Pu Mat National Park receives ASEAN Heritage Park designation and celebrates its 30th anniversary.
On the afternoon of December 8th, in Con Cuong commune, Pu Mat National Park received the ASEAN Heritage Park title and celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Attending the ceremony were Comrade Tran Quoc Bao - Director of the Forestry Department; representatives from the Heritage Department; representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Bolykhamxay province, Laos; representatives from national parks, heritage parks, and nature reserves in Vietnam; and cooperation organizations. On the Nghe An province side were: Comrade Nguyen Hoai An - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of Con Cuong commune; Nguyen Danh Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment; and representatives from provincial departments, agencies, and local governments.
Preserving and promoting the "treasure" of national parks.
At the ceremony, participating delegates were introduced to the history, traditions, achievements, and sustainable development orientation in preserving and promoting Pu Mat National Park.
The Pù Mát Nature Reserve was upgraded to Pù Mát National Park by Decision No. 174/2001/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on November 8, 2001. Accordingly, the main functions of the Park include: Protection and development of special-use forests; Conservation and promotion of biodiversity and genetic resources; Conservation of nature, cultural, historical, and landscape values; Scientific research, international cooperation, rescue and development of wildlife; Environmental education and provision of forest environmental services; and Ecotourism development.
For the past 30 years, Pu Mat National Park has identified forest management and protection as its most important political task, implemented according to the motto "Protecting the forest at its source." Annually, forest protection forces conduct thousands of patrols, destroy illegal encampments, dismantle animal traps, and address illegal logging. Patrol work has seen many breakthroughs, such as the application of information technology and smart devices to support forest rangers. Pu Mat National Park is considered one of the most biodiverse special-use forests in Vietnam. It preserves many rare and valuable plant and animal species of national and international significance. More importantly, the populations of several endangered animal species in Vietnam and worldwide still have the potential for conservation and development within the park, such as: elephants, Trường Sơn muntjacs, striped rabbits, civets, sun bears, and Malayan sun bears.
Pu Mat National Park has always received cooperation and support from many domestic and international organizations and individuals, such as training cooperation and experience exchange with the Xi-Xoang-Ba-Na Tropical Botanical Garden. Many collaborative initiatives have been highly effective, including cooperation with the Wildlife Conservation Center in Vietnam and the Fauna and Flora International. Activities include forest protection, animal rescue, scientific research, environmental education, and livelihood development for people in the buffer zone. From 2017 to the present, 64 delegations from 26 countries have visited Pu Mat National Park to collaborate on biodiversity research.
Pu Mat National Park shares a border with the Lao People's Democratic Republic stretching nearly 68 km. Since 2010, the park has maintained a strong cross-border biodiversity conservation cooperation agreement with the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Bolikhamsai Province. The two sides alternately organize conferences to exchange experiences and conduct joint forest patrols and protection along the border.
Pù Mát National Park has received numerous prestigious titles and awards during its 30-year journey of construction and development: 28 Certificates of Merit from the People's Committee of Nghe An province; 8 Certificates of Merit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (including a Certificate of Merit for achievements in wildlife conservation during the period 2010-2020); 2 Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, the Government's Emulation Flag; and the Second Class Labor Medal awarded by the President in 2023. The park's Party Committee has consistently achieved the title of "Exemplary Clean and Strong" for many years, and has won the Vietnam Environment Award for the periods 2010-2015 and 2021.
Strengthening international integration and exploiting the multi-purpose value of forests.
To promote its image, enhance international integration, and exploit the multi-purpose value of its forests, Pu Mat National Park proposed recognition as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP) in 2020. The proposal received the Prime Minister's approval; the ASEAN Biodiversity Centre conducted a field assessment and recognized the park as meeting 12 selection criteria. Pu Mat National Park was officially recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park at the ASEAN Environment Ministers' Meeting on September 3, 2025.
Speaking at the ceremony, representatives from the Forestry Department and the Heritage Department congratulated the achievements of the collective and people of Pu Mat National Park; and at the same time highly appreciated the value of preserving the heritage of Pu Mat National Park. The representatives also
On this occasion, Pu Mat National Park received the ASEAN Heritage Park Recognition Certificate. The Pu Mat National Park collective was presented with a banner by the Provincial People's Committee; one collective (Pu Mat National Park Forest Protection Unit) and six individuals received Certificates of Commendation from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for their outstanding achievements in the construction and development of Pu Mat National Park.
Five groups and 15 individuals received Certificates of Commendation from the Director of Pu Mat National Park for their contributions to the park. Sponsors also donated gifts to disadvantaged families in Mon Son and Tam Quang communes, which are located in the buffer zone of Pu Mat National Park.
