Recently, Jack Tordoff, Managing Director of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), visited the Huong Son Special-use Forest in Hanoi, where Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with its partners, is implementing a Community-based Monitoring Project for the Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) and the limestone forest ecosystem. The project is financially supported by CEPF. During the morning field visit, despite dense fog, the delegation was fortunate to observe at least three individual Delacour’s langurs. Along the patrol routes, the donor was introduced to the limestone forest ecosystem of Huong Son and highlighted endangered wildlife species recorded during regular forest patrols. CCD’s work in Huong Son since 2021 has been highly appreciated by the donor for contributing to increased resilience of the Delacour’s langur population as well as other wildlife species. Mr. Jack Tordoff also acknowledged the dedicated efforts of CCD, the community monitoring team, local authorities, and Huong Son commune police in mitigating threats to the forest ecosystem - particularly through the confiscation and removal of extensive bird-trapping net systems surrounding the Huong Son Special-use Forest. Aside from these achievements, CCD is facing long-standing challenges in the area, including: a large forest area (approximately 2,500 hectares) that is not yet covered by community monitoring, where another langur group is known to inhabit; increased hunting and wildlife trapping pressure during the annual Huong Pagoda festival season; and severe declines in certain wildlife populations to levels that hinder natural recovery, posing significant impacts on the forest ecosystem as a whole, including the Delacour’s langur. Within the framework of the project, CCD and its partners will organize environmental education and awareness-raising activities on biodiversity conservation and relevant legal regulations in schools and local communities surrounding the Huong Son Special-use Forest. These activities aim to enhance public understanding of nature’s values and the benefits provided by healthy ecosystems, thereby contributing to collective efforts to combat forest degradation and loss, climate change, natural disasters, and disease risks in Huong Son and across Vietnam.

In early December 2025, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) accompanied lecturers and students from the College of Alice & Peter Tan - CAPT (National University of Singapore) to study the sustainability of community-based tourism models in Pung Luong commune (Lao Cai province) and Ngoc Chien commune (Son La province). During the 5-day journey, the CAPT lecturers and student interacted with homestay representatives, tourism cooperatives, traditional craftsmen, and community leaders such as village heads and elders, thereby exploring the community from various perspectives within the lives of the H'Mong people in Lao Cai and the Thai people in Son La. The meetings helped the students understand the community through the way they collaborate to preserve traditional crafts, such as making costumes and "banh day" (sticky rice cakes); and explore how the H'Mong and Thai people organize their lives through beliefs, architecture, rituals, customs, agricultural farming, and community-based tourism right in their own homes. Through this approach, the issues of nature-culture conservation and economic development - improving quality of life - were clearly demonstrated. The households participating in community tourism provided the young people from CAPT with a warm welcome and enthusiastic exchanges, helping them understand more about community cohesion as well as sustainability within a community working together in tourism. The trip also evoked many reflections and emotions for CAPT members regarding the harmony between conservation and development, in the context of the rapidly changing socio-economic landscape in Vietnam specifically and Southeast Asia in general. We hope CCD has provided ample material for the themes CAPT is interested in. Wishing you many more new discoveries on your chosen path! CCD has been conducting numerous research and cultural experience trips in mountainous provinces with the goal of promoting the beauty of Vietnam to international friends, while directly supporting households and cooperatives implementing community-based tourism models in these localities. We believe that tapping into and interpreting indigenous cultural and natural elements with understanding and respect is the appropriate and sustainable direction for ethnic minority communities in local tourism development. For more details or to discuss the design of nature-cultural experiences in Vietnam, please contact: info@ccd.org.vn

On December 9, 2025, the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve (BR) collaborated with the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) to organize a 10-year review workshop. The purpose was to prepare the Second 10-Year Periodic Review Report (2017–2027) and the Action Plan for 2027–2037 for submission to UNESCO. The workshop brought together nearly 150 delegates, including leaders from Nghe An province, the Vietnam Man and the Biosphere (MAB) National Committee, relevant departments and agencies, local authorities from buffer zone communes, and the Management Boards of core area national parks and protected areas. Recognized by UNESCO on September 18, 2007, the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve (BR) is the 6th BR of Vietnam. In 2025, CCD and the Management Board conducted a participatory assessment across the core area, buffer zone, and transition area. Key consultations were held with the core area protected area management boards, local communities, and numerous biodiversity and cultural experts. The aggregated and analyzed data indicates that the Biosphere Reserve effectively implemented its three functions (conservation - development - logistic support) during the 2017–2027 period. Furthermore, the assessment highlighted the strengths of inter-sectoral coordination, community participation, and areas needing improvement for the next phase. Over the past years, CCD has effectively collaborated with local authorities to prepare 10-year periodic reports for several other Biosphere Reserves in Vietnam, including Cu Lao Cham, Dong Nai, Can Gio, Cat Ba, and Red River Delta. These reviews help elevate the BR status, reaffirming the effective coordination between nature conservation and sustainable development, while also providing a basis for refining cooperation mechanisms, resource mobilization, and adaptive management during the 2027–2037 period.

