Vietnam: What criteria is the establishment and recognition of natural heritage sites according to current regulations?

Main Content

• What do natural heritage sites include?
• According to what criteria is the establishment and recognition of natural heritage sites according to the provisions of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection in Vietnam?
• What are the procedures for establishing and recognizing other natural heritage sites in Vietnam?
• What are the documentation requirements for appraisal of the project on establishment of other natural heritage sites in Vietnam?

What do natural heritage sites include?

Pursuant to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 20 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection in Vietnam, natural heritage sites include:

- National parks, nature reserves, habitat/species management areas, landscape protected areas established in accordance with the law on biodiversity, forestry and fisheries; landscapes recognized as cultural heritage established in accordance with the law on cultural heritage;

- Natural heritage sites recognized by international organizations;

- Other natural heritage sites established and recognized in accordance with this Law.

Vietnam: What criteria is the establishment and recognition of natural heritage sites according to current regulations?

According to what criteria is the establishment and recognition of natural heritage sites according to the provisions of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 20 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection in Vietnam, the establishment and recognition of natural heritage sites shall be based on any of the following criteria:

- They are of outstanding, unique or exceptional natural beauty;

- They provide excellent examples of ongoing ecological and biological evolutionary processes or furnishes habitats for endangered, precious, rare or endemic species or are sites of exceptional biodiversity or are of significance for biological diversity conservation;

- They are outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;

- They play a significantly important role in climate regulation, water protection, ecological balance and provision of ecosystem services.

At the same time, according to Clause 2, Article 19 of Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP stipulating criteria for a number of natural heritage sites as follows:

Biosphere reserve

Biosphere reserve means an area which satisfies the criterion “be of significance for biological diversity conservation” specified in point b clause 2 Article 20 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection in Vietnam and is elaborated as follows:

- It encompasses a mosaic of ecological systems representative of major biogeographic region(s);

- It has clearly defined boundaries to facilitate the management zoning as prescribed in this Decree, carry out activities, build and pilot a model combining biodiversity conservation, use of ecosystem services, sustainable socio-economic development, support for research, communication and education about environmental protection, nature conservation and biodiversity.

Geopark

Geopark means an area which satisfies the criterion specified in point c clause 2 Article 20 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection in Vietnam and is elaborated as follows:

- It has clearly defined and seamless geographical and administrative boundaries and houses a geological heritage of scientific, educational and economic significance.

- It is an outstanding example representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life or significant geomorphic features, has nature and biodiversity values and is researched, assessed, conserved, exploited and used in a holistic and sustainable manner.

What are the procedures for establishing and recognizing other natural heritage sites in Vietnam?

Pursuant to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 19 of Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP stipulating the procedures for establishing and recognizing other natural heritage sites as follows:

- Carry out investigation and assessment of the natural heritage site to be established;

- Set up a natural heritage site establishment project;

- Seek opinions of agencies and organizations concerned and consult communities about the natural heritage site establishment project;

For the natural heritage site in at least 02 provinces or central affiliated cities, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall seek opinions of other Ministries, ministerial agencies and People’s Committees of provinces concerned;

- Organize appraisal of the natural heritage site establishment project dossier;

- Complete the dossier and submit it to a competent authority for its decision to recognize the natural heritage site.

What are the documentation requirements for appraisal of the project on establishment of other natural heritage sites in Vietnam?

Pursuant to the provisions of Clause 6, Article 19 of Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP stipulating documentation requirements for appraisal of the project on establishment of other natural heritage sites as follows:

- Documentation includes:

+ A natural heritage site establishment project report;

+ Relevant agencies’ written opinions about the natural heritage site establishment project;

+ Written request for appraisal of the natural heritage site establishment project;

- The appraisal of the natural heritage site establishment project shall cover:

+ The degree of satisfaction of criteria for establishing the natural heritage site;

+ Geographical location, boundary and area of the natural heritage site, natural heritage site management zones;

+ Objectives for natural heritage site management;

+ Contents of management and plan for environmental protection of natural heritage site plan;

+ Management model;

+ Resources for managing and organizing management of the natural heritage site.