In today's era of rapid technological advancement, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for monitoring and surveying wildlife has overcome many limitations of traditional methods- especially in dense forest terrains like those found in Vietnam. Satellite imagery also plays a vital role, allowing experts to read and analyze topography, vegetation cover, hydrology, boundaries, and more. This helps identify species distribution areas, detect changes over time, and recognize threats - all while visualizing data clearly and effectively. These insights provide valuable scientific evidence for species conservation efforts. In September, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) organized an intensive training course on spatial database management and conservation data using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, as well as UAV application in biodiversity monitoring. This hands-on training was supported by Conservation Vietnam, guided by highly experienced instructors. We are committed to applying advanced technologies like GIS and UAVs in biodiversity research and monitoring to enhance both the efficiency and reliability of our work at CCD and with our partners. The scientific evidence we gather not only supports the conservation of rare and endangered species, but also equips environmental educators, managers, and policy-makers with clearer, more accurate data to inform their decisions.

Ea Sô Nature Reserve (over 26,800 ha), located in the transitional zone between the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands, is home to a rich assemblage of flora and fauna, including many endemic and rare species. A 2025 survey conducted by Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) in collaboration with the Ea Sô Nature Reserve Management Board recorded numerous endangered and critically threatened species such as: silver-backed chevrotain, gaur, banteng, Indochinese silvered langur, black-shanked douc, green peafowl, lesser fish eagle, Dak Lak narrow-mouth frog, along with valuable plant species such as Dalbergia cochinchinensis (Siamese rosewood) and Dalbergia oliveri (Burmese rosewood). This biodiversity richness not only highlights the exceptional value of Ea Sô but also poses significant challenges for management and protection in the face of pressures from hunting, resource extraction, and unsustainable use in the buffer zone. To enhance community participation in conservation efforts, CCD has worked with the Reserve Management Board and local authorities in buffer zone communes to implement an environmental communication program, including: Training in communication skills for reserve staff Implementing a long-term communication program in buffer zone villages The program aims to: Raise awareness Foster community pride in their natural heritage Emphasize the indispensable role of local communities in safeguarding and restoring biodiversity. This marks the first comprehensive communication program on biodiversity conservation at Ea Sô. CCD is committed to continuing its support, expanding activities to all buffer zone villages, and contributing to strengthening community knowledge, responsibility, and action in protecting, preserving, and promoting the unique natural values of Ea Sô.

Aiming to foster sustainable green and community-based ecotourism, in August 2025, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with the Management Board of Xuan Thuy National Park (Ninh Binh province), developed a Master Plan for Ecotourism, Leisure, and Recreation Development in Xuan Thuy National Park through 2030, with a vision to 2050. The plan focuses on identifying and zoning signature tourism sites and routes based on natural conditions, biodiversity values, and local cultural heritage. At the same time, it proposes solutions to attract investment in tourism infrastructure while strengthening the park’s management and monitoring capacity to ensure sustainable tourism development. This approach contributes to enhancing biodiversity conservation and restoring the unique ecosystems of this internationally important wetland area. CCD will continue to accompany Xuan Thuy National Park in tourism planning, management capacity building, and developing community-based tourism models. These efforts are expected to create stable income sources for local communities, while also raising public awareness of nature conservation and the protection of the Red River Delta’s biodiversity values. Did you know? In 1988, the Xuan Thuy Wetland Reserve was recognized as Vietnam’s and Southeast Asia’s first Ramsar Site - a wetland of international importance, particularly as a stopover for migratory waterbirds. On January 2, 2003, the reserve was officially upgraded to Xuan Thuy National Park, covering a total natural area of 7,110.08 hectares. With its outstanding biodiversity and cultural values of the Red River Delta, in December 2004 UNESCO designated Xuan Thuy as a core area of the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve. Located at the mouth of the Red River, Xuan Thuy is home to a wide range of wetland flora and fauna characteristic of northern Vietnam. It provides habitat for more than 222 waterbird species, including many globally threatened species such as the Black-faced Spoonbill, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, Spot-billed Pelican, etc. Its mangrove ecosystems are equally rich, with characteristic tree species such as Kandelia candel, Sonneratia caseolaris, Avicennia, and Rhizophora apiculata Blume . The park’s buffer zone also preserves unique cultural values of the Red River Delta, such as traditional thatched-roofed houses and ancient cheo (oral folk music performance). The harmony of natural and cultural values gives Xuan Thuy a distinctive appeal and opens up vast potential for tourism development, generating additional income for local communities while providing resources for conservation efforts.

