A beach on Cù Lao Chàm Island, part of the Cù Lao Chàm - Hôi An world biosphere reserve. VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG NAM A ceremony was held by the People’s Committee of Hoi An city, the central province of Quảng Nam, on May 23 to mark 15 years since Cù Lao Chàm - Hội An was recognised as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

Cù Lao Chàm - Hội An was granted the status by the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO on May 26, 2009 thanks to its unique and typical values that cannot be found anywhere else among the 11 world biosphere reserves in Việt Nam at present.

Among those prominent values, the site, established in 2006, is part of the system of national-level protected areas. It features Hội An Ancient Town – a cultural heritage site recognised by UNESCO in 1999, a nipa palm forest ecosystem in the mouth of the Thu Bồn River, a special-use forest on Cù Lao Chàm Island, a coastal protection forest system, and traditional craft villages with outstanding tangible and intangible cultural values associated with the land and people of Hội An throughout history.

The persons contributing to UNESCO's recognition of Cù Lao Chàm - Hội An as a world biosphere reserve receive certificates of merit from the administration of Tân Hiệp Island commune in Hội An City, Quảng Nam Province, at the ceremony on May 23. VNA/VNS Photo

According to UNESCO, this biosphere reserve is a typical and the clearest demonstration of the connection and harmony between the nature and humans. Located in the downstream Thu Bon River and linked with Cù Lao Chàm archipelago, it is home to all representatives of natural ecosystems along river branches, in coastal areas, and on islands around Hội An Ancient Town.

The world biosphere reserve title is the international community’s recognition of Hội An city’s remarkable efforts in preserving and bringing into play values of natural and human resources on the path to sustainable development.

On this occasion, visitors to Cù Lao Chàm between May 22 - June 3 have a chance to experience diverse and special activities such as a photo exhibition on the reserve’s biodiversity and nature protection efforts, a music show, and local traditional crafts. VNA/VNS