Thai Thuy Wetland Nature Reserve, covering 6,560 hectares, was established in 2019 to conserve the biodiversity values of the coastal wetlands of the Red River Delta. With a mosaic of mangrove forests, tidal flats, and near-shore estuarine waters, the reserve is home to more than 1,000 animal species. Notably, it also provides crucial wintering habitat for several globally threatened migratory bird species. Beyond its biodiversity significance, Thai Thuy holds strong potential for ecotourism development thanks to the distinctive coastal culture of local communities and the unique mangrove landscapes of the Red River Delta. To conserve and promote the values of the Thai Thuy wetlands, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is supporting the Reserve in developing an ecotourism plan that will create high-quality educational tourism products, help stabilize local livelihoods, and contribute to long-term conservation and sustainable development goals. Guided by a vision of a world where conservation and development coexist in harmony, one of CCD’s key priorities is to support and promote sustainable, responsible ecotourism planning across national parks and protected areas in Viet Nam—helping generate stable revenue to fund management, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity conservation efforts.

In early November 2025, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), the Huong Son Delacour’s langur Monitoring Team coordinated with Hanoi Forest Protection Sub-department and Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Center to destroy multiple mist nets in Huong Son Commune and My Duc Commune (formerly My Duc District), Hanoi city. The Huong Son – My Duc area hosts a diverse range of habitats, including limestone forests, wetlands, and agricultural landscapes. It serves as an important breeding, feeding, and resting ground for many wild bird species, especially during the migration season (September – April). These areas, however, have also been hotspots for illegal bird-netting activities each year. Since 2021, CCD has been conducting long-term migratory bird monitoring and working closely with forest rangers and local authorities to prevent hunting, trapping, and habitat destruction. Tens of thousands of meters of mist nets have been removed, numerous decoy birds and electronic bird callers confiscated, and dozens of awareness-raising activities have reached thousands of local residents. In the coming period, CCD will continue collaborating with partners to monitor wildlife, report violations, and mobilize communities to protect wild birds and safeguard Hanoi’s natural heritage.

Cát Tiên National Park (Đồng Nai Province) is one of the most biologically valuable areas in Southeastern Vietnam. Cát Tiên harbors many amphibian species - a group highly sensitive to environmental change and a strong ecological indicator of ecosystem health. In 2024, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), together with partners from Cát Tiên National Park, Vietnam National University of Forestry, and Center for Amphibian and Reptile Research and Conservation in Vietnam, conducted field surveys along 35 transects in Cát Tiên and synthesized previous literature. The team recorded 50 amphibian species in 2 orders, 7 families, and 23 genera, accounting for approximately 15.2% of Vietnam’s amphibian fauna. Among these, three species were recorded for the first time in Cát Tiên: the Langbiang treefrog (Kurixalus gryllus) , Helen’s treefrog (Rhacophorus helenae) , and Robert Inger’s treefrog (Rhacophorus robertingeri). The findings also indicate range expansions for several species previously thought to occur only in Central Vietnamese montane regions. This provides a foundation for inter-regional survey programs and connectivity-focused conservation of ecological corridors. In addition, the team recommends environmental education and mainstreaming amphibian conservation into buffer-zone planning and local livelihoods to ensure sustainable protection of threatened amphibian species. Detailed results of the survey have been published in the latest issue of the Journal of Forestry Science.

