I. Position and functions

The Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (hereinafter referred to as the Park Management Board) is a public service unit under the direct management of the Provincial People's Committee. The Management Board has the function of advising the Provincial People's Committee on the management, protection and development of special-use forests; scientific research; the provision of forest environmental services; and the conservation and promotion of the values of the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, which is recognized as a World Natural Heritage site and a Special National Monument, in accordance with the provisions of law.

The Park Management Board has legal personality, its own seal and separate bank accounts in accordance with law.

The Park Management Board operates as a public service unit under the mechanism of autonomy and self-responsibility, as prescribed in the Government’s Decree No. 60/2021/ND-CP dated June 21, 2021, on the financial autonomy mechanism applicable to public service units, and other relevant legal provisions.

II. Duties and powers

1. To organize the management, protection, development, and sustainable use of forests; to formulate and implement sustainable forest management plans; to conduct patrols and inspections for forest protection; to monitor forest changes; to implement forest fire prevention and fighting measures; to prevent and eliminate forest harmful organisms; and to conserve forest biodiversity, flora, and fauna in compliance with the Law on Forestry and other relevant statutory provisions.

2. To formulate and organize the implementation of short-term, medium-term, and long-term protection and management plans for the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park World Heritage Site upon approval by competent authorities; to conduct periodic monitoring of the Heritage site's conservation status as regulated; to promptly prevent infringing acts and report any risks adversely affecting the World Heritage site to competent state agencies.

3. To implement investment programs, plans, and projects for the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of the Special National Monument and the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park World Heritage Site; to apply scientific and technological advancements to the protection, preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the World Heritage site; to conserve geological and geomorphological values, aesthetic values, and natural landscapes; to conserve and develop flora and fauna to maintain the biodiversity values of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park; to organize activities for natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue, waste collection and treatment; to protect and prevent agents harmful to the environment and water sources within the World Heritage site; to contribute to improving the livelihoods of buffer zone communities; and to participate in research to propose processes and regulations for the preservation, restoration, and promotion of the World Heritage site’s values.

4. To organize the rescue, conservation, and development of forest organisms; to formulate and submit to competent state management agencies for approval, and to organize the implementation of investment plans, programs, and projects to restore natural ecosystems within Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in accordance with the law; to manage scientific research activities, the collection of genetic resources, and the exhibition of specimens; to monitor and organize the collection of information and data, establish databases, and prepare reports on the current status of biodiversity in the National Park as prescribed; to implement measures for disease prevention and control within the National Park; to conduct business and joint-venture activities in scientific research and other services as permitted by law; and to coordinate with functional agencies and local authorities in biodiversity conservation.

5. To organize or collaborate in organizing communication, promotion, exhibition, and introduction activities regarding the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park World Heritage Site; to conduct education and communication to raise public awareness and community participation in the protection and management of the World Heritage site.

6. To provide tour guiding and interpretation services for visitors at the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park World Heritage Site; to organize or collaborate in organizing tourism activities and services for public sightseeing, research, education, and recreation within the Heritage site; to assess the impacts of tourism activities and propose mitigation measures to minimize any negative effects on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the World Heritage site (if any).

7. To organize ticket sales, collect entrance and service fees; to manage and utilize revenues in accordance with legal regulations.

8. To participate in the management, collaboration, and supervision of investment activities, environmental protection, and the conservation and development of organisms within the World Heritage site and the buffer zone of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park; to coordinate with relevant levels and sectors to inspect and supervise socio-economic activities within the World Heritage site and its buffer zone; and to organize the implementation of environmental monitoring activities in compliance with the law.

9. To advise the Provincial People's Committee on implementing periodic and ad-hoc reporting and information regimes regarding the protection and management of the World Natural Heritage site to the Provincial People's Committee, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, relevant ministries, sectors, and the World Heritage Committee.

10. To organize the implementation of international cooperation programs. To mobilize, receive, and utilize foreign non-governmental and domestic aid for the rescue of forest fauna and flora, biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and the enhancement of livelihoods for buffer zone communities in accordance with legal regulations.

11. To develop an ecotourism, resort, and recreation project within Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and submit it to competent authorities for approval; to organize, cooperate, form joint ventures with, or lease the forest environment to organizations and individuals for conducting ecotourism, resort, and recreation business activities within the National Park, ensuring strict compliance with regulations.

12. To manage the organizational apparatus, staffing levels, structure of public employee professional titles, job positions, and contract-based employees in accordance with applicable laws and decentralization regulations; and to formulate and implement training and capacity-building plans aimed at improving the professional qualifications and skills of public employees and employees under its management authority.

13. To manage financial resources and assets in accordance with decentralization by the Provincial People’s Committee and the provisions of law.

14. To carry out other tasks assigned by the Provincial People’s Committee in accordance with the provisions of law.