Kien Giang announces World Biosphere Reserve

Written by Nguyen Quoc Thiet Sunday, 04 July 2010 19:27

Kien Giang’s reserve was recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on

Kien Giang announces World Biosphere Reserve

October 27, 2006. This is the second largest world biosphere reserve in the Mekong Delta.

Located on over 1.14 million hectares, the biosphere covers three parts, the Phu Quoc National Park, the U Minh Thuong National Park and the Kien Luong-Kien Hai coastal forest. Each has its own characteristics, but all of them are home to the fauna and flora of coastal wetland areas.

U Minh Thuong National Park plays an important role in conserving the ecosystem of mangrove forests and the Mekong Delta. The park preserves Iutra sumatrana, listed in the Vietnamese and World Red Books.

Phu Quoc National Park has plant species migrating from three regions, Malaysia-Indonesia, Hymalaya-Yunnan (China) and India-Myanmar. Phu Quoc has 529 plant species of 120 families, in which 42 species have been listed in the Vietnamese and World Red Books. The buffer and development zones also have a diverse sea ecosystem. In this 10,000 ha area, nine species of seaweed grow, providing a food resource that ensures the existence of dugon.

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Kien Giang gets UNESCO certification

Last Updated on Sunday, 04 July 2010 19:33 Written by Nguyen Quoc Thiet Sunday, 04 July 2010 19:26

Mekong Delta Kien Giang biosphere reserve received United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) certification at a ceremony on Thursday in Kien Giang Province's Rach Gia City.

It was formally recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2006.

Katherine Muller Marin, chief representative of UNESCO in Ha Noi, said the biosphere reserve zones of Viet Nam have greatly contributed to preserving the world's most important ecological systems.

The reserve will also help Kien Giang Province boost ecotourism and better manage the negative effects of global warming, she added.

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Mekong Delta nations meet to discuss tourism

Written by Nguyen Quoc Thiet Wednesday, 02 June 2010 00:19

A seminar was held in Phu Quoc island district in the southern province of Kien Giang on May 28 to discuss how to develop tourism in the Mekong Delta region.

Representatives from several Vietnamese State agencies and tourist agencies from the Mekong sub-region countries attended the seminar.

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Island investors on notice

Written by Nguyen Quoc Thiet Wednesday, 02 June 2010 00:15

Phu Quoc Island projects are facing review and alterations following the prime minister-approved adjusted master plan to develop Phu Quoc to 2030.

Decision 633/QD-TTg released by the prime minister last week stated that Phu Quoc would become a special economic and administrative centre for Vietnam. It would also become a destination for domestic and international resorts and entertainment, urban development, and forest and marime preservation centres.

Pham Vu Hong, chairman of the Phu Quoc district People’s Committee and director of the Phu Quoc investment and development management board, told VIR that under the new master plan, all projects in the island district would have to be reviewed and those that were not suitable would need to be adjusted.

“We will review all projects which have been proceeding in the district and the ones that are not suitable will have to be temporarily stopped until the investors alter the project in line with the new plan,” Hong said.

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