4 eco-friendly resorts perfect for families.

About the author

Cao Manh Tuan

• Year of birth: 1978
• Place of residence: Hanoi
• Hobbies: Traveling and sharing information with the community.

Cao Manh Tuan has nearly 20 years of experience working on ecological conservation in Vietnam. Besides his main job as a reporter covering ecological and animal protection, he also manages numerous Facebook Fanpages and Groups, such as: [page name].VTV3,Animal world, groupPeople who like to travel...

Cat Ba: A promising destination

Although Cat Ba is being developed for tourism, most visitors still come to it for relaxation rather than ecotourism. However, with the advantage of having 367 islands belonging to the Ha Long Bay system and the centerpiece being Cat Ba National Park (a world biosphere reserve), Hai Phong is gradually transforming it into an ecotourism destination for nature lovers.

The most popular traditional tourist routes in Cat Ba are relaxing getaways combined with visits to fishing villages and overnight stays on boats. Existing eco-tourism routes include a 27km cross-island road, exploring Cat Ba National Park, learning about local animals, and navigating through the system of limestone caves both above and below sea level. Simply cruising around the National Park by boat allows visitors to easily spot groups of golden-headed langurs and white-legged langurs playing and foraging on the cliffs near the sea, or the hornbills with their distinctive "giant" beaks.

Due to the impact of industry and tourism, coral reefs and seaweed in Cat Ba are now scarce. If you want to see them, you have to go to the National Park area, which is strictly protected. Currently, there are many projects aimed at restoring coral reefs, seaweed, and marine life here, but they have not been effective and it will probably take a long time before they recover.

Phu Quoc: Hidden Untouched Beauty

When mentioning Phu Quoc, most tourists immediately think of an area experiencing rapid development in resort tourism; but for eco-lovers, no matter how developed the Pearl Island becomes, there are still many hidden corners to explore and discover its pristine beauty.

When talking about ecotourism in Phu Quoc, the first thing to mention is the primeval forest. With its dense vegetation, multi-layered forest, and system of streams and small waterfalls, exploring it alone can easily take a whole day. The fauna here is also very diverse, with 30 species of mammals, including some listed in the Vietnamese Red Book such as the forest wolf, white monkey, and gibbon; along with 200 species of birds and 50 species of reptiles… If you have enough opportunity and luck, you might even encounter sea turtles, dolphins, and dugongs underwater.

Despite its popularity and crowds, Phu Quoc still has many secluded beaches with not a soul in sight. You can book a boat trip to Rach Vem and freely explore the pristine areas, or venture into the mangrove forest to pick mushrooms, observe millipedes nearly 30 cm long, or see tiny sunbirds that often fly in pairs with beautiful songs… Another fun experience suitable for children is trying your hand at being a farmer for a day in pepper, myrtle, or vegetable gardens. These types of services aren't offered by many companies, but you can still find them if you book in advance.

Con Dao Island: Vietnam's ecological stronghold.

Con Dao Island was once famous as a destination for spiritual tourism, but in the last 5 years, ecotourism has become the island's new highlight. Domestic and international tourists, especially young people, frequently visit Con Dao to experience activities such as assisting turtles in their birthing, scuba diving, and mountain climbing. For those who love ecotourism, there are many special things about Con Dao that can keep them coming back, such as: conquering the peaks of the mountain range, searching for endemic monkey species, observing the nocturnal life of tank crabs, exploring ancient coral reefs, volunteering to rescue turtles, cleaning up trash on beaches or under coral reefs, and learning about rare plants such as ginseng, oil palm, and Melaleuca mushrooms.

To date, the forest fauna of Con Dao has recorded 144 species, including several endemic animals such as the black squirrel, the black squirrel, the Con Dao deer mouse, and the Con Dao gecko. The marine ecosystem here is also diverse and rich with approximately 1,321 species of marine life, 37 of which are listed in the Vietnamese Red Book, many of which have high economic value such as seafood and seaweed.

Con Dao Island is also home to rare marine animals such as blue whales, dugongs, and piranhas. Of course, it's worth mentioning that it currently has the largest number of sea turtles coming to lay eggs in the country. Each day, up to 20 mother turtles can arrive at the beaches throughout Con Dao to give birth.

Ninh Van: A "precious" destination

Tourists often have to think carefully when choosing a vacation spot in Ninh Van, as it currently only has two of the most expensive resorts in Vietnam. However, for those with the financial means and a love for nature, Ninh Van is the top choice, as it offers the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in nature.

When mentioning Ninh Van, the first thing that comes to mind is the rare population of black-footed langurs, which are currently under strict protection. While it's usually very difficult to spot them, many people vacationing in Ninh Van easily see them coming down to the foothills to play or forage for food and water. Besides langurs, there are many other wild animals here that are very tame. The most common are squirrels, birds, and lizards, which even fly and jump right in front of tourists without any fear.

The marine ecosystem in Ninh Van is also incredibly unique. Completely isolated from the free tourist area, with no fishing boats, the sea in Ninh Van is very clean and clear, with many areas suitable for coral diving and observing marine life. If you want to experience eco-tourism, in addition to services provided by resorts such as kayaking, snorkeling, and diving, you can also try other services outside the resort such as mountain climbing, wildlife viewing, and fishing with local fishermen. However, these outsourced services require tourists to have good skills in navigating the forest, a high level of environmental awareness, and often lack insurance, being mostly self-organized.

Notes for families participating in ecotourism tours.

1. Provide accurate information.

When registering for tours, travel companies always ask specific questions to each individual, such as their health status and dietary restrictions. Some specialized tours, such as scuba diving or paragliding, will ask more detailed questions about the means of transportation your family will use, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or mental health conditions, etc. Families are required to answer truthfully and accurately. This helps the tour organizers make appropriate preparations and ensure the safest possible trip.

2. Set a good example for young children.

Be brave and set a good example for your children instead of being afraid to "take their place." During my family exploration trips, many parents, instead of letting their children experience new things, prevent them from interacting with and learning about the surrounding environment. This can ruin the organizer's plans and stifle the children's perfectly legitimate need to explore and be curious. For children to comfortably embrace new things, parents must set a good example and create a sense of security for them first.

3. Prepare your personal belongings carefully.

Take the initiative to prepare your own necessary equipment. Always pack a light jacket, dry food, sweets, and water in your backpack. Choose compact items for sun protection, rain protection, and insect repellent for easy carrying. Finally, make sure your shoes are suitable for the journey, because if they are not, you will quickly experience foot pain and return with some degree of foot injury.

Cao Manh Tuan