New opportunities for eco-tourism in Vietnam's forests
By Ha Linh
August 29, 2024 | 05:23 PM GMT+7
Vietnam's newly issued Decree 91/2024/ND-CP is expected to remove legal barriers hindering the development of eco-tourism, resort, and entertainment projects in forests, paving the way for sustainable tourism growth.
The decree, which amends and supplements certain provisions of Decree 156/2018/ND-CP, provides clearer legal frameworks for businesses investing in eco-tourism.
Dinh Ngoc Dung, Director of the Vietnam Planning and Forestry Consulting Joint Stock Company, said the new decree addresses previous regulatory shortcomings, making it easier for projects to move forward.
"Decree 91 introduces specific definitions for eco-tourism, resort, and entertainment projects in forests, something that was lacking in Decree 156. This clarity allows investors to better understand the required processes and procedures," Dung said.
The decree also simplifies the process for leasing forest environments, which had been a major obstacle for tourism projects. The new regulations clarify the steps from selecting organizations and individuals to lease forest environments to managing, monitoring, and assessing contract implementation.
Obtaining construction permits for eco-tourism and resort facilities has also become more straightforward, with streamlined requirements for proving legal land ownership.
Decree 91 explicitly states that legal documents from forest owners and forest environment lease contracts will serve as the basis for issuing construction permits, reducing time and easing the burden on businesses.
A luxury resort nestled in a national park in Ninh Thuan province. Photo: Hoang Anh
Another significant change is the shift in authority for approving the conversion of forest land use. The power to make these decisions has been transferred to provincial People's Councils, cutting processing times from 50 to 35 days and expanding the range of projects eligible for land-use conversion.
However, Dung emphasized that some challenges remain, particularly in the appraisal of feasibility studies and construction permit applications for forest environment lease projects.
He urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to quickly issue detailed guidelines to help local authorities implement Decree 91.
Additionally, he called on the government and the Ministry of Construction to update relevant regulations to ensure consistency and effectiveness in project execution.
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