Geography

Biodiversity Facts

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Vietnam is situated in the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula and stretches over 15 latitudes (1,650 km). Its marine territory is large and consists of a coastline 3,260 km in length and thousands of islands. The country is also rich in freshwater ecosystems, possessing more than 10 million hectares of wetlands. Vietnam is also highly diverse in terms of species of fauna, flora and microorganisms. For the past two decades, many new species of fauna and flora have been discovered and described (this relates in particular to mammals and Orchidaceae).

In regard to terrestrial ecosystems, more than 13,200 species of flora and approximately 10,000 species of fauna have been identified, while more than 3,000 aquatic species have been identified in the interior wetlands. The tropical marine area has more than 20 typical ecosystems and is home to more than 11,000 marine species. Also, possessing 16 crop groups and more than 800 different species, Vietnam is notably considered one of the world’s plant breeding centres. Biodiversity resources have contributed to sustainable livelihoods over many generations through the provision of food security and health care, especially for local people living in remote areas who are directly dependent on resource exploitation.

Biodiversity

Vietnam’s first National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) was approved by the Prime Minister in 1995. The second NBAP was completed in 2007, covering 5 broader goals, accompanied by specific and measurable objectives and indicators. Its key objectives were to: consolidate and develop the special-use forest system; regenerate 50% of degraded watershed forests; effectively protect valuable and endangered plants and animals threatened with extinction; establish 1.2 million hectares of internationally and nationally important protected wetlands and marine protected areas; regenerate 200,000 hectares of mangrove forests; develop exhibitions for the sustainable use of plants and animal resources; control, prevent and halt the exploitation, trade, and consumption of endangered wildlife species; examine 100% of imported species and gene resources; educate and raise awareness of the public on biodiversity conservation, development and sustainable use so that 50% of the population regularly receives information about biodiversity.