US Ambassador to Việt Nam Marc Knapper (centre) and representatives of Hoàng Liên National Park during the Wednesday visit. — VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh

LÀO CAI — One of the efforts taken by the US Embassy in Việt Nam is to help the country with sustainable development, and partner with local communities to protect Việt Nam's biodiversity, said US Ambassador to Việt Nam Marc Knapper.

He made the statement during a working session with leaders of the Hoàng Liên National Park in the northern border province of Lào Cai on Wednesday.

Director of the Hoàng Liên National Park Nguyễn Hữu Hạnh expressed his pleasure at welcoming the Ambassador at the ASEAN Heritage Park recognised by the grouping.

He said the Global Environment Fund ranked the Hoàng Liên National Park at A level, the highest level of biodiversity value in Việt Nam. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has designated the park as a centre of diversity for plant species. The park also serves as a headwater protection area for the Red and Đà Rivers and plays a vital role in providing water for socio-economic development in the downstream region.

According to the official, the park boasts many mountain peaks of over 2,000m, the highest of which is Fansipan at 3,143m. Fansipan mountain is often referred to as the "Roof of Indochina". The park's flora is characterised by a combination of tropical and temperate elements. It is now home to about 2,847 plant species, 147 of which are listed in the Việt Nam Red Book and the International Red Book. In addition, there are 555 terrestrial vertebrate species in the park, including 60 rare and endangered species listed in the Việt Nam Red Book and 33 others in the International Red Book.

Knapper, for his part, said that both Việt Nam and the US have big national parks and are striving to protect natural landscapes and relic sites there.

Earlier, he attended an event to raise awareness of human trafficking prevention and control and safe migration for teachers and students at Kim Đồng secondary school in Sa Pa town. The event was part of a project to help human trafficking victims reintegrate into the community funded by the Pacific Links Foundation of the US. — VNS