With outstanding natural values, the coastal wetland area covering on Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Ninh Binh provinces in the Red River delta has been recognised by UNESCO as The Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve since 2004. The meeting was a forum for managers at all levels and stakeholders to discuss the essential cooperation in managing and using these valuable natural resouces wisely.

The participants from goverment agencies, local departments and authorities of three provinces, other Biosphere Reserves in Vietnam and other agencies and organisations.discussed the values and importance of the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve in the national sustainable development context, especially trans-provincial nature and the cooperation between the involved provinces in building and developing these precious values.

The ideas at the meeting demonstrated that  it is necessary to organise a cultural and tourism festival to celebrate this significant and noble recognisation. The festival will be an important cultural and tourism event of the country. Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve representative was also excited to share with other participants about Hai Phong experience in organising a similar festival in 2005.

"This is a kick-off event. Ideas for organising the festival raised in this meeting will be a starting point for the following discussion focusing on not only the detail organising plan of "The Cultural, Tourism Festival for recognition of the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve title" but also the cooperation mechanism between the involved provinces and government agencies in effectively managing this Reserve for natural conservation and economic development goals" said Ho Thi Yen Thu, MCD Vice Director.

The preparatory meeting was co-organised by The Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) and the Vietnam Man and Biosphere Programme (VietnamMAB).