On August 20, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) and Ea Sô Nature Reserve held a sharing session on the results of a biodiversity survey conducted at the Ea Sô Nature Reserve and the Krông Năng Watershed Protection Forest (Đắk Lắk Province), which documented hundreds of rare plant and animal species in the two areas. After more than two months of field surveys and camera-trap monitoring, numerous bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species listed in Việt Nam’s Red Data Book were recorded. Notably, CCD experts discovered the silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor) , also known as Vietnam mouse deer — a species previously only confirmed in Khánh Hòa, Ninh Thuận, and Phú Yên (former administrative boundaries). In addition, the team successfully rediscovered the lesser fish eagle ( Icthyophaga humilis ) in the wild after more than 20 years. CCD expects that these biodiversity survey results will support Đắk Lắk Province in its process of merging the Krông Năng Watershed Protection Forest into the Ea Sô Nature Reserve to establish a national park. As part of the collaboration between Ea Sô Nature Reserve and CCD, the upcoming program will include training sessions to strengthen communication and environmental education capacity for staff and forest rangers in both areas; forest protection awareness campaigns in buffer-zone communities; surveys and monitoring of migratory bird and mammal species; and the establishment of community-based forest patrol teams.

Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, located in Dong Nai Province, covers an area of more than 100,000 hectares and is home to numerous rare, precious, and endangered species of fauna and flora. Among the plant species here, Dalbergia oliveri ranks among the most critically endangered timber species worldwide and is strictly protected under Vietnamese law. In alignment with the Reserve’s efforts to protect and restore Dalbergia oliveri , Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is implementing a conservation project for endangered timber species of the Dalbergia genus, including Dalbergia oliveri and Dalbergia cochinchinensis , with financial support from the International Tropical Timber Organization - ITTO. With the goal of conserving and planting at least 10,000 trees of the two species, this August–September, at the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, CCD will plant at least 6,000 Dalbergia oliveri trees over an area of approximately 15 hectares. The saplings used for reforestation are at least two years old, over one meter in height, grown from seeds of native genetic origin, and nurtured by local communities living near the Reserve. Throughout its operations, CCD has been working with various partners to: Restore populations of rosewood species (Dalbergia) in their former habitats; Conserve the genetic resources of endangered native trees; Enrich forest stands and enhance biodiversity values; Reforest and rehabilitate degraded forests using native species; Promote community participation in plant conservation efforts Join us in witnessing the growth journey of Dalbergia oliveri as part of this dedicated effort to safeguard one of Vietnam’s most precious timber species at the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve.

Kon Ka Kinh National Park – Gia Lai province covers a total area of 41,913.78 hectares, located about 50 km from Pleiku City and spanning four communes: Ayun, Đăk Rong, Krong, and Đăk Sơmei. Not only is it home to a diverse ecosystem with many rare and endangered species, but it also offers a wealth of tourism assets, including: Kon Ka Kinh Peak (1,748 m) – the “roof” of Gia Lai province, Da Trang Peak; 95 Waterfall, Nang Tien Waterfall, Kon Bông Waterfall, H’lân Waterfall; Ancient banyan tree groves, Pterocarpus macrocarpus groves, pine forests; Wildlife Rescue Center; Historical relic sites in Krong commune, paddy field areas and the unique cultural heritage of the Ba Na ethnic community; It is also the only special-use forest in Gia Lai honored with dual recognition: an ASEAN Heritage Park and the core zone of the Kon Hà Nừng Plateau UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Despite its great potential, Kon Ka Kinh National Park has yet to fully capitalize on its advantages. Current tourism activities remain small-scale, fragmented, and lacking distinctive features to attract visitors. To harness the Park’s advantages, in August 2025, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) will work with the Park management board, travel companies, and other partners to develop a master plan for eco-tourism, resort, and recreational development through 2030, with a vision to 2045. This plan aims to identify suitable tourism types, routes, and attractions in line with natural conditions, while proposing solutions to attract potential investors, improve tourism infrastructure, enhance management and monitoring capacity, and optimize tourism revenue. At the same time, the plan emphasizes harmonizing biodiversity conservation with livelihood improvement and cultural preservation in the region. In the coming time, CCD will continue to support Kon Ka Kinh National Park in planning, identifying appropriate tourism products, developing community-based tourism models, and carrying out environmental education and communication activities. The Park’s tourism development strategy will be conservation-oriented, ensuring no encroachment on forest resources, and contributing to Gia Lai province’s vision for sustainable tourism linked to ecology and culture.

