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On November 17, at the Guom Lake Octagonal House (behind Ly Thai To monument, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi city) opened the photo exhibition: Hanoi – a peaceful home to wild birds. The event was organized by the For a Livable Hanoi Network in collaboration with the Centre for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) and the Vietnam Bird Conservation Society (VBCS) to introduce wild species, migratory birds and resident birds as well as the need to preserve their natural habitats for humans people of Hanoi. The exhibition is carried out during the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 organized by the Hanoi People's Committee and the Vietnam Association of Architects. The exhibition is supported financially and technically by the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam. Picture 1: Ribbon-cutting ceremony (©Nguyen Hoang Hao/2023)Picture 2: Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha - Director of CCD and Dr. Le Manh Hung - President of VBCS are discussing with Ms. Mette Ekeroth - Deputy Head of Mission - Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam (©CCD/2023) The exhibition will take place from November 17 – 26, 2023, in the green space of Ly Thai To park and gratis to admire more than 30 bird photos taken in Hanoi city by photographers. The exhibition represent the the glimpse of nature gifted to Hanoi city, with the expectation that the beauty of wild birds will promote the participation of individuals, groups, units and the public in the joint effort to protect and live in harmony with nature in the capital of Vietnam. Picture 3, 4, 5: The exhibition attracts international and local people(Picture 3: ©Nguyen Hoang Hao/2023; Picture 4, 5: ©CCD/2023)

Nam Nung Nature Reserve is within Dak Nong province. The Reserve consists of the upstream of two large rivers: Dong Nai, Krong No and evergreen broadleaved forest ecosystem. Nam Nung is a home to many wildlife, with some endemic species of Vietnam and Indochina, entailing the requirements for its staff to enhance their capacity and have standardized procedures of surveying, reporting. As a result, a training on implementation of Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tools (SMART tools) for more than 30 staff of the Reserve was held by Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) and Nam Nung Nature Reserve. Picture 1: Nam Nung Nature Reserve (©CCD/2023) The training consists of two phases: (i) sharing features of the tools and designing a data model which suits the management demands of Nam Nung Nature Reserve and its stations, (ii) establishing templates for importing and managing data after patrolls; developing a report template for Nam Nung Nature Reserve. During the training program, the Reserve staff completed data modeling, designing routes and information sheets on handheld devices and smartphones. In addition, trainees practiced on-site with forms of patrol and routes and inputting, processing data and retrieving reports. Through training and technical assistance, CCD is assisting the Reserve in establishing a standardized database that integrates patrol, protection and biodiversity information to move towards standardization and synchronization of the area's protection and conservation activities in a common management and reporting platform. The SMART data system will help the Reserve effectively manage forest protection activities, biodiversity data, and impacts to have the most effective management and conservation measures. From left to right Picture 2: Practice on building data model and patrolling sheet (©CCD/2023) Picture 3: Using SMART mobile on smartphones (©CCD/2023) With its mission, CCD will continue to coordinate with Nam Nung Nature Reserve to update and calibrate its data model, patrol routes and sheets to best suit its objectives and reporting missions. CCD has been working to support protected areas, national parks and forest owners to standardize the management system through applying advanced management tools and models. The synchronous application of management tools such as SMART will help improve accuracy, transparency and management efficiency in species and biodiversity conservation in protected areas and the forestry sector in general.

Pu Huong Nature Reserve is among the richest biodiversity value forests in Nghe An province. With more than 46,400 ha, situated on several provinces, the Nature Reserve requires collective efforts to protect its biodiversity, especially of local people. However, forest dependence persists in the buffer zone communities which entails the need of the Reserve’s staff in raising environmental and biodiversity protection awareness for the locals. Although environmental education and outreach (EEO) activities were carried out by Pu Huong Nature Reserve in buffer zone communities in recent years, the targeted subjects are not interested. In addition, the Reserve’s staff is not focused on advancing their EEO skills in planning, organizing and implementing EEO programs. To mitigate the shortcomings in EEO for Pu Huong Nature Reserve, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with Pu Huong Nature Reserve Management Board to organize EEO training for Pu Huong’s staff. The training focused to enhance all the skills which trainees lack, complemented by practical application in 9 communes in the buffer zone of Pu Huong. With the support of CCD in long-term EEO activities in buffer zone communities, the local people's awareness and responsibility are expected to be raised, thus joining hands with Pu Huong Nature Reserve in protecting and restoring its biodiversity. With its mission, CCD aims to support management boards in protection forest, nature reserves, national parks and local partners in advancing capacity for their staff, management effectiveness and delivering potent EEO programs. With this succession, EEO activities sufficiently become an elevated tool in raising public awareness and responsibility in protecting and restoring nature in Vietnam.

