Việt Nam advised to promote development of forest-based ecotourism

HÀ NỘI — Boasting great resources of forest and forest land, Việt Nam is advised to develop forest ecosystem services, especially forest-based ecotourism to create jobs and improve incomes for locals, contributing to sustainable poverty reduction among mountainous communities. However, forest-based ecotourism in Việt Nam is still in its beginning stage with limitations in professionalism, management and resource use for tourism. Meanwhile, the research, baseline study and forest-based ecotourism development planning have yet to be conducted effectively. Đỗ Văn Lập, Vice Director of the Cúc Phương National Park, said that the park has organised various programmes, activities and tours in association with wildlife rescue and preservation. According to experts, Việt Nam needs to give suitable policies, strategies and approaches to diversify forest ecosystem services.