Song Thanh is a forested area in Vietnam’s Quang Nam province with globally significant biodiversity and a strategic location linking four nature reserves. Over the past 18 years, Quang Nam province worked to upgrade this protected area into a national park. However, progress was limited until the USAID Green Annamites project started providing support in September 2019. Together with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Forest Protection Department, USAID Green Annamites conducted a biodiversity survey, collected socio-economic data, and organized meetings with communities in order to develop a dossier to request the upgrade of Song Thanh’s protection category for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s approval. USAID also helped Quang Nam authorities to consult with other relevant Ministries; establish an education center in Song Thanh; train its managers and staff to conduct biodiversity surveying; strengthen Village Patrolling Groups, Community Conservation Groups, and Tiny Ranger Clubs; and develop a sustainable financing mechanism. On December 18, the Quang Nam Provincial People’s Committee (QNPPC) officially named Song Thanh as a National Park, and on December 23, USAID Green Annamites and the QNPPC held a ceremony to recognize this achievement. Song Thanh is Quang Nam’s first national park and the fourth largest national park in Vietnam.

So What? The establishment of Song Thanh National Park will enable habitat regeneration and biodiversity conservation work, including efforts to protect a number of endemic mammals, such as the Owston’s civet, Annamite striped rabbit, and large-antlered muntjac. This support also aligns with the Indo-Pacific Vision’s goal of strengthened frameworks for natural resource management and environmental safeguards.