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In December 2025, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in partnership with the Nam Nung Nature Reserve - Lam Dong province, conducted a capacity-building training program for reserve staff and forest rangers. The program focused on enhancing skills in species identification, field surveys, and biodiversity monitoring, contributing directly to biodiversity assessments and supporting the formulation of conservation initiatives and annual scientific research plans at the reserve. To translate knowledge into practice, the training placed strong emphasis on hands-on application of modern survey tools, including cameras, camera traps, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Through practical sessions, participants learned how these technologies can be effectively integrated into wildlife monitoring and forest assessments, enabling early detection of changes and timely responses to emerging conservation challenges. from left to right: Picture 1: Guidance on camera trap setup Picture 2: Guidance on identifying threatened and valuable plant species Picture 3: Guidance on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) ©CCD/2025 Complementing the technical components, CCD worked closely with the Nam Nung Nature Reserve to compile and introduce a Field Identification Guide featuring selected endangered, rare, and threatened plant and animal species found within the protected area. The guide incorporates updated scientific information alongside relevant legal frameworks, providing participants with a practical reference to support day-to-day conservation work and law enforcement activities. The training curriculum was developed based on a targeted assessment of on-the-ground needs of reserve personnel. By combining theoretical instruction, field-based practice, and scenario-based discussions, the course strengthened participants’ capacities in species identification, classification, surveying, and monitoring. It also facilitated initial planning efforts for the conservation of several priority species in the area, including the gaur and the red-cheeked gibbon. from left to right: Picture 4: Field guide for the identification of selected endangered, rare, and threatened flora and fauna species in Nam Nung Picture 5: Practice on camera trap setup ©CCD/2025 Building upon previous training on remote sensing technologies, CCD anticipates that staff at the Nam Nung Nature Reserve will continue to refine forest resource management processes and enhance their overall conservation capacity. These combined efforts are expected to deliver long-term benefits for biodiversity conservation, reinforcing the protection of forest ecosystems and safeguarding endangered and rare wildlife species in the Nam Nung Nature Reserve.

The red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) and the grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea) are among Southeast Asia’s most threatened primate species, found primarily in forest ecosystems along the Annamite Range and extending into Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Chu Mom Ray National Park (Quang Ngai Province) is one of the rare protected areas where both species have been recorded. Despite this significance, conservation efforts focusing specifically on these douc langurs have, for many years, remained limited. from left to right Picture 1: Installation of communication signboards at the Rong house in Sa Thay commune. Picture 2: Installation of communication signboards at the Rong house in Ro Koi commune. Picture 3: Installation of communication signboards at the Rong house in Mo Rai commune. ©CCD/2026 As populations of both red-shanked and grey-shanked douc langurs continue to decline, with hunting, snaring, and wildlife exploitation posing persistent threats, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in partnership with Chu Mom Ray National Park, has stepped up conservation action since late 2025. Key activities include the installation of educational information boards and the distribution of T-shirts bearing douc conservation messages in residential communities located within the Park’s core zone. By integrating conservation messages into everyday communal spaces, the initiative seeks to raise awareness of the ecological importance of these species, strengthen understanding of relevant wildlife protection laws, and encourage local communities to take pride in the rich biodiversity of Chu Mom Ray National Park. These efforts strongly reflect the core values supported by the The Rufford Foundation, the project’s donor and long-standing partner. from left to right Picture 4: Gifting T-shirts with douc langurs conservation message to the villagers. Picture 5: For ethnic groups in the Central Highlands, the rong house lies at the heart of community gatherings, cultural traditions, and spiritual life. ©CCD/2026 Alongside awareness-raising activities, CCD has conducted—and continues to undertake—systematic field surveys and monitoring to improve knowledge of population status, ecological traits, and habitat changes affecting the two douc species. The data collected will be shared with Chu Mom Ray National Park to inform adaptive management and support the development of effective, long-term conservation strategies. Further conservation activities for douc langurs at Chu Mom Ray National Park will be implemented in the coming period—stay tuned for updates from CCD.

In December 2025, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with the Management Board of Nam Nung Nature Reserve, organized a training course titled “Application of Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing Software in Forest Resource Management.” The activity aimed to enhance technological application capacity for staff engaged in forest protection and management at Nam Nung Nature Reserve. from left to right: Picture 1: Guiding on how to collect field data Picture 2: Guiding on how to process the collected data ©CCD/2025 During the training, staff from the Management Board and forest protection stations were instructed on using GPS and mobile devices for field data collection; applying Geographic Information System (GIS) softwares e.g MapInfo and QGIS to manage and update forest resource databases; practicing with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to analyze forest conditions, monitor resource changes, and support forest fire control efforts. Based on the practical training needs of Nam Nung Nature Reserve, the course was designed with a strong application-oriented approach. It focused on hands-on operation, on-site implementation, and addressing common challenges encountered in remote sensing, spatial data management, and forest patrol reporting. from left to right Picture 3: Guiding on how to use QGIS Picture 4: Trainees exchange ideas and engage in discussions ©CCD/2025 Through this activity, CCD continues to affirm its role as a close partner to national parks and nature reserves in strengthening capacity for biodiversity monitoring and forest resource management. The integration of advanced technologies not only improves the accuracy and effectiveness of management practices, but also contributes to data systematization and enhances the ability to respond promptly to environmental and resource-related changes in the area.

Over the years, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) has implemented numerous projects to conserve rare and precious wildlife species in Hanoi. Among these, communication activities aimed at raising public awareness about reducing wildlife product consumption and protecting biodiversity have been a regular focus. In December, CCD collaborated with the Hanoi Forest Protection Department and the People's Committee of Phuc Thọ Commune to organize a communication event for bear protection and conservation in Phuc Tho – recognized as the country's largest hotspot for bear bile farming. from left to right Picture 1: A representative from the Hanoi Forest Protection Department speaking at the communication event. Picture 2: Traditional Medicine Doctor Tran Thi Toi introducing herbal plant species as alternatives to bear bile to the local people. ©CCD/2025 Bears are wild, endangered, and rare animals prioritized for legal protection. However, the extraction, transportation, and trade of bear bile and related products remain complex and difficult to control, persisting for many years and leading to a serious decline in Vietnam's wild bear populations. Currently, 71 Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are still kept in captivity across 16 private facilities in Phuc Tho commune. Although this number has decreased significantly compared to the past, the situation continues to pose challenges for the goal of completely ending bear bile farming. Picture 3-4: Local residents of Phuc Tho Commune (Hanoi) participating in the workshop ©CCD/2025 The communication activity was organized to disseminate legal regulations on wildlife management and emphasize the legal consequences of bear bile trafficking. Additionally, the program introduced herbal alternatives that are safe and effective substitutes for bear bile, calling on the community to reject wildlife products. The event also encouraged and motivated farm owners to voluntarily transfer their remaining bears to rescue centers. CCD hopes that through awareness-raising activities and decisive action from authorities and stakeholders, no more bears will have to endure the lingering pain of bile extraction, allowing them to live safely and freely in their natural state.

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.