Chua Mountain in Ninh Hai district, the southern coastal province of Ninh Thuan, has just received the title of the World Biosphere Reserve on April 14. This is the recognition of the international community with the values of the natural landscape, biodiversity, and indigenous cultural values.
The new World Biosphere Reserve has a total area of more than 106,600 hectares, including forests, seas, and semi-deserts – home to a unique dry forest ecosystem of Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
The core area is Chua Mountain National Park, which possesses many values of forest and marine biodiversity with rare animals and plants, natural landscapes, and unique characteristics of the dry climate zone of Ninh Thuan.
This is the common home of more than 1,500 plant species, of which 54 species are recorded in the Vietnam Red Book and the World Red List (IUCN), and 765 animal species, including 46 rare species.
In the population of Chua Mountain National Park, there is also a rock park, located in Thai An village, Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, about 30 km east of Phan Rang city.
Chua Mountain is assessed by scientists as a place with a harsh climate with low rainfall and hot sun all year round, forming a typical semi-dry ecosystem.
Chua Mountain has the largest coastal coral reef in Vietnam with over 350 species and hundreds of marine animals being strictly conserved.
Rai Cave is located adjacent to the Chua Mountain National Park, about 35 km from Phan Rang city. Rai Cave has breakwater mountain terrain, and is an ancient coral reef millions of years old. It is like a paradise.
Located in the biosphere reserve, there is Vinh Hy Bay, one of the eight most beautiful bays in Vietnam, ranked as a famous scenic spot. Vinh Hy Bay has also been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national scenic relic./.