Dong Nai: Promoting the advantages of large natural forests to develop experiential tourism

In addition to its strength as an industrially developed province, Dong Nai is also the locality that maintains the largest area of ​​natural forest in the Southeast. The forests in Dong Nai have rich biodiversity resources with thousands of rare species of animals and plants that are well preserved. This is the potential to exploit and develop ecotourism under the forest canopy.

In recent years, Dong Nai is one of the localities with fairly developed forest eco-tourism, with the number of visitors coming to visit and experience the forest increasing.

Visitors enjoy the experience

According to statistics from Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Reserve, Dong Nai is the leading province in the Southeast region in terms of forest area with more than 181,000 hectares.

In recent years, on average each year, the unit welcomes more than 35,000 visitors registering to visit, study, and experience activities in the forest.

Travel companies, schools, students, pupils… from neighboring provinces and cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai come to register for experiential and learning activities in the forest , especially walking, cycling, and learning about the forest ecosystem.

Ms. Phan Tuyet Dan (living in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City) said this is the third time she has returned to Ma Da forest in Dong Nai Cultural Nature Reserve. Every time she comes here, she often signs up for a 2-day, 1-night tour with camping activities in the Tri An lake area and participating in cycling in the forest.

According to Ms. Phan Tuyet Dan, cycling on trails through the forest with many winding bends and shady green trees always brings a fresh feeling, making all the stress in life wash away.

What impressed her most when coming here were the green old forests, diverse vegetation, and seeing many centuries-old trees standing tall in the vast green forest.

“Only about 40 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Ma Da forest is an extremely suitable ‘healing’ location. It feels really interesting to ride a bike under the forest canopy, exercise, relieve stress, and explore and open your eyes to the interesting things of the green forest. The deeper you go into the forest, the cooler and fresher the air becomes,” Ms. Phan Tuyet Dan shared.

As a drawing teacher, on average twice a year, Ms. Nguyen Hanh Ngoc (Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai) signs up for a forest walking tour for drawing students to experience, to better understand nature. and develop creativity.

Ms. Nguyen Hanh Ngoc said that every field trip to the forest, the students are very curious and interested in the wonders of nature. During the tour and walk in the forest, you will be guided by forest rangers and introduced to the forest vegetation and characteristics of wild animals. These are always great experiences, helping you understand more about the forest and wild animals; Especially helps you reduce stress and fatigue after hours of school and class.

Mr. Bui Van Toan, Deputy Director of the Center for Ecology-Culture-History of War Zone D, said that each year the Center receives and guides tens of thousands of visitors to experience activities in the forest. After each trip, most of the Centers receive very positive feedback from visitors because the forest brings fresh air and tranquility to help visitors feel comfortable and relaxed. Before the end of the trip, there were many tourist groups promising to continue coming back in the near future.

At the end of 2023, the People’s Committee of Dong Nai province approved the Ecotourism, resort and entertainment project of Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Reserve for the period 2021-2030.

The project is implemented on a total area of ​​more than 100,000 hectares, of which more than 68,000 hectares is forestry land where there are rich biodiversity resources, suitable for developing eco-tourism combined with relaxation and experience. , explore forests and nearly 33,000 hectares of Tri An lake water surface, where there are more than 70 large and small islands that can exploit many tourism products to experience forests and lakes.

Ensuring safety for visitors and the forest

According to Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Reserve, experiential tourism is a trend and the demand of tourists is huge. However, in each experience trip, in addition to creating satisfaction for tourists, the most important thing is to ensure life safety, maintain hygiene, and protect the vegetation and ecological environment of the area. forest during the trip.

Mr. Bui Van Toan, Deputy Director of the Center for Ecology-Culture-History of War Zone D, said that for the exploitation of eco-tourism in the forest, the most feared risk is forest fire, especially in the forest. deep. Therefore, to ensure the safety of the forest and tourists, before each trip, the Center often has a specific plan to suit the purpose of each tourist group.

Each group of tourists making an experience trip in the forest has a tour guide and forest ranger to lead the group, guide and promptly handle any incidents that occur. The Center’s team of tour guides are fully trained in forest knowledge, wildlife and how to handle emergency situations.

Along with that, before each trip, tourists must have an agreement and commit to comply with the management unit’s instructions and regulations on forest protection, what should and should not be done while in the forest. If tourists choose to experience long distance routes, they must report to the local ranger stations for timely support options.

Mr. Bui Van Toan said that the Center is focusing on exploiting experiential tours with short routes, where there is a diverse ecosystem network so that visitors can understand the value of the forest, experience it, and go into the field. As for long routes where wild animals can be encountered, the center has not exploited them much and is developing specific regulations for the trip to ensure safety for visitors.

“Hopefully in the coming time, relevant functional sectors and planners will join with the Conservation Area to build more professional tours and long-distance travel routes to meet the needs of sightseeing and tourism. Exploring and studying helps tourists have the best experience,” Mr. Bui Van Toan added./.