On October 26, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with SMEC VIETNAM JSC and Me Linh Station for Biodiversity to plant 300 large timber trees, in contribution to the forest restoration, especially to elevate the biodiversity and protection values of upstream watershed forest in the Station. The collective of indigenous, large timber species play an important role in the habitat of the local wildlife, as well as increasing the forest coverage, regulating climate, adapting to hazardous weather and climate change. From left to right:Picture 1: Join hands in planting, protecting forest and biodiversity!Picture 2: A forest starts with one tree!@CCD/2023 In the joint effort of reforestation, habitat restoration across the country, CCD has been cooperating with individuals, groups, and units in the public and private sector to plant trees for the last 5 years and onward. This activity is part of the Awareness and Public responsibility Enhancement program in biodiversity, preventing forest degradation and loss in Vietnam. Picture 3: Participation in planting and restoring forest for A GREEN VIETNAM!@CCD/2023

The Trang An Landscape Complex (Trang An) is recognized as World Heritage Site by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – a first mixed cultural and natural property. Since the title attained, tourist traffic has accelerated anually in Trang An and Ninh Binh as a whole. From left to rightPicture 1: Thien Ha Grotto Ecotourism Area – Trang An Landscape ComplexPicture 2: Thung Nham Bird Park – Thung Nhan Ecotourism Zone ©CCD/2023 Within the framework of Resolution 42 COM 7B.62 of the World Heritage Committee dated 24/06/2018, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with Ninh Binh Department of Tourism and Trang An Landscape Complex Management Board to assess carrying capacity at Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone and Thien Ha Grotto Ecotourism Area. The assessment is designed for Trang An to harness and manage the number of visitors more appropriately, ensuring the capacity limit, thereby reducing impacts, and preserving the value of destinations. Picture 3: A meeting between CCD and the Thung Nhan Ecotourism Zone©CCD/2023 To continue the work from 2022, in 2023, the carrying capacity assessment at Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone and Thien Ha Grotto Ecotourism Area is part of the plan to cover every critical destinations in Trang An. The assessment is considered a regular activity in the sustainable management and exploitation, closely associated with environmental protection and conservation the values of Trang An. From left to rightPicture 4: Environmental monitoring and assessment of the carrying capacity in Thung Nham Ecotourism ZonePicture 5: Environmental monitoring and assessment of the carrying capacity in Thien Ha Grotto Ecotourism Area©CCD/2023 With the vision towards sustainable exploitation and management in tourism destinations, CCD cooperates with partners to enhance management processes, thus ensuring the coherence of tourism products and the values of destinations, promoting the education while embracing tourist’s experience.

Agricultural – rural tourism are flourishing in Vietnam. These type of tourism are effective in providing jobs and increasing income for local communities, especially in attractive destinations. Picture 1: Beautiful landscape of Yen Thinh commune, Huu Lung district, Lang Son province, Photo: Tourism Promotion Center As a part of the Rural Tourism Development Program in Yen Thinh commune, from October 3 to 5, 2023, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) coordinated with the Tourism Promotion Center of Lang Son province and Yen Thinh commune to organize training on elevate agricultural – rural tourism in this idyllic commune. The training shared exemplars, experiences in developing agricultural – rural tourism, enhancing human resources, and enriching knowledge in management and operation of agricultural – rural tourism models for commune-level officials. Picture 2: Discussion on agricultural - rural tourism potential in Yen Thinh commune@CCD/2023 Within the framework of the cooperation, CCD developed a set of documents on agricultural – rural tourism development and organized training courses for local people and commune officials, contributing to the economic – culture development, facilitating poverty reduction and elimination sustainable development in Yen Thinh commune. Picture 3: The training gathered enthusiastic participants @CCD/2023 With its vision, CCD continues to collaborate with Tourism Promotion Center of Lang Son Province and potential partners in Vietnam in planning and developing agricultural – rural tourism as part of new countryside construction, social welfare, increasing incomes and improving the environmental quality and living space in rural areas.

