The Bien Hoa environmental and landscape protection forest, spanning 210 hectares, is located across three wards: Trang Dai, Long Binh, and Ho Nai. Amidst rapid urbanization and the proliferation of industrial parks, this forest is considered a "green lung" in the heart of Dong Nai province.

Over 30 years ago, the Bien Hoa protection forest was planned and planted by the Dong Nai City People's Committee. It features many valuable, large timber trees such as sao, lim, dau, and bang lang, designed to create a scenic landscape for Bien Hoa City. Today, from above, the forest appears lush green amidst the urban landscape.

Nguyen Cong Duc, head of the Forestry Department at the Dong Nai City Agricultural Services Center, stated that the forest was planted over 30 years ago. Its primary purpose was to serve as a protection and landscape forest, featuring numerous valuable, large timber trees like sao, dau, and lim. Many of these trees have trunks so wide that two people cannot embrace them.

"Even in the scorching heat, walking through the Bien Hoa forest is very cool and pleasant", Duc said.

An ancient tree in the Bien Hoa protection forest has a trunk so wide that one person cannot embrace it. "My house is near the forest, so every weekend I invite friends to come and enjoy the cool air", said Duc, 17 years old, residing in Ho Nai ward.

The shade of ancient trees provides respite in Bien Hoa forest amidst the hot weather.

After decades of natural development, many areas of the forest have rapidly grown, forming multiple layers with a diverse ecosystem. It is home to birds and small animals such as squirrels, weasels, snakes, and jungle fowl.

Inside the forest, there is also a memorial stele for the martyrs of Doan Dac Cong 113 on top of hill 61. This unit, recognized as a Hero of the People's Armed Forces, achieved many victories, including battles at Long Binh General Depot, Bien Hoa Airbase, and protecting Ghenh Bridge during the resistance war against the US for national salvation.

From above, multiple layers of tree canopy intertwine, completely covering the ground below. The management unit is preparing documents to designate the protection forest as a special-use forest.

Most of the protection forest area is strictly fenced and protected to prevent outsiders from entering.

Signs and barriers are displayed by forest rangers at forest entry points. These measures ensure effective forest fire prevention, logging prevention, and protection against hunting of animals within.

On one side lies the lush green forest, while on the other is a densely built residential area in Trang Dai ward.

According to the management unit, over 300 households currently reside within the forest. "The province has plans to relocate these households from the forest edge to develop an ecological tourism project", a representative of the management unit stated.

Phuoc Tuan