Eco-tours in Vietnam

Vietnam's Forests.

Following the expulsion of the French, by the Viet Minh under Ho Chi Minh in 1954, the divided country went to war for the next 20 years, with the United States. The United States used blanket bombing, napalm and chemical defoliants such as agent orange in large areas of south Vietnam, and in Cambodia along the Ho Chi Minh trail. Food growing areas, settlements and natural areas, namely forests and mangroves, were almost totally extinguished over large areas.

Map of Eco-sites in Vietnam

Following the ending of hostilities there has been further pressure on Vietnams forests from a rising population. The land has undergone intense clearance to develop agriculture and increased logging for building material and firewood. The inevitable consequence is that the remaining natural tropical forest, that covers 19% of the country, is being degraded and destroyed.

During the past decade The Ministry of Forestry has been working with international aid agencies to draw up proposals for the protection of the remaining forests and expansion of the land area under forest, recognising the ecological, hydrological and resource value of forests.

It has already identified important forest remnants and designated National Parks, and nature and forest reserves. Initial surveys have been conducted and management plans have been drawn up for some to restore and protect remnants. In many cases the plans include the provision of buffer zones around these to attempt to conserve the best remaining forest, provide sustainable forests for the population, and address the problems of soil erosion and defoliated land.We have put together a selection of tours to some of the more accessible of Vietnam's protected areas.

These tours will give you an introduction into the unique flora and fauna that this country has to offer.

Tours available:

North Vietnam - Cat Ba Island	North Vietnam - Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve
North Vietnam - Ba Be National Park	North Vietnam - Tam Dao
Central Vietnam - Ba Na	South Vietnam - Nam Cat Tien National Park

All tours are based on the following:

Including:
· Accommodation with meals as indicated in the programme
· Transfers, tours with English speaking guide
· Entrance fees, boat fee
· Service charges, room tax and handling fee
Not included:
· International airport tax in Hanoi at USD 10.00 nett per person
· International airfare to/from Hanoi
· Personal insurance
Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry & etc.

These trips are ONLY for those who really want to see unique & unusual world-class Biodiversity. Your trip will be comfortable, clean & safe, accommodation is simple, but comfortable and meals locally produced.