On October 5, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) with representatives from the Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation (VFBC) and Biodiversity Conservation Activity (USAID BCA) organized a meeting with Vu Quang National Park to finalize the workplan and implementation process of the project “Conservation of the White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) in Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh Province”. The project is within the framework of USAID BCA of VFBC Project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) From left to rightPicture 1: CCD, Vu Quang National Park and Species Conservation Fund (SCF) representatives in the meetingPicture 2: Working with Saola Ranger Station © CCD/2023 Picture 3: Northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) © CCD/2023 Northern white-cheeked gibbon is listed as Endangered (EN) in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007); belongs to group IB of Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP; and Critically Endangered (CR) in IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2022). Previous studies have preliminarily identified Vu Quang National Park as one of the important distribution areas of this species in Vietnam, but no thorough study exists to date. Therefore, CCD will support Vu Quang National Park to develop a research program and a complete database of the Northern white-cheeked gibbon, along with long-term communication programs to mitigate impacts on the gibbon populations and other endangered species in Vu Quang. The project will be implemented for 12 months during 2023 – 2024, including surveys in Vu Quang National Park and communication activities in local villages and schools in the buffer zone. Picture 4, 5: Magnificent landscape in Vu Quang National Park © CCD/2023 With the vision to conserve value of nature and biodiversity, CCD is implementing cooperative conservation programs for critical ecosystems and species in Vietnam including elephants, big cats, small carnivores, ungulates and endangered primates, wild birds and threatened plant species. For the effective conservation, CCD is promoting community tourism, ecotourism activities in special-use forests as an effective method to generate revenue for conservation and sustain livelihood for communities, thus reducing the dependence on forest and natural resources.

On October 02, in Thanh Hoa province, Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation in Vietnam (VFBC) coordinated with Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), Xuan Lien Nature Reserve Management Board - Thanh Hoa province and other stakeholders to organize consultation meeting on transferring category from Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to a new National Park. Among protected areas in the North Central Coast, Xuan Lien Nature Reserve is important with its diverse fauna, flora, some are endemic species, listed as global threatened. The Nature Reserve is saturated with scientific value, magnificent landscape, and the potential of tourism development. It is necessary to transfer Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to a new National Park to utilize investment in diversity conservation, habitat restoration, thus enhancing ecosystem services which Xuan Lien provides. (from left to right) Some endangered, precious and rare species of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve:1. Northern white-cheeked gibbon ( Nomascus leucogenys) 2. Indochinese box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons) 3. Camellia annamensis ( © CCD) In the meeting, representatives from people’s committees, people councils, functional sectors, departments, scientific units, and the Department of Forestry agreed with the transfering category and recommending People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa province to review and submit to the government for comments, thus promote and strengthen advantages and values which Xuan Lien possessed. The workshop is a part of submission procedure to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development for the permission to transfer category for Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to National Park( © CCD) In the forthcoming cooperation, CCD continues to support Xuan Lien in the transferring process, with a vision to attract investors, advancing capacity for staffs, implementing innovative technology for effective forest management, protection, and developing sustainable and responsible tourism. With the successful transfer, Xuan Lien National Park will have more opportunities to strengthen its role as watershed protection forest upstream of Chu river and related dams, safeguarding productive bases along the stream.

