Natural heritages not yet properly exploited Scientists have warned that the negative impacts caused by the climate change and the human’s unreasonable treatment have both put Vietnam’s natural heritages at risk of getting damaged and polluted. The gap between potentials and the reality   Vietnam takes pride of its diversified natural heritages with biosphere reserves, national parks and heritage gardens. Besides the Ha Long Bay (in Quang Ninh province) and the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh) - the two famous natural heritages, Vietnam has 8 biosphere reserves recognized by UNESCO. These include the Can Gio Mangrove Forest (HCM City), Cat Ba archipelago (Hai Phong), Red River Delta coastal wetlands. According to MAB (Man and Biosphere) National Committee, natural heritages have the function of conserving the cultural and biological diversity, promoting the sustainable economic development, developing the culture in an appropriate manner, and facilitating the programs on environment education and sustainable development. In Vietnam, biosphere reserves contain the major ecosystems of the nations, including the ones rich in cultural values. Therefore, experts believe that the natural heritages can create favorable conditions to develop tourism. However, in reality, the majority of the heritages have been overexploited, or they have not been invested in an appropriate way. According to Nguyen Khac Lam from the Tay Nghe An Biosphere Reserves, where there is the Pu Mat National Park, the heritage still cannot “connect” with tourism, though there are great potentials to develop tourism with Thai minority typical cultural rituals. The problems lie in the fact that no specific tourism products have been designed, the transport system is poor, and the environment is not good enough. Nguyen Viet Cach, Secretary of the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserves, also admitted that the potentials of the biosphere reserve still have not been exploited. Preserving to develop, and developing to preserve In general, natural heritages cover very large areas. The zone 1 of Ha Long Bay covers an area of 400 square kilometers, while Phong Nha – Ke Bang 123,000 hectares, and the core area of Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve 14,000 hectares. There are people living, cultivating to earn their living in the heritage area. Therefore, the awareness of the community about the conservation and their behaviors play an important role in the preservation and development of the heritages. Tran Thi Hong Thuy from the Cu Lao Cham – Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, which has been recognized as obtaining great achievements in the natural heritage conservation, said all the activities carried out in Cu Lao Cham target the sustainable development. Cu Lao Cham is the first unit in the country which says “no” to plastic bags, assists local people to develop homestay tourism, persuade tourists to make contribution to the heritage preservation. The number of tourists to Cu Lao Cham has been increasing rapidly from 9,000 n 2007 to 200,000 in 2013, but the heritage still can retain its green color. Cu Lao Cham’s people now can earn VND20 million per capita per annum, or three times higher than previously. Therefore, they devote themselves to the heritage preservation. Source: Thien Nhien