CONNECTING NATURE – CULTURE - COMMUNITY THROUGH ECOTOURISM

As part of the 7th Regional Assembly of the Southeast Asia ICCA Network, held in Van Ho District, Son La Province, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) shared its experience in promoting ecotourism and community-based tourism as practical approaches to biodiversity conservation in Vietnam.

Figure 1: CCD’s ecotourism expert shares practical experience at the Regional Assembly.

Figure 2: The Regional Assembly provides an opportunity for stakeholders to connect and exchange perspectives and experience in community governance, ecotourism, and community-based tourism linked to biodiversity conservation.

Through its Ecotourism Planning and Development Support Programme, CCD works to unlock the natural and cultural potential of national parks, nature reserves, and other areas of outstanding ecological value. The programme aims to generate sustainable financing for conservation while creating local employment, strengthening livelihoods, and enhancing the role and responsibility of forest-dependent communities in safeguarding nature and cultural heritage.

Figure 3: CCD organizes nature and cultural learning and experience programmes at exemplary community-based tourism sites. Pictured is a landscape tree-planting activity to enhance the community tourism space in Ngoc Chien commune, Son La province.

Figure 4: CCD provides bee colonies and essential equipment to standardize honey production processes, improve product quality, and strengthen the brand of mangrove honey in coastal communes of Ninh Binh province.

Figure 5: CCD supports the preservation and development of the traditional crafts of the Raglai ethnic community in Hon Dung village, Khanh Son commune, Khanh Hoa province. Pictured is a local basketry artisan in Hon Dung village.

CCD also presented practical lessons drawn from its collaboration with protected-area authorities and local communities. These experiences cover ecotourism planning, community capacity building, tourism product development, and the establishment of equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, as well as the integration of natural-resource monitoring and biodiversity conservation into tourism activities.

Figure 6: CCD organizes programmes that offer participants opportunities to experience nature-friendly ways of life in ethnic minority communities. Pictured is a traditional sticky rice cake-making activity with the H'Mong community in Pung Luong commune, Lao Cai province.

Figure 7: CCD provides training in visitor reception and hospitality skills to support the development of community-based tourism in Vin village, Bat Mot commune, Thanh Hoa province.

Figure 8: CCD organizes nature and cultural learning and experience programmes at national parks and protected areas across Vietnam. Pictured is an experiential visit to Xuan Thuy National Park, Ninh Binh province.

CCD’s presentation attracted considerable interest from participating organisations and delegates, encouraging discussions on knowledge exchange, model replication, and opportunities for regional cooperation. The session contributed to connecting locally led initiatives and advancing shared efforts to balance biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and the preservation of local cultural identities.