One thousand trees were planted on an area of 10 hectares at the Xuan Son National Park in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam last Friday in an effort to conserve water in the watershed of the Hong (Red) River.

They are manglietia conifera and michelia mediocris plants, which can withstand harsh sunlight and become fully grown in 15 years.

The activity was part of a four-year partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, brewer Heineken Vietnam, and the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF)-Vietnam. 

The water conservation program in the watersheds of the Red, Dong Nai, and Tien Rivers is funded at VND30 billion (nearly US$1.3 million) by the brewer.

The initiative helps contribute to restoring the ecosystem in the watersheds of the three rivers with a high biodiversity and economic value as the reforestation will improve the ability to regulate and supply water to locals in these areas and support downstream agricultural activities.

Apart from the reforestation, the ministry, the brewer, and WWF-Vietnam will also nurture over 400 hectares of forest to help improve the ecological function of the natural forest. 

The Xuan Son National Park lies in the watershed of the Red River.

It is the only park in Vietnam with primeval forests on limestone mountains, but its biodiversity and water resources have been impacted by human exploitation, as well as climate change. 

The initiative is one of the many efforts of Heineken Vietnam to protect watersheds, and acts as an important step toward the company’s 2025 ambition of 100 percent water balanced. 

“Through reforestation and different water management activities in critical river basins, we are working together to restore the ecosystem and replenish water for people, communities, and the environment,” said Holly Bostock, corporate affairs director at Heineken Vietnam.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!