The Cham Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA), 20km off the coast of Hoi An City, has been declared as the Cu Lao Cham, or Cham Islands Nature Reserve (Cu Lao Cham Nature Reserve), in an official announcement by Vietnam’s central province of Quang Nam.
The newly established Nature Reserve will cover on a total 23,530ha, of which 21,887ha was sea area and 1,642ha of the islands, along with the entire area of the ancient Hoi An City.
An area of 1,716ha reserves as a strict protected area and ecological system restoration zone for prolonged conservation.
The province said total funds of VND172 billion ($6.88 million) will be allocated for the reserve development in 2026-35.
Eco-tour services, biodiversity conservation and science and technology applications will be major activities in making the reserve a key center of community-based tourism, biodiversity research center as well as improving community livelihood in the coming decades.
Deputy director of the MPA, Nguyen Van Vu said the establishment of the reserve will help expand the strict protected area of primary forest and sea under integrated management, improving the conservation of flora and fauna species.
The establishment of the reserve on the base of MPA will further improve the rich natural value of the UNESCO-recognized Cham-Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve site.
The Cham Islands, which include seven islets (Lao, La, Dai, Tai, Mo, Kho and Cu) and the main Cham Island with 2,400 inhabitants, are one of the most popular destinations in Quang Nam Province.
It’s also one of three main attractions in Quang Nam Province – along with the world heritage sites of Hai An ancient town and My Son Sanctuary.
The MPA managing board reported that more than 80% of the population switched from fishing to the eco-tourism sector in recent years.
The islands are the only location in Việt Nam which have been promoting the non-use of plastic bags and ‘3R’ (reduce, reuse and recycle) programs since 2011, and fighting over-fishing, making this the first ‘zero waste and plastic waste’ destination in Việt Nam.
It welcomes around 400,000 tourists per year. (VietnamNews)