The five-kilometre walk is among six sports events due to be held at the U Minh Ha National Park during the coming Southern Liberation Day (April 30) and May Day holiday.

U Minh Ha National Park announced the various sports and cultural events to celebrate the liberation of the south, including the 500-metre and 2.5-kilometre runs, the five-kilometre walk, the 800-metre boat race, fairs and exhibitions featuring local culture and specialities on April 11.

According to local authorities, the park was currently at extreme risk of forest fires due to prolonged droughts, so they decided to suspend the walk event to ensure safety.

"More than 37,500 hectares of forest are suffering from drought, including 23,100 hectares at highest risk of forest fires," local authorities said.

A fire recently burnt down over 40 hectares of forest in the Tran Van Thoi District on April 10, the largest fire reported for over a decade in the province.

After the fire, Ca Mau Chairman Huynh Quoc Viet sent urgent directions to U Minh Ha National Park management, asking for tightened measures to prevent fires in the area.

The U Minh Thuong National Park in the southern province of Kien Giang has also temporarily closed to visitors to help in fire prevention efforts.