In late October, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) and the Community-Based Monitoring Team for Delacour’s Langur in Kim Bang Forest (Community Team) supported the Ninh Binh Sub-Department of Forestry - Forest Protection, and the Forest Protection Unit of Region IV (formerly Kim Bang FPU) to remove bird traps and confiscate trapped wild birds in Tien Son Commune, Ninh Binh Province (formerly Duy Tien District, Ha Nam Province). This activity was carried out during the migratory bird season (from September to April each year). Established in 2019, Community Team has been actively maintained to this day. It represents the collaboration between CCD, the Forest Protection Department, and local communities with the shared goal of protecting the population of Delacour’s Langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) and the limestone forest ecosystem of Kim Bang. The team also operates under the supervision and coordination of Ninh Binh Forest Protection authorities, contributing to on-site protection tasks. The recent bird-trap removal was part of this joint effort. Since 2024, within the framework of the Delacour’s Langur Conservation Project funded by Conservation Vietnam, CCD and Community Team have continued to work closely with the Forest Protection Unit of Region IV to implement key activities: Conduct monthly patrols to monitor langur groups, remove traps, and promptly record any signs of disturbance. Share information with Forest Protection officers to coordinate actions, prevent, and reduce threats to langurs and biodiversity in Kim Bang. Carry out awareness-raising activities in Kim Bang’s forest-edge communities to enhance local responsibility and engagement in conserving Delacour’s Langur and the limestone ecosystem. In the coming time, CCD and Community Team will continue to cooperate with the Ninh Binh Sub-Department of Forestry - Forest Protection to sustain patrolling and strengthen conservation awareness programs in schools, buffer zone communities, and the wider public — contributing to the protection of this rare endemic primate’s habitat and preserving a vital link in the limestone ecosystem of northern Vietnam.

During the early 2025 migration monitoring, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) recorded no bird trapping activities along the Red River floodplains — a positive sign that regular patrols and community outreach are effectively deterring illegal hunting. The monitoring is part of CCD’s annual Red River Floodplain Bird Monitoring and Protection Program. Since 2021, particularly during the migration season (from around September to April), CCD, in collaboration with the Hanoi Forest Protection Department and local commune authorities, has been conducting species surveys, preventing poaching, and reducing habitat destruction. Thousands of meters of mist nets have been removed or destroyed, along with decoy birds and calling devices. The program has also organized dozens of awareness activities for local officers and thousands of residents along the riverbanks. CCD will continue regular monitoring, strengthen patrols during the migration season, and call on communities and local authorities to work together in protecting the natural floodplains along the Red River. Protecting birds and riverside habitats means safeguarding wetlands — preserving natural values in the heart of Hanoi, the City of Peace and Nature. The Red River floodplains are seasonal wetlands composed of sandbars, grasslands, and shrub belts — vital habitats for both migratory and resident bird species to feed, rest, and shelter. This area serves as an important stopover site on the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF) and has recorded several globally threatened species listed by the IUCN, such as: Scaly-sided Merganser (Mergus squamatus) – Endangered (EN); Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha) – Vulnerable (VU); Brown-breasted Flycatcher (Cyornis brunneatus) – Vulnerable (VU); Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola) – Critically Endangered (CR); Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus mellianus) – Endangered (EN); etc., …along with many other migratory and resident birds.

In 2025–2026, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) and the Dong Nai Culture–Nature Reserve will survey and update the flora checklist, focusing on the distribution of rare and valuable timber species. Using seasonal surveys, transects/standard plots, and a voucher set of specimens - photos - GPS, the team will determine species composition and the level of plant community diversity. Results will delineate critical habitats and identify priority species for mother-tree protection, seed collection, native nursery production, and restoration of depleted taxa; in parallel with the checklist update, the team will collect additional representative vouchers for scientific reference, exhibits, and education–awareness at the reserve. In addition, CCD is implementing key conservation programs in Dong Nai: monitoring threatened fauna in Cat Tien National Park; restoring valuable timber species such as Dalbergia oliveri and Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis) within the Reserve; and strengthening the two management boards’ capacity on patrolling, forest protection, and ecotourism. The Dong Nai Culture–Nature Reserve (>100,000 ha), adjacent to Cat Tien National Park, is among the remaining primary forest ecosystems of Southeastern Vietnam and a vital headwater forest of the Dong Nai River system. Safeguarding Dong Nai’s forests is preserving the core values of the Southeast region—a priceless natural heritage for today and for generations to come.

