Vietnam is celebrated for its mesmerizing natural beauty and rich ecological diversity, ranging from Sapa’s terraced rice fields to the Mekong Delta’s lush waterways. This nation’s varied landscapes are sanctuaries for numerous species of wildlife, including the critically endangered Saola, also known as the Asian unicorn, and the Indochinese tiger. Vietnam’s coastlines support vibrant coral reefs, while its dense forests are home to hundreds of bird species, creating a haven for biodiversity.

Understanding the paramount importance of these ecological assets, Vietnam has taken proactive measures to preserve its environmental heritage. The government, in cooperation with local communities and global organizations, has established an extensive protected area system. These include national parks like Phong Nha-Ke Bang, known for its ancient limestone karsts and extensive cave systems, and nature reserves that protect vital habitats across approximately 10% of the country’s land area.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	50.9	142	N/A
Land Management	53	97	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	52	113	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	100	1	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	52	95	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)	7	76	N/A
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	89	138	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	51	43	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use	20	108	N/A
Threats to Biodiversity	64	80	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	77	144	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	64	67	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	89	93	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	84	101	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	0	165	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	59	5	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas	100	132	N/A
Invasive Species Pressure	99	36	N/A
Capacity and Governance	69	42	N/A
Total Management Cost	100	28	N/A
Conservation Culturomics	59	30	N/A
Conservation Legislation	49	51	N/A
Ratification of CBD	100	1	N/A
Ratification of CITES	100	1	N/A
Political Stability and Absence of Violence	50	63	N/A
Control of Corruption	44	85	N/A
Government Effectiveness	66	35	N/A
Future Trends	18	175	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	18	175	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

In the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula, Vietnam stretches over 1,650 km (1,025 miles) across 15 latitudes and features an extensive marine territory with a coastline of 3,260 km (2,026 miles) and thousands of islands. The country also has rich freshwater ecosystems, boasting over 10 million hectares (100,000 km²) of wetlands.

By 2006, Vietnam had established a comprehensive network of 128 protected areas covering 2.5 million hectares (25,000 km²) or 7.6% of its natural area. These protected areas, including 30 national parks, 48 nature reserves, 11 species/habitat conservation areas, and 39 landscape protection areas, are vital for preserving all important forest ecosystems and protecting endangered, rare, and endemic species of fauna and flora and their habitats.

Threats to Biodiversity

In Vietnam, biodiversity faces multiple threats, primarily due to population growth and associated increases in consumption. These include the overexploitation of natural resources, such as illegal timber logging, unsustainable fishing practices, and the illegal wildlife trade. Land use changes driven by significant infrastructure projects, agricultural expansions, and industrial plantations are reducing natural habitats, causing ecological fragmentation, and damaging wildlife habitats. Additionally, the introduction of alien species and climate change are exacerbating these issues.

Freshwater ecosystems in Vietnam are particularly impacted by overexploitation and large-scale infrastructure projects like dam construction, which disrupt aquatic habitats and ecological processes, alter water circulation, and lead to saltwater intrusion into rivers. Marine ecosystems are also under severe strain due to pollution from waste and oil spills. Unsustainable fisheries management and harmful fishing methods, including the use of explosives, poison, and electricity, pose critical threats to marine life, severely impacting over 80% of Vietnam’s coral reefs.

Capacity and Governance

Vietnam has significantly expanded its network of protected areas since 1990, increasing forest coverage to 38.2% and establishing 128 protected areas that cover 7.6% of the national territory. This includes 45 inland protected wetlands and plans for 15 marine protected areas. The country also boasts two Natural World Heritage Sites, four ASEAN Natural Heritage Parks, two Ramsar Wetlands, and six Biosphere Reserves.

Conservation efforts extend to both in-situ and ex-situ strategies, with ecosystem-based landscape planning, and the establishment of botanical gardens, zoos, and wildlife rescue centers. Gene banks preserve a vast array of plant species, and reforestation and species recovery programs are actively pursued. Sustainable use models provide local employment and help preserve traditional knowledge, contributing to environmental and biodiversity conservation.

Future Trends

The Vietnamese government has taken significant steps by finalizing the new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) extending to 2030, with a vision toward 2050, ahead of the global post-2020 biodiversity framework. Signed into effect on January 28 by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, the NBSAP aims to protect, restore, and enhance the connectivity and integrity of Vietnam’s ecosystems. The strategy underscores the sustainable use of biodiversity to support socio-economic development within a green economy framework while adapting proactively to climate change. It particularly focuses on conserving wildlife, especially endangered, rare, and precious plant and animal species, and outlines key tasks including intensifying biodiversity conservation efforts, restoring endangered species, preserving genetic resources, and regulating activities detrimental to biodiversity.

Biodiversity

Vietnam is renowned for its rich biodiversity, encompassing a wide range of ecosystems, including tropical forests, wetlands, coastal areas, and highland regions. The country’s diverse topography, which ranges from the lush Mekong Delta in the south to the rugged mountains in the north, supports an impressive variety of flora and fauna. Vietnam is home to more than 30,000 plant species, over 1,000 bird species, and numerous mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Notable wildlife includes the Indochinese tiger, the Asiatic black bear, and the critically endangered Javan rhinoceros. The country’s marine biodiversity is equally rich, with extensive coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds that support a myriad of marine life, including various fish species, mollusks, and crustaceans.

The high levels of biodiversity in Vietnam are attributed to its varied climate and geography, which create distinct habitats conducive to the evolution and survival of different species. The tropical monsoon climate, characterized by high humidity and significant rainfall, fosters lush vegetation and abundant water bodies, which are essential for many species’ survival.

In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Vietnam only):

	Species (World rank)	Threatened	% Threatened	Endemic	% Endemic
Mammals	357 (#23)	56	15.7%	30	8.4%
Birds	831 (#24)	51	6.1%	10	1.2%
Reptiles	543 (#12)	49	9.0%	112	22.5%
Amphibians	279 (#13)	50	17.9%	65	23.3%
Fishes	2,427 (#12)	154	6.3%	221	9.1%
Plants	13,500 (#19)	231	1.7%	200	1.5%