tourists in 2015, doubling the 2007 figure. The number in the first nine months of 2016 was 50,000.

In the coming time, the park management board will make efforts to persify tourism products and create new tours in order to develop the park into a hospitable destination, said Pham Quoc Dan, director of the park.

It will focus on promoting the image of the park through the delivery of books, manuals, films, photos and discs on the park and the regular organisation of meetings with travel agencies. The board is also stepping up activities to protecting the environment. (Photo: Internet)

U Minh Thuong National Park is a new destination with great potential for sustainable tourism development, providing interesting experiences for those who love nature and wants to explore local unique cultural features, Mr. Dan said.

U Minh Thuong National Park is one of the last remnants of climax peat swamp forest in the biogeographic region and a home to distinctive flora and fauna including 32 mammal species, 187 bird species, 34 reptile and amphibian species, 37 fish species, and 203 insect species. ​

The National Park was being acclaimed Ramsar status on February 22^nd, 2016. This recognition marks U Minh Thuong as the 2228^th RAMSAR site of the world, and the 8^th one of Vietnam, together bringing more significant spiritual, historical, archaeological, educational and scientific value for the country and community. ​ ​

Image: Asian openbill (Scientific name: Anastomus oscitans) © Hoang Minh Duc / U Minh Thuong NP / WWF-Vietnam

Image: Crab-eating macaque (Scientific name: Macaca fascicularis) © Pham Quoc Dan / U Minh Thuong NP / WWF-Vietnam

Image: Open habitat – Aquatic plants © Tran Van Thang / U Minh Thuong NP / WWF-Vietnam

( Compiled by VNF )