In July, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with the Ha Long Bay Management Board, recently held a working session with Mr. Peter Scott Debrine, Senior Project Officer from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Long, to discuss the Sustainable Tourism Development Plan for Ha Long Bay through 2035, with a vision to 2045. Mr. Debrine recognized and highly appreciated CCD’s proposals and theoretical framework in developing sustainability criteria and a dedicated monitoring framework for the implementation of a sustainable tourism plan tailored to the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba World Natural Heritage Site. He remarked that the plan is practical and well-aligned with the core principles of heritage conservation, value enhancement, and community engagement, in accordance with guidelines from both UNESCO and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In addition, Mr. Debrine emphasized the need to pay greater attention to defining effective criteria and solutions for better management of waste from tourist boats, carrying capacity control at tourism routes and sites, development of signature tourism products, and enhanced safety measures for visitors to the bay. CCD has been and continues to support the development of management plans, regulatory frameworks, and strategic development initiatives for World Natural Heritage Sites in Vietnam. These efforts aim to ensure a harmonious balance between nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable tourism development.

In July, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with the Ea Sô Nature Reserve - Dak Lak province, organized a training course on the use of the SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) system—an integrated data management and patrol reporting tool aimed at enhancing forest protection and biodiversity conservation efforts. The training also contributed to the standardization of patrol and reporting procedures at the reserve. During the training, technical staff and forest rangers were guided through the process of developing a data model, setting up patrol routes and data collection forms on handheld devices, collecting field data, data entry, processing, and generating reports using the SMART system. Standardizing data management and patrol reporting through SMART is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of biodiversity monitoring and patrolling at Ea Sô. The system enhances accuracy, transparency, and effectiveness in conservation planning and decision-making. CCD is committed to continuing its technical support to update and refine the SMART system at Ea Sô, as well as expanding its assistance to other national parks, nature reserves, and protected forests across the country.

As part of the collaborative program between Ea So Nature Reserve (Dak Lak Province) and Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) to conserve biodiversity and restore key species and ecosystems, CCD and the reserve’s management board conducted a field biodiversity survey from June through August 2025. The survey aimed to update biodiversity data within the reserve, with a particular focus on globally threatened and endangered species. Ea So and the adjacent Krong Nang Watershed Forest lie within one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. The area harbors a mosaic of rare and unique habitats, including semi-deciduous forests, evergreen forests, and especially extensive natural grasslands - currently recognized as the largest remaining natural grassland ecosystem in Vietnam. These grasslands are vital to the survival of many threatened plant and animal species, particularly large ungulates. The survey confirmed the presence of numerous high conservation value species such as banteng (Bos javanicus) , gaur (Bos gaurus) , black-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nigripes) , silvered langur (Trachypithecus margarita) , green peafowl (Pavo muticus), as well as valuable timber species including Dalbergia cochinchinensis, Dalbergia oliveri, and Pterocarpus macrocarpus. However, the assessment also revealed ongoing threats from illegal hunting, logging, and the unsustainable harvest of non-timber forest products in the surrounding buffer zones. To effectively protect and restore these critical ecosystems and their endangered species, it is essential to expand the legal boundary of Ea So Nature Reserve to include the remaining evergreen forest within the Krong Nang Watershed. This would create a larger, ecologically cohesive landscape that can sustain populations of globally threatened species. Additionally, increased financial investment, additional personnel, and enhanced technical support are urgently needed. In the coming phase, conservation efforts should prioritize habitat protection, restoration, and management - particularly for the natural grasslands, which serve as essential habitats for large ungulates, carnivores, and raptors. Stabilizing and expanding these habitats is critical to the recovery of flagship species in the area. CCD remains committed to supporting Ea So and other protected areas across Vietnam in strengthening conservation management, restoring degraded habitats, and safeguarding endangered species. Special attention will continue to be directed toward critically endangered species such as banteng, gaur, and green peafowl - icons of the semi-deciduous forest and grassland ecosystems of Ea So - as part of a long-term vision for sustainable nature conservation in Vietnam.

