Dong Thap Province’s People’s Committee will set aside a budget of VNĐ 90 billion (US$4.03 million) to develop tourism infrastructure at Tram Chim National Park.

The five-year project will build roads that connect the park’s centre to tourist sites at the A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 sections.

Lakes and canals at the park will also be dredged, while tourism resources will be protected and conserved.

The project aims to develop eco-tourism by protecting and conserving natural resources and biodiversity, according to Nguyen Van Duong, chairman of the committee. 

The park in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province’s Tam Nong District with a total national area of 7,313 hectares is home to more than 130 species, including 150 species of freshwater fish and 198 species of water birds, including 16 rare birds such as the sarus crane and spotted-billed pelicans.

The park’s Centre for Tourism and Environmental Education operates green sightseeing tours to explore the park, including tours in the flooding season from July to November.

More than 10,000 Asian openbill storks had flown to the park this year, said Nguyen Thi Nga, an official of the park’s bio-conservation centre.

Thousands of bird’s nests had been seen and recorded at the park, Nga said.

"Conservation officials of the park regularly speak with local residents about the importance of protecting the rare birds," she said.

In 2007, the Asian openbill stork was listed in the Vietnam’s Red Book as an endangered species.

VNS