Cat Tien forest's ecosystem ahead of transfer to Dong Nai

Cat Tien National Park, a "natural treasure" renowned for its rich biodiversity, ancient trees, and rare wildlife.

The government recently announced plans to transfer management of Cat Tien National Park from the Vietnam Administration of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee. This move affects one of Vietnam's UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserves, spanning nearly 82,000 hectares across Lam Dong and Dong Nai provinces.

{"caption_all":null,"caption_items":["A view of Cat Tien forest within Dong Nai province. The park was established in 1978, based on the pristine forest at the headwaters of the Dong Nai river. The Dong Nai section covers nearly 44,000 hectares, while the remaining nearly 27,300 hectares comprise the Cat Loc area in southern Lam Dong province. *Photo: Tang A Pau*","This is home to hundreds of rare and ancient plant species, including a tung tree over 400 years old, a multi-stemmed banyan, and a five-pronged Lagerstroemia. The park has recorded over 1,600 plant species belonging to 710 families."]}

Cat Tien National Park boasts approximately 1,729 animal species from 238 families. Among these are several rare species, including Asian elephants, gaurs, black-shanked douc langurs, Javan pangolins, and crocodiles. A 2008 survey recorded about 300 gaurs in Cat Tien National Park and the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve. In 2005, the Bau Sau wetland area of the park was listed as a wetland of international importance by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, making it the 1,499th such wetland globally and Vietnam's second. The path from Cat Tien National Park's administrative center to Bau Sau is about 14 km long. This area is home to the rare freshwater crocodile (also known as the Siamese crocodile, scientific name: crocodylus siamensis).

{"caption_all":null,"caption_items":["A herd of deer grazing in the grassland.","A sounder of wild boars at the forest edge.","A black-shanked douc langur."]}

{"caption_all":"This area is also considered a "kingdom" for over 351 bird species, accounting for more than 40% of Vietnam's total bird population. In 2024, the forest was awarded Green List status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Pictured are a black-and-red broadbill and a peacock. *Photo: Tang A Pau*","caption_items":["",""]}

Before 1975, during the war, the area now known as Cat Tien National Park was part of the extensive War Zone D. Despite enduring heavy bombing, the forest remained largely intact, preserving its pristine nature. From 1975, the Ministry of National Defense took over the forest, entrusting its management to Division 600. A year later, the government designated the forest for conservation, with forest rangers actively patrolling to protect the area.

{"caption_all":null,"caption_items":["The forest currently offers various experiential tours for students and tourists.","Visitors cycle through the forest to enjoy the fresh air. During weekends and summer holidays, the number of visitors to the forest increases sharply, sometimes leading to fully booked accommodations."]}

The nature museum houses approximately 2,500 animal specimens, including many rare endemic or extinct species from the forest. Opened to visitors in 2015, it is a prominent destination on tourist itineraries. *Photo: Quynh Tran*

Cat Tien forest during leaf-changing season. Cat Tien National Park, about 150 km from Ho Chi Minh City, is renowned for its abundant resources and rich biodiversity. It serves as an ideal ecotourism destination in Vietnam for observing and photographing wild flora and fauna. In 2012, Cat Tien was designated a special national monument.