Den Hung Cultural and Historical Site
| Alternative site name(s) Hung Kings' temples Province(s) Phu Tho Area 285 ha Coordinates 21°21' - 21°22'N, 105°16' - 105°20'E Agro-ecological zone North-eastern Decreed by government Yes 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
Den Hung was decreed as a cultural and historical site by Decision No. 41/TTg of the Prime Minister, dated 24 January 1977, with an area of 285 ha (MARD 1997). A management board for the site was established on 21 November 1989 by the former Vinh Phu Provincial People's Committee. The management board currently has 62 permanent members of staff and 27 contracted staff (Phu Tho Provincial FPD in litt. 2003). An investment plan for the site was prepared in 1997, and approved by the provincial people's committee. This investment plan gave the total area of the site as 285 ha (Phu Tho Provincial FPD in litt. 2000).
In 2002, a new investment plan for the site was prepared (Phu Tho Provincial FPD in litt. 2003). This investment plan was approved by Decision No. 89/TTg of the Prime Minister, dated 12 July 2002. According to the Prime Minister's decision, the total area of the site is 538 ha, and the management category is "national forest". As there is no legislative basis for the category of national forest, it is considered here to be a category of Special-use Forest, equivalent to cultural and historical site.
Den Hung is included on a list of Special-use Forests to be established by the year 2010, prepared by the FPD of MARD, as a 285 ha cultural and historical site (FPD 2003); this list has not yet been approved by the government.
Topography and hydrology
Den Hung Cultural and Historical Site is located in Hi Cuong commune, Lam Thao district. The site is situated in an area of low hills between the Lo and Red Rivers. Elevations at the site range from 50 to 160 m.
Biodiversity values
There is very little information available about the biodiversity values of the site. According to Anon. (2000), there are only 13 ha of natural forest at the site, with the other forest being plantations of non-native species. Based on the extremely small area of natural forest, the presumed high levels of disturbance and the high degree of isolation from areas of natural habitat, the cultural and historical site can be considered to have few or no biodiversity values.
Conservation issues
The major threats to the forest at Den Hung Cultural and Historical Site identified by Phu Tho Provincial FPD (in litt. 2000) are firewood collection, uncontrolled grazing of cattle, pests and lightning strikes.
Other documented values
Den Hung Cultural and Historical Site was establish to protect a complex of temples built to commemorate the Hung Kings. The Hung Kings were the legendary founders of Van Lang, an ancient kingdom that existed 4,000 years ago in what is now Vietnam. Den Hung Cultural and Historical Site is situated close to Viet Tri town, and access is good from Hanoi. Consequently, the site attracts a large number of visitors each year.
Related projects
A project to rehabilitate the tropical forest ecosystem at Den Hung was implemented in 1997. This project was funded by the government of Switzerland (Phu Tho Provincial FPD in litt. 2000).
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
Den Hung is ineligible for VCF support because it does not meet the criteria for supporting forest biodiversity of international importance. In addition, Den Hung is a cultural and historical site.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
|
| AII |
|
| BI |
Decision No. 89/TTg, dated 12/07/02 |
| 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
Anon. (2000) [Outline of investment plan for Den Hung Cultural and Historical Site, Phu Tho province]. Hanoi: Forest Inventory and Planning Institute. In Vietnamese.
Vietnam News (2002) The must-see pilgrimage to the nation's birthplace. Vietnam News 21 April 2002.
Vietnam News (2002) Three new national parks declared. Vietnam News, 17 August 2002.
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