Van Long straddles seven communes (local Government administrative units) and is in the heartland of the populated centre of north-eastern Vietnam, 85km south of the capitol, Hanoi. All the 45,000 or so people who live in these seven communes in the buffer zone of Van Long are of the Kinh ethnic Vietnamese majority.
Van Long itself covers some 3,000 hectares and comprises two major geographic features. Firstly, Van Long is a large wetland and freshwater system. Secondly, the canals, lakes and streams wend through an island-like landscape of karst limestone mountains that harbour the only viable population of the Delacour’s Langur – one of the world’s most critically endangered species of primate (with c. 240 to 250 individuals remaining, globally).
Conservation
Good governance
Community benefits
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve was established under the Decision No. 2888/QD-UB, dated 18 December 2001, of Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Committee. The Nature Reserve encompass seven communes of Gia Hung, Lien Son, Gia Hoa, Gia Van, Gia Lap, Gia Thanh, Gia Tan of Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province. The area of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is 2,734 ha. Of which forest on limestone account for 75%, wetland accounts for 25%.
Van Long conserves the largest natural inland wetland in the Northern Plain and also very famous for the largest population Delacour langur Trachypithecus delacouri in the world. Delacour langur is a globally threatened and endemic species of Vietnam. Van Long is now supporting more than 200 individuals or two thirds of global population, and the largest viable group. It is critical for the species’ survival.
In addition to the high biodiversity values, Van Long also support a number of cultural and historical relics, especially those relating to uprising of Dinh Tien Hoang King against China in the 10th century.
Wetlands and forests in Van Long play an important role for local communities as a source of critical ecosystem services for lives including both basics for their livelihoods as well as regulating local climate and water for domestic uses and productions.
Van Long was also recognized as a Ramsar Site on 10 February 2017 (the 9th Ramsar Site of Vietnam and 2360 of the world).
EAGL statement:
Van Long NR is an important PA in the special-use forest network (the only official protected area system of Vietnam), where supports high and unique biodiversity values as well critical ecosystem services for local livelihood.
Since its establishment, in last 20 years, the site has archived important conservation outcomes, for both natural and social values. The site has been governed, managed in appropriate manners to ensure the long-term integrity of its values. The site conducted extensive site and governance assessments with IUCN support to prepare their nomination.
In Vietnam’s context, the justifications and performance evidences provided by site representative against Green List indicators are acceptable and proofed by EAGL.
Reviewer statement (Nguyen Than Linh):
Although a minor finding that the site lacked to submit verifiable evidence for a PA definition against the indicator 2.1.1. Overall the site has provided meaningful evidence for all Indicators.
A site visit with stakeholder consultation (e.g. Gia Hoa Commune People’s Committee, Da Han and Vuon Thi village leaders, boatmen, Ecotourism Cooperative) has been conducted by three EAGL members and has been documented by a site visit report. The final site visit report has been shared with other EAGL members for their reading before the EAGL meeting. The EAGL meeting has remotely conducted via Zoom conference. During the meeting, the EAGL has reviewed all Indicator Verifications, came to a conclusion on the Site and has provided a summary report on COMPASS. At the end of the EAGL meeting, 7 participating EAGL members have jointly voted for Van Long to be Green List Status. There is no conflict of interest for the EAGL member participation and voting. The section “Candidate Phase EAGL Assessment” has been adequately completed by the EAGL after the meeting.