On September 15, 2023, representatives of Hue city hosted a provincial consultation meeting on the tourism development plan in Bach Ma National Park, Phong Dien Nature Reserve, Sao La Nature Reserve for the 2023 – 2030 period. Contributing to the finalization of the plan, the event gathered Department of Forestry representatives, Agriculture and Rural Development departments, Tourism departments, and many representatives from companies, provinces, tourism associations, travel agencies in Vietnam. Picture 1: Experts and delegates gathering in the meeting (photo: CCD) Tourism in special-use forests in Vietnam has developing potentials but some are obstructed with issues in planning, management, and harnessing. By not utilizing tourism for environmental education, raising awareness of the public for the ultimate benefit of nature, protected areas are missing a sustainable income. Addressing the underuse of tourism, tourism development plans, with an intelligible vision and comprehensive strategy, will support protected areas in propagandizing its unique features, accelerating tourist traffic, and generating income for better management, forest protection, biodiversity conservation,… In the meeting, experts and delegates shared initiatives and comments to strengthen ecotourism in 3 sites with strategic and effective methods, tackled issues in planning, land use, building infrastructure for tourism development as well as mobilizing resources, considering the challenges and competitive status of Thua Thien Hue in the sector. Picture 2: Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha - Director of CCD shares the vision in sustainable, responsible tourism development in 3 special-use forests: Sao La, Bach Ma, Phong Dien (photo: CCD) The key solution for tourism development in protected areas of Thua Thien Hue is encouraging investments from the private sector to develop infrastructure and connect tourism destinations, thus attracting tourists. In addition, tourism activities must be strictly managed to not create a negative impact to the natural cycles of wildlife in those sites. Substantially, tourism development needs a vision of professionalism, equity, sustainability, and responsibility. Picture 3: Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc - Director of Tourism Department of Thua Thien Hue shares directions in tourism development in special-use forests in the province (photo: CCD) With the efforts and determination of the government, management boards, investors and communities, ecotourism activities will soon be developed effectively, contributing to raising public awareness of the importance of forest ecosystems, biodiversity values, and sustainable revenue generation for forest owners and communities through quality and responsible tourism products.

In September, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Center and Xuan Lien Nature Reserve – Thanh Hoa province to release 31 wild animals back to their home. These are listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book (2007), IUCN Red list and protected by Vietnamese regulations. In this occasion, the indochinese box turtles (Cuora galbinifrons) had the most individuals and is the most time-consuming species to be released. Not only ensuring they are released in readily appropriate habitat and biological characteristics, but CCD’s staffs prepared for the monitoring process in the long-term. Nhan Dan Newspaper posted a detail journey of indochinese box turtle’s homecoming. This article represents the cooperative vision of CCD in conservation, restoration, and wildlife crime confrontation projects with potential partners. Link to the article: https://nhandan.vn/anh-hanh-trinh-ve-nha-cua-rua-hop-tran-vang-mien-bac-post772804.html

In September 2023, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) organized a consultation meeting, in coordination with Management Board of Song Thanh National Park, Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area, and Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation (VFBC) Project Management Board at Quang Nam province on building a tourism development plan for Song Thanh National Park and Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area for the 2023–2030 period. More than 30 delegates participated in the meeting, including representatives of departments, branches, and districts of Quang Nam Province and tourism experts. Picture 1: Delegates attending the meeting©️CCD/2023 During the meeting, CCD shared the potential, vision as well as challenges for tourism development at Song Thanh National Park and Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area. In regard to both special-use forests being established a few years ago, there is a lack of resources and experience in developing and attracting investment for tourism. Picture 2: Associate Professor Pham Hong Long, Head of CCD's tourism expert group, shared the projects.©️CCD/2023 In contribution to the tourism development plan, the meeting gathered comments, solutions on potential tourist spots, specific types of tourism products, and the resource mobilization mechanism in Song Thanh National Park, Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area. Overall, 02 special-use forests need long-term investment sources, with responsible development strategy. In addition, tourism in both special-use forests needs a coherence among important tourist destinations in Quang Nam, such as Hoi An, My Son, and other provinces, to increase the number of tourists. The plan also aims to utilize unique features in local custom, thus making benefits to the communities and reducing forest dependence. From left to right:Picture 3: Mr. Do Van Ngoc, Project Coordinator, shared the project implementation process and WWF's support.Picture 4: Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Quang Nam Province contributed to the finalization of the projects©️CCD/2023 In the course of its works, CCD aims to support national parks, nature reserves, and forest management board in Vietnam to develop tourism development strategies. CCD believes tourism is an effective tool to raise public awareness and responsibility toward environment protection. Tourism supports conservation, creating revenue for management and conservation activities, andgenerating prosperous opportunities for local communities.

In Vietnam, ivory poaching, war, habitat loss, human-elphant conflict are the main causes for the decrease of wild elephants to only 5 recorded populations left at present. In addition, captive elephants are limited in number and distribution. With challenges restrain the thriving future of elephants in Vietnam, the conversation between Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha – Director of Center for Nature Conservation and Development and Nhan Dan Newspaper addressed factors associated with the status and possible solutions for human and elephant to co-exist and harmonize. Detailed article is below. (banner image: ©Nguyen Van Cuong) https://nhandan.vn/viet-nam-can-dua-ra-ke-hoach-bao-ton-voi-bai-ban-va-quyet-liet-hon-post767908.html