As part of the biodiversity survey activities at Ea So Nature Reserve, and part of the CCD's UNGULATE CONSERVATION PROGRAM, our community-based FOREST PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY MONITORING team and experts from the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) and staff of Ea So Nature Reserve. In September, the Monitoring Team conducted its first field trip to collect data on the current status of Gaur ( Bos gaurus ), Banteng ( Bos javanicus ), and Silver-backed Chevrotain ( Tragulus versicolor ), while also monitoring negative human impacts within Ea So Nature Reserve. The survey used camera traps, GPS, and the SMART data management and patrol reporting toolkit (SMART) in combination with standard data recording methods. The Monitoring Team consulted information from local residents and forest rangers working in the area and recorded reports of the presence of wild Cattle (Bos spp.) in several sub -compartments. Based on this preliminary information, the Team designed survey transects focusing on grassland habitats - the characteristic and most suitable habitat for the ecological behavior of bovids, which use grasslands for foraging, resting, and movement -thereby increasing the likelihood of detecting signs or encountering individuals. For the Silver-backed Chevrotain, camera traps will be retrieved after two months to obtain accurate results, as data from camera traps require a sufficiently long accumulation period. In parallel with the wild cattle surveys, the Monitoring Team also documented human impacts within the protected area. Illegal activities such as timber extraction, hunting, or setting traps for wildlife were observed, recorded, and georeferenced to support assessments of threat levels to animal populations. This is an opportunity for staff of Ea So Nature Reserve to practice species identification and classification, as well as to select survey transects, deploy camera traps, and manage and archive data. In the long term, these skills will help improve the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation, and protect the forest ecosystem and its rare and precious flora and fauna.

Since 2019, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) has collaborated with local Forest Protection authorities to implement a program to monitor and protect the Delacour’s langur ( Trachypithecus delacouri) population and the surrounding limestone forest ecosystem in Kim Bảng, Ninh Bình province. This is a long-term, community-based conservation initiative, centered on establishing community forest protection teams to conduct regular and continuous monitoring of langurs and their limestone habitat. Kim Bảng lies within the extensive limestone karst ecosystem stretching from Thanh Hóa and Phú Thọ (formerly Hòa Bình) through Ninh Bình to Hà Nội. This area plays a critically important role in the conservation of the Delacour’s langur. In fact, Kim Bảng hosts Vietnam’s second most significant langur population, with over 100 individuals recorded to date. Within the framework of the Delacour’s Langur Conservation Project, funded by Conservation Vietnam, CCD has worked closely with the Forest Protection Department of Area IV (formerly FPD Kim Bảng) to carry out key activities: Establishing community-based forest protection teams Conducting monthly patrols to monitor langur groups and their behavior Removing snares and traps and documenting signs of illegal activities in a timely manner Information collected during patrols is shared with forest rangers to coordinate law enforcement and reduce threats to langurs and local biodiversity. Alongside patrols, the project team conducts awareness-raising campaigns in schools and local communities to improve understanding and encourage local participation in protecting langurs and limestone habitats. In the coming period, CCD will continue to collaborate with the Forest Protection Sub-Department and community groups to: Maintain field-based protection and monitoring efforts Strengthen outreach and communication, and minimize negative impacts on limestone habitats Support local authorities in reviewing and finalizing documentation to propose the establishment of a Species and Habitat Conservation Area for the Delacour’s langur in Kim Bảng.

