Located downstream of the Thu Bon River, the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve has a total area of ​​about 33,475 hectares, divided into three functional zones, namely the core zone, the buffer zone, and the transitional zone. It is among few biosphere reserves with high biodiversity, carrying the distinctive features of the Southern Central Coast’s ecosystem, possessing great potential and overwhelming advantages for tourism and marine economic development, holding a position of importance in terms of defence and security within the seaward defensive posture of Quang Nam province and Military Region 5.

Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve as a tourist attraction

According to scientific studies, the core zone of the biosphere reserve (Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area) is home to a large number of marine creatures, including 311 species of coral, 311 species of fish, 101 species of seaweed, 5 species of sea grass, 159 species of mollusc, 22 species of crustacean, 22 species of echinoderm, 70 species of worm as well as hundreds of species of phytoplankton and zooplankton, such as turtle, dolphin, charonia tritonis, and half-naked pen shell. According to surveys carried out less than 100 metres high, the Cu Lao Cham special use forest has more than 288 species of medicinal plant found among old trees, such as diospyros siamentsis warb, iron-wood, dipterocarpus retusus blume, litsea lancilimba. Within the forest, there are some rare plant species, such as “renanthera” and “santai wood”; 4 plant species have been recognised as Heritage Trees of Viet Nam by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, namely cluster of 3 Red Sycamore trees, Banyan tree, Cocoon tree, and Branch tree. The forest has 12 mammal species, 13 bird species, 130 reptile species, and 5 frog species, including salanganes which have been listed the Vietnam Red Data Book (Animals).

In the buffer and transitional zones, mangrove ecosystem prevails and is characterised by nipa palms (Cam Thanh nipa palm forest). Besides, within Cua Dai area, there are some other mangrove trees, such as tall-stilt mangrove, oriental mangrove, golden leather fern, dicot, and seagrape. Those zones have rich fauna, including 13 species of mollusc, mainly Clam, Oyster, and California mussel, 12 species of crustacean, mainly Blue Crab, Mud Crab, and greasyback shrimp, as well as 67 fish species of high economic value.

In addition to a diverse ecosystem, the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve is also a land which is rich in culture, tradition, and history; local people are always kind-hearted and hospitable; many relic sites still retain their unique artistic architecture as the evidence of interaction between the cultural periods of Sa Huynh, Champa, and Dai Viet. A part from Hoi An ancient town, Cu Lao Cham island still preserves testimonies of religion and belief constructed mainly in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, such as Dai Can temple, Hai Tang pagoda, and Lang Co pagoda. With distinctive values in terms of biodiversity, culture, and history, especially typical evidence of interaction between human race and nature in reserving and bringing into play global values, on 26 May 2009, Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An was officially recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Under the National Marine Spatial Planning of Vietnam and the socio-economic, cultural development master plan of Quang Nam province, the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve is receiving massive, all-round investments to become a typical example of outstanding efforts made by local party committees, authorities, and citizens in preserving and promoting biodiversity towards green, sustainable economic development.

CAO VUONG