29 May 2012: The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) has announced that the Government of Viet Nam has designated Tram Chim National Park as its fourth Ramsar site.

The listing was announced during the fourth Forum on “Nature and culture conservation for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta,” held on 21 May 2012, in the city of Cao Lanh, Dong Thap province, Viet Nam. The site brings the number of Ramsar sites worldwide to 2,000.

The celebration of the designation of Tram Chim as a Ramsar Site was attended by local officials, members of the local community and students. Viet Nam’s designation contributes to one of the goals contained in the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2015, which is to reach a protected area of 250 million hectares by 2015. [Ramsar Press Release]