The project, invested by Song Hien CNF Trading - Tourism Co., Ltd., is being carried out in the Ru Linh primary forest, located within the communes of Vinh Hoa and Hien Thanh in Vinh Linh district.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Thien Tung, vice chairman of Vinh Linh People's Committee, said he expected the project to be completed on time and swiftly go into operation.

"After tireless efforts from provincial authorities in coordination with the investor, the project has now entered the construction phase," said Tung. "We hope the investor will adhere to the schedule, enabling the project to be operational and contributing to the local economy soon."

The first phase of the project was expected to be completed and operational midway through this year, followed by the the second phase. However, due to the pandemic, the implementation of several of the project's components were delayed.

Le Huu Hau, director of Song Hien CNF Co., Ltd., said that the company aims to build Ru Linh into a nature-friendly complex. "If everything goes smoothly, starting in 2025, the tourism area will begin welcoming domestic and international tourists," Hien said.

Flowers and temporary bamboo structures outside the primary forest

The Ru Linh ecotourism project received initial approval from Quang Tri People’s Committee in 2016, with a total investment of almost $12.8 million and covering 200 hectares. After considering feedback from various departments, sectors, and local authorities, Quang Tri People's Committee decided to approve a revision to the project’s investment policy in 2022. As a result, the total investment was reduced to roughly one-third of the original amount, amounting to $5.2 million, and the project’s scale was adjusted to 137 ha.

According to Quang Tri's Department of Planning and Investment, following the extension of the project timeline at the end of 2023, Song Hien demonstrated its financial capability with a deposit amounting to almost $1.68 million.

Vinh Linh People's Committee also reported that, based on a field inspection, Song Hien had not undertaken any activities affecting the current condition of the Ru Linh forest, nor had it caused any environmental damage or impacted groundwater. The company had only utilised ploughing machines for soil preparation in advance of flower planting.

Ru Linh, often referred to as the 'green lung' of Quang Tri, is renowned for its rich and diverse ecosystem. This primary forest is home to numerous rare and valuable species of flora and fauna. Recently, the local community has been working to protect and preserve Ru Linh's natural environment.

The forest remains relatively undiscovered by both domestic and international tourists, with no organisations leveraging its tourism potential. The forthcoming Ru Linh ecotourism project is expected to generate employment opportunities and boost income for workers in Quang Tri and neighbouring regions. This will help alleviate unemployment and entice skilled workers back to their hometowns. Additionally, the project is poised to enhance the appeal of Ru Linh to tourists, fostering cultural exchange, developing rural services, and increasing provincial tax revenues.