Sam Son Proposed Cultural and Historical Site
| Alternative site name(s) Nui Truong Le Province(s) Thanh Hoa Area 543 ha Coordinates 19°43' - 19°46'N, 105°52' - 105°56'E Agro-ecological zone North Central Coast Decreed by government No Management board established Yes |
Investment plan prepared Yes VCF eligibility criteria met C Social screening criteria met None Conservation needs assessment prepared No Operational management plan prepared No Tracking tool completed No Yes |
Management history
Sam Son is not included on any government decision or official set of proposals regarding the Special-use Forests system (MARD 1997, FPD 2003). However, the establishment of a cultural and historical site at Sam Son was approved in 1991, by Decision No. 115NN/UB-TH of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee. The area of the cultural and historical site given in this decision was 543 ha (FPD 1998). According to Thanh Hoa Provincial FPD (in litt. 2000), a cultural and historical site management board was established on 4 June 1986, following Decision No. 226 of Sam Son Town People's Committee. The management board currently has 12 members of staff, based at three guard stations (Hoang Trang Ngoi, Sam Son Town People's Committee in litt. 2003). An investment plan was prepared for the proposed cultural and historical site in 2003 (Hoang Trang Ngoi, Sam Son Town People's Committee in litt. 2003).
Topography and hydrology
Sam Son proposed cultural and historical site is located in Sam Son town, on the coast of north-central Vietnam. The site contains a flat sand beach, which is bisected by a limestone promontory called Mount Gam. The main surface drainage in the area is a small tributary of the Lach Chao river, which disgorges into the sea a few kilometres north of Sam Son town.
Biodiversity values
Sam Son proposed cultural and historical site supports 368 ha of plantation forest (Thanh Hoa Provincial FPD in litt. 2000). Because of the absence of natural habitats and the high levels of human disturbance, the proposed cultural and historical site can be expected to have low importance for biodiversity conservation.
Conservation issues
The recreational and amenity values of Sam Son proposed cultural and historical site are threatened by tourism development, in the form of construction, sewage and solid waste.
Other documented values
Given the popularity of Sam Son town as a tourist destination, the proposed cultural and historical site has high recreational and amenity values. Sam Son town was first developed as a holiday resort by the French colonial regime in 1907. Because of its scenic landscape and location close to Thanh Hoa city, the site has retained its popularity until the present day: many hotels have been built at Sam Son town, and bathing areas have been developed along the beach. The proposed cultural and historical site also has cultural values, in the form of several pagodas and temples (Hoang Tuan Pho 1999).
Related projects
No information.
Conservation needs assessment
A conservation needs assessment has not been conducted for the site.
Operational management plan
An operational management plan has not been prepared for the site.
Eligibility against VCF criteria
Sam Son is ineligible for VCF support because it does not meet the criteria for supporting forest biodiversity of international importance. In addition, Sam Son is a cultural and historical site.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
|
| AII |
|
| BI |
Proposed Special-use Forest |
| BII |
|
| BIII |
Under provincial management |
| CI |
Management board established |
| CII |
Social screening requirements
A social screening report has not been prepared for the site.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| A |
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| D |
Literature sources
Hoang Tuan Pho (1999) Sam Son: the sacred land of the golden tortoise. Vietnam Cultural Window 16: 10-12.
Click here to download pdf file