Vietnam’s wildlife has undergone a long period of over exploitation. As a result, populations of many species have been seriously declined and some of them such as Javan rhinoceros  ( Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus)  and Kouprey  (Bos sauveli)  were extinct. Sharing similar situation, many of the country’s flora are under high pressure of exploitation to fill the needs of the market that lead many plant species to brink of extinction. In Vietnam, rosewood  (Dalbergia  spp. ),  ladys’s slipper orchids ( Paphiopedilum  spp.) and marbled jewel orchids ( Anoectochilus  spp.) are among the most threatened wildlife due to illegal logging and trade. The Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) has been running a long-term program to support the protection and recovery of endangered wild fauna and flora  with a focus on  strengthening in-situ conservation and improving the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts to effectively prevent illegal hunting, logging and trafficking of Vietnam’s endangered species of wild flora and fauna that being trafficking from and through the country. In September 2019, CCD in cooperation with Vietnam CITES management agency conducted an assessment of management, protection and conservation efforts for the highly threatened   Dalbergia cochinchinesis  and  Dalbergia oliveri  in Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces. The findings indicated that the populations of these two species have been rapidly declined in all original known distribution areas due to over-exploitation for high-end furniture and handicraft products. In Kon Tum province, a biggest natural population of  Dalbergia cochinchinesis  is only found in Dak Uy forest where it has already been gazette as Special Use Forest (also called as protected area) in an area of 546.24 ha. The protected area possesses about 800 matured  Dalbergia cochinchinesis  trees (>20cm in diameter) and many younger trees.  Dalbergia cochinchinesis  was found to be scattered distributed in other areas of Kon Tum province. In Gia Lai province, the population of  Dalbergia cochinchinesis  has dramatically reduced and only remained few mature individual trees in a scattered forests and some found in local forest land own by households in Krong Pa district. Some mature  Dalbergia cochinchinesis  trees (> 20cm in diameter) are reported to be in Kon Ka Kinh national park and Kon Chu Rang nature reserve. In Dak Lak province, the trees with diameter greater than 20cm are found in Yok Don national park, Ea So nature reserve and Krong Nang watershed protection forests with low density. Other areas have few scattered mature trees and regenerated trees but quite fragmented. In terms of conservation efforts, there is only Kon Tum province that has a conservation program of  Dalbergia cochinchinesis.  The province established Dak Uy protected area to protect this species. In 2018, the province planted 4,500 seedlings within the protected area and 6,600 seedlings in other places. Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces have not got any conservation or restoration program for  Dalbergia cochinchinesis . It is the same as the  Dalbergia cochinchinesis , the  Dalbergia oliveri  has been logging for making furniture products and fine arts.  Dalbergia oliveri  became the main subject of exploitation when the source of  Dalbergia cochinchinesis  timber is exhausted. In three surveyed provinces, the population of  Dalbergia oliveri  has been degraded and is only found in protected areas with low density. In Kon Tum province,  Dalbergia oliveri  are reported in Chu Mom Ray national park, Dak Uy protected area and watershed protection forest of Dak To, Dak Ha and Ngoc Hoi districts. In Gia Lai province,  Dalbergia oliveri  distributes in Kon Chư Răng, Kon Ka King, and watershed protection forest of Krong Pa and Chu Pah districts. In Dak Lak,  Dalbergia oliveri  is remained in Yok Don national park, Ea So nature reserve and Chu Yang Sin national park as well as other watershed protection forests. Forest plantation programs of all three provinces have not got this species. There are few propagation activities of these two species. However, only one propagation facility was found in the three province that was at  the Center for Tropical Forestry in Gia Lai province. The survey also found that some families in Krong Pa district are protecting regenerating trees  Dalbergia cochinchinesis  in their cashew plantation, however, this is in small scale. All three provincial FPDs elaborated that there is absolutely no exploitation of rosewood from natural forests. However, some illegal activities such as collection of remaining roots and stumps of previously logged rosewood trees, are still occurred with small amount. Obviously, threats to rosewood are remaining. Without stronger forest protection and effective forest recovery efforts, these two species of rosewood may vanish from their traditional distribution areas soon. Photo 1: Dalbergia cochinchinesis  naturally distributes in Dak Uy forest in Kon Tum province. Photo: La Quang Trung/CCD Photo 2: Dalbergia cochinchinesis  is naturally regenerated in Krong Pa district, Gia Lai province. Photo: La Quang Trung/CCD Photo 3: Dalbergia cochinchinesis  is geminated from seeds in the nursery of the Center for tropical forestry in Gia Lai province. Photo: La Quang Trung/CCD Photo 4. A Dalbergia oliveri  seedling in Yok Don national park, Dak Lak province. Photo: La Quang Trung/CCD Photo 5: Dalbergia cochinchinesis  are being generated and protected in a cashew garden of a household in Krong Pa district, Gia Lai province. Photo: Nguyen Manh Ha/CCD Photo 6. Dalbergia cochinchinesis  blosssoms in Yok Don national park, Dak Lak province. Photo: Nguyen Manh Ha/CCD Photo 7. The specialist group was talking to Dak Uy forest MB on protection and recovery of Dalbergia cochinchinesis . Photo: Nguyen Manh Ha/CCD. Photo 8: A stump of Dalbergia oliveri  in a timber pile confiscated from illegal trade in Krong Pa district, Gia Lai province. Photo: Nguyen Manh Ha/CCD.