International experts who visited the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve in Ho Chi Minh City said the area could become a global model for nature conservation and sustainable growth. The visit shows how a protected mangrove zone can also support local people and city development.

During a field trip organized by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the delegation from the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves observed the reserve’s mangrove ecosystem and its management. They noted that Can Gio’s blend of mangrove protection and development activities could offer valuable lessons for other biosphere reserves. The reserve was Vietnam’s first UNESCO‑recognized biosphere reserve in 2000.

Experts such as Kwang Sub Jang and Dr. Huynh Duc Hoan stressed that urban development is inevitable but must go hand in hand with ecosystem conservation and the protection of local livelihoods. They argued that a biosphere reserve should accommodate human activities while preserving nature.

The reserve also has strong potential for ecotourism. Hoan explained that developing tourism linked to the local community can create new livelihoods for residents and motivate them to take part in managing and protecting the mangrove ecosystem. This approach is seen as a way to turn Can Gio into a model biosphere reserve.

Can Gio shows that protecting mangroves, supporting sustainable urban growth, and involving local people in ecotourism can coexist. Its experience offers a practical blueprint for other biosphere reserves seeking balanced development and conservation.