Dong Nai ready to welcome investors in forest eco-tourism

Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee (now City Party Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai City People's Committee) Nguyen Thi Hoang (5th from left) witnesses the signing ceremony of the first forest environment lease contract at the Reserve in early 2026. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Under Decision No. 1606/QD-UBND dated April 22, 2026, issued by the former Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee (now Dong Nai City People’s Committee), approving adjustments to the Ecotourism and Resort Development Project for the Reserve for the 2021-2030 period (collectively referred to as the Forest Eco-tourism Project), Dong Nai aims to transform the Reserve into a regional center for ecotourism, resorts and environmental education in the Southeast region, harmonizing nature conservation, cultural and historical preservation, and green and sustainable economic development.

Shaping tourism destinations and routes under the master plan

With the goal of developing the Rserve into an eco-tourism, resort, and environmental education center for the Southeast region, harmoniously combining nature conservation, promoting cultural and historical values, and fostering green and sustainable economic development, the Forest Eco-tourism Project has mapped out 51 tourism sites for eco-tourism, resort, entertainment and service activities that can be connected through themed routes and ecosystem-based tourism products. Among them, the Ba Hao Lake area includes 11 notable destinations, while the area surrounding Tri An Lake features 17 sites. The Be River area contains three sites, while 13 additional destinations are located in other separate zones. In addition to these 51 destinations, the project also plans 37 eco-tourism, resort and entertainment routes with a total length of more than 1,200 kilometers.

Nguyen Van Ha, Director of the Ecological, Cultural, and Historical Center of War Zone D, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for the Implementation of the Forest Eco-tourism Project, said the Reserve has officially announced the leasing of forest environments for ecotourism, resort and entertainment businesses to interested organizations, enterprises and individuals.

According to the Forest Eco-tourism Project, after 2030 ecotourism development will expand to all remaining potential destinations identified in the master plan. The reserve aims to attract 300,000-350,000 visitors annually, with domestic tourists accounting for 90-95% and international tourists 5-10%. Annual tourism revenue is expected to exceed VND50 billion, while the return visitor rate is targeted at over 30%.

Based on the designated locations, boundaries and areas of the 51 ecotourism sites covering more than 42,500 hectares, together with the 37 tourism routes, the Reserve is inviting qualified investors to study and lease forest environments to develop tourism projects in line with the approved plan. Investors are required to comply with technical criteria issued by the reserve for selecting forest-environment lessees. The Reserve will receive applications from businesses, organizations and individuals until June 3, 2026.

Encouraging businesses to invest

According to the Forest Eco-tourism Project, tourism products at the reserve will focus on ecotourism, community tourism, cultural and historical tourism, eco-resorts and wellness tourism, sports and adventure tourism, eco-tourism combined with conferences and seminars (Eco MICE), and nature exploration and observation tours.

Tri An Lake is considered an ideal location for resort, sports and entertainment tourism products. In the photo: A professional kayaker practices on Tri An Lake. Photo: Ngoc Lien

According to the goals of the Forest Ecotourism Project, by 2030, Dong Nai plans to prioritize investment and development at eight high-potential eco-tourism destinations around Ba Hao Lake, Tri An Lake and nearby production forests through forest-environment leasing mechanisms. During this period, Dong Nai targets 180,000-220,000 annual visitors to the Reserve, including 92-95% domestic tourists and 5-8% international tourists. Tourism revenue is expected to reach VND25-35 billion per year, creating stable employment for 250-300 workers, of whom 70% will be local residents.

Speaking about the potential of forest ecotourism in Dong Nai in general and within the reserve in particular, City Party Committee member and Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang said tourism has been identified as one of the city’s key economic sectors for the coming period In particular, developing ecotourism, resort and entertainment services at the Reserve will help effectively utilize forest resources and natural landscapes while strengthening forest management, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. At the same time, it will improve local incomes and attract investment resources and high-quality tourism projects developed in a sustainable, green and environmentally friendly manner. The city welcomes investors to explore and sign forest-environment lease agreements in Dong Nai in order to unlock and promote the natural, cultural and historical values of the Reserve in the near future.