On the morning of August 26, 2025, in Ha Noi, WWF-Viet Nam took part in the “Meetings with INGOs in Viet Nam 2025” conference, themed “Connecting local governments with INGOs for Viet Nam’s sustainable development”, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representing WWF, Dr. Van Ngoc Thinh – Country Director of WWF-Viet Nam – shared global best practices in harmonising economic growth with environmental conservation.

WWF introduced four key models being successfully implemented in Viet Nam:

• Community-based Ecotourism: Linking conservation with local livelihoods, with notable examples in the buffer zones of Cát Tiên National Park (Đồng Nai), A Lưới (Huế), Đông Giang and Cù Lao Chàm (Quảng Nam), as well as coastal areas such as Rú Chá (Huế) and Hòn Yến (Phú Yên). Local communities are directly involved and benefit from responsible tourism activities.
• Certified Sustainable Agriculture & Fisheries: WWF supports farmers, fishers, and businesses in achieving certifications such as MSC, ASC, and FSC to access international markets. Practical applications in the Mekong Delta (rice–shrimp farming, pangasius) and in Central Viet Nam (FSC-certified plantation forests) are helping to increase export value while safeguarding natural resources.
• Payment for Ecosystem Services (PFES): Piloting community–national park cooperation models in protecting upstream forests and water sources. WWF has partnered with businesses such as HEINEKEN to implement initiatives in Đồng Nai, Phú Thọ, and Tiền Giang; and with VELUX in forest restoration, contributing to the national NDC while delivering both economic and environmental benefits.
• Ecosystem Restoration: Replanting mangrove forests in the Mekong Delta and upstream forests in Central Vietnam helps mitigate salinity intrusion, reduce disaster risks, and enhance livelihoods from fisheries, carbon, and ecotourism.

Amid Viet Nam’s administrative boundary restructuring, WWF proposes integrating small-scale projects into multi-sectoral programs aligned with provincial master planning. At the same time, WWF recommends that the Government and local authorities improve procedures and streamline administrative processes to increase flexibility and efficiency in collaborating with international organisations. 

“Success comes when local people see clear economic benefits from conservation — that’s when they become true champions of sustainability,” said Dr. Van Ngoc Thinh.