Thua Thien-Hue authorities are wanting to transform Bach Ma Mountain and Bach Ma National Park into a high-class eco-tourism site, according to Le Truong Luu, chairman of Thua Thien-Hue People's Council.

Hai Vong Dai at Bach Ma Summit

The tourism site will cover 400 hectares including two main areas: the infrastructure, roads and cable stations area and a tourism area that can receive 500,000 visitors a year during 2020-2030 period and up to one million visitors after 2030.

Bach Ma National Park is one of seven biggest natural reserves in Vietnam. Thua Thien-Hue Province have held several conferences about the project in recent years to find the best ways to make the most of Bach Ma National Park while preserving the ecosystem. According to the authorities, they will plan on using French-style architecture.

The local authorities hope to link the economic-socio development of the province with the national park's conservation work via tourism.

Bach Ma National Park was set up in 1991, covering over 22,031 hectares. In 2008, it was expanded to nearly 37,500 hectares. The climate in the park is cool with large amounts of rainfall and it is known for the raw beauty and majestic landscape. Bach Ma National Park has many high mountain peaks at 1,000 to 1,444 metres high with rich vegetation. Average temperatures are only around 16 to 22 degrees and the hottest months never reach higher than 25 degrees.

It has 1,406 recorded plant species with many rare and valuable trees, herbal plants and flowers. It is also home to 931 species of fauna including 83 rare mammal species such as bear, leopard, tiger, and sao la.

In 1932, the French built a resort in Bach Ma Mountain with 139 villas, market, bank, post office and 19km of roads. The resort has been renovated and put into use again.

TTVH/Dtinews