As part of a collaborative program between Ea So Nature Reserve (Dak Lak province) and Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) to conserve biodiversity and restore key species and ecosystems, a biodiversity survey and monitoring training course was organized in June 2025 at Ea So. The training, jointly conducted by CCD and the management board of Ea So Nature Reserve, focused on building technical capacity in surveying and monitoring four key groups: mammals, reptiles and amphibians, birds, and plants. The course provided participants with enhanced knowledge and field skills, including the use of research tools such as 4G camera traps, thermal drones, and acoustic monitoring devices. It also covered data analysis, information management, and report writing techniques. Participants - including technical staff, forest rangers, and forest protection units from Ea So - engaged in practical fieldwork, group discussions, and shared experiences in species identification and wildlife behavior observation and field practices. The course also introduced the latest legal regulations in Vietnam related to wildlife protection, especially for priority species, equipping participants with the tools to effectively communicate these regulations to local communities and stakeholders and prevent violations. Through this training, CCD continues to affirm its role as a committed partner to national parks, nature reserves, and local authorities across Vietnam, supporting efforts to improve conservation management, restore degraded ecosystems and endangered species, and raise awareness for sustainable nature protection.

As part of efforts to conserve biodiversity and sustainably restore forest ecosystems in Vietnam, plant nurseries play a vital role in providing high-quality seedlings for reforestation and ecosystem recovery efforts - especially for endangered plant species. However, in practice, native endangered species are often not prioritized for propagation due to limited market demand and their lack of short-term economic value. To address this challenge and proactively secure seedling sources for conservation and ecosystem restoration, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) has established and maintained two nurseries for endangered native tree species in Quang Tri and Dong Nai provinces. These nurseries are currently cultivating and caring for highly threatened timber species, including at least 14,000 Dalbergia cochinchinensis, 8,000 Dalbergia oliveri, and a projected 2,000 Pterocarpus macrocarpus seedlings. The seedlings are nurtured directly by local community members who have participated in the CCD-organized training course on “Techniques for Establishing and Managing Community Nurseries of Native Timber Species.” Enriching forests with native species offers long-term ecological benefits: enhancing forest resilience, conserving the genetic resources of valuable timber species, and helping restore ecosystem structure and habitats for wildlife. This initiative not only helps preserve and promote indigenous knowledge but also provides sustainable livelihoods for local communities - key stakeholders in Vietnam’s forest restoration journey. Moving forward, CCD will continue to provide technical support to ensure seedling propagation and care processes are carried out methodically, with timely detection and treatment of pests and diseases, thereby ensuring high-quality seedlings ready for outplanting in the wild.

Located in Sơn Lang commune, Kbang district, Gia Lai province, Kon Chư Răng Nature Reserve. This unique forest not only holds significant natural and scenic value but also plays a vital role in watershed protection, ensuring water supply and regulation for four downstream hydropower plants along the Kôn River. Beyond its ecological importance, Kon Chư Răng is home to rich cultural tourism resources. The local population is predominantly made up of the Ba Na ethnic group. These communities have preserved their traditional customs, revolutionary heritage, and matrilineal social structure. Annual cultural festivals with vibrant gong performances and communal dancing and singing - creating a unique and compelling cultural identity that captivates visitors. Despite its immense tourism potential, Kon Chư Răng remains underdeveloped as a destination. It suffers from poor connectivity with mainstream tourism circuits, lacks compelling tourism products that meet diverse visitor demands - such as nature exploration, trekking, or kayaking - and has yet to implement effective tourism communication and promotion strategies. To address these shortcomings, a long-term strategic approach is urgently needed. In 2025, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with the Kon Chư Răng Nature Reserve Management Board, has been developing a Master Plan for Ecotourism, Wellness, and Recreation Development through 2030, with a Vision to 2045. This plan not only identifies suitable tourism routes and sites aligned with the area’s natural conditions but also proposes key interventions to improve tourism infrastructure, strengthen management and monitoring capacities, and optimize revenue generation from tourism. Importantly, the plan emphasizes enhancing community livelihoods while safeguarding the Reserve’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.