On April 17, 2026, Cat Ba National Park solemnly held the 40th Anniversary of its Establishment (1986–2026).

Attendees at the ceremony included representatives from various central ministries and sectors; representatives of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO; the Vietnam National Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Committee; leaders of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee and various city departments and agencies; leaders of the Party Committee, People’s Council, and People’s Committee of Cat Hai Special Zone; representatives of National Parks and World Biosphere Reserves across Vietnam; representatives of World Heritage Management Boards in Vietnam; as well as representatives from research institutes, universities, scientists, domestic and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), units in the city’s Emulation Bloc No. 5, partnered organizations, and enterprises.

At the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Thiu, Director of Cat Ba National Park, delivered the Commemorative Speech for the 40th anniversary of the park’s establishment:

(Mr. Nguyen Van Thiu, Director of Cat Ba National Park, speaking at the anniversary ceremony)

On March 31, 1986, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now the Prime Minister) signed the decision to establish Cat Ba National Park. This was not merely an administrative decision, but a reflection of the State’s strategic vision and responsibility, representing a strong commitment from previous generations to safeguard and conserve precious natural values for today and future generations.

At its inception, Cat Ba National Park covered a total area of 15,200 hectares, spanning the administrative boundaries of Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City, comprising 9,800 hectares of forested mountains and 5,400 hectares of water surface. This structure demonstrated that from the very beginning, the National Park was designated as a comprehensive conservation area, encompassing closely interlinked forests, limestone mountains, aquatic zones, and coastal habitats. To date, the total area of Cat Ba National Park has been expanded to 17,362.96 hectares.

Cat Ba National Park is a land that converges exceptional values in landscape, geology, geomorphology, ecosystems, and biodiversity; it is a harmonious culmination of humanity and nature, history, culture, and the aspiration for sustainable development.

Over 40 years of establishment and development, Cat Ba National Park has received cooperation and support from 15 domestic and international NGOs in investing, enhancing management capacity, and sustainably developing the island’s natural resources.

(Delegates attending the anniversary ceremony)

Affirming the future orientation, Mr. Nguyen Van Thiu, Director of Cat Ba National Park, emphasized: the unit will continue to promote sustainable building and development, proving itself worthy of being a nature, biodiversity, and heritage conservation center of national and international stature in the new era. Simultaneously, it strives to become an exemplary model of the synergy between nature conservation and sustainable development.

Attending, directing, and speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tran Van Quan, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee, acknowledged and highly praised the efforts of generations of cadres, officials, and employees of Cat Ba National Park over the 40 years of establishment and development. The achieved results have significantly contributed to the city’s socio-economic development, serving as the foundation for UNESCO to recognize the Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Biosphere Reserve and, together with Ha Long Bay, as the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Natural Heritage Site.

(Mr. Tran Van Quan, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee, speaking at the ceremony)

“Over 40 years of establishment and development, under the attentive leadership and direction of the Ministry of Forestry (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), the City Party Committee, People’s Council, and People’s Committee of Hai Phong, along with various levels and sectors, Cat Ba National Park has continuously grown and achieved many significant milestones. Thereby, the unit has actively contributed to the overall development of the Agriculture and Environment sector, while making practical contributions to the socio-economic development of Hai Phong City in particular, and the entire country in general.”

On this occasion, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee Tran Van Quan requested city departments, boards, and sectors; agencies and units in the Cat Hai Special Zone; armed forces; residents of the buffer zone, and non-governmental organizations to continue their support and strengthen close coordination with Cat Ba National Park in fulfilling political tasks, particularly in the management and conservation of biodiversity in the area.

On the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of Cat Ba National Park, the Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee presented the unit with a commemorative banner reading: “Solidarity, construction, development, innovation, creativity, successfully fulfilling the mission of conserving natural resource values.”

(Mr. Tran Van Quan, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee, speaking at the ceremony)

Alongside this, the Chairman of the City People’s Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to two individuals with outstanding achievements: Mr. Vu Van Huong, Head of the Planning – Finance Department, and Mr. Luong Van Hung, an officer at the Phu Long Forest Ranger Station, under Cat Ba National Park.

(Mr. Tran Van Quan, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee, awarding Certificates of Merit to two individuals from Cat Ba National Park)