Tay Ninh National Park is home to array of rare birds

VietNamNet Bridge – A group of Vietnamese friends from the US visited Lo Go-Xa Mat National Park in the southern province of Tay Ninh to experience the virgin forests and eco-landscapes that abound there.

Feather dusting: The site is home to many rare species including eastern cranes. — VNS File Photos

Park deputy director Ly Van Tro guided the group through the area, which was gazetted as a national park by the Government in 2002.

There they witnessed three different forests at the same site – the old forests of the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands), wetland and semi-wetland forests of the eastern region and the mangrove forests of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.

Tro told the group that the potential of these forests included fishing and seafood in the mangroves and river system, tourism, entertainment, and scientific research as well as other natural items such as fragrant mushrooms.

The forests accounted for roughly 25 per cent of the province's total natural forest cover and supported a mosaic of lowland semi-evergreen forests and lowland deciduous forest and melaleucas, Tro said. Smaller areas of lowland evergreen forest existed along watercourses. A variety of wetland habitats, including seasonally inundated grasslands and forests, permanent lakes and watercourses were also present.

Apart from the forests, the site was found to qualify as an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to the presence of a number of globally threatened birds and restricted-range species, including Germain's peacock-pheasant Polyplectron germaini, Tro said.

"Scientists have defined that the park is one of most rich important bird areas in Viet Nam."

Happy tree friends: The park also hosts endangered monkeys.

The visitors under Tro's guidance were interested in witnessing birds bathing in the park's puddles, while boucals and drongos try to land on guests' cars.

"Rabbits and monkeys ran around us as if we were their close friends," group leader Duong Quoc Minh said.

The park also has relics of a base of the southern liberation forces during the American War, which includes a radio station of the fighters, a news agency station and a printing house and many other facilities.

"We plan to build a museum to show visitors the history of the revolution and national liberation," Tro said.

"The park management board holds training courses for village officials, security guards, teachers and students to teach them more about the park's potential and to encourage them to protect the park.

"We plan to build a large stilt house on the Vam Co Dong River which forms a boundary of the park so visitors can stay overnight," he said.

Surveys had revealed Lo Go-Xa Mat qualified as an IBA, Tro said, while subsequent meetings with stakeholders generated considerable local interest in its value for biodiversity, resulting in the request for its formal protection.

The site was declared a protected area by the government of Viet Nam in 1986 to commemorate its historical importance as a revolutionary base during the American War, Tro said. In January 2001, following reports that the site had been designated for village resettlement, the BirdLife International Viet Nam Programme undertook a survey trip.

Wet and wild: A corner of the Lo Go-Xa Mat National Park.

The site was found to support a variety of lowland habitat types almost lost from elsewhere in Viet Nam but these were under severe and immediate threat from conversion to agricultural land. Indeed, drainage canals and roads were already under construction, he said.

In response to these threats, BirdLife and the International Crane Foundation convened a meeting with provincial leaders to explain the importance of the site for conservation, and to raise awareness of the threats posed by the resettlement project. The response from the provincial leaders was positive: they agreed to halt the project temporarily, pending a more detailed biodiversity assessment, Tro said.

Consequently, in October 2001, BirdLife led a joint survey of Lo Go-Xa Mat. The designation of the site as an IBA was announced at a provincial workshop, generating much interest among local leaders, who had been unaware of the biodiversity value of the site. Immediately following the workshop, the provincial leaders made an official request that the site be designated a National Park.

Now it is a place for students to learn about afforestation and Tay Ninh authorities have recently adopted a master plan to develop eco-tourism in the national park until 2020.

Vu Ngoc Long, deputy director of the Institute for Tropical Biology, who is in charge of the implementing the plan, said the province aimed to develop different kinds of eco-tourism such as walking or pedalling around the park to enjoy its flora and fauna and to swim, row dug-out canoes and camp, plus visit war bases, historic relics and craft villages and take part in community culture activities.

"All visitors are welcome at the park, to enjoy its natural beauty, join local people in caring for the trees and to learn about our great natural forest restoration project."

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

Vietnam, India plan direct flights

A direct service between Viet Nam and India is on the cards following a memorandum of understanding signed between Vietnam Airlines and India's largest private carrier, Jet Airways.

Under the MoU for comprehensive co-operation signed in New Delhi on Wednesday during the ongoing visit by President Truong Tan Sang, the carriers will jointly evaluate the possibility of direct services which will significantly contribute to the development of bilateral investment, trade, and tourism relations and a strategic partnership.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Sang hoped it would translate into fruitful co-operation and benefit both carriers.

"The signing of this MOU with Jet Airways, India's largest private airline, is a step in achieving the two countries' strategic partnership commitment," said Pham Ngoc Minh, president and CEO of Vietnam Airlines.

Naresh Goyal, chairman of Jet Airways, said: "This agreement with Vietnam Airlines is an integral part of our strategy for increased international growth and providing seamless service for travellers between India and Viet Nam."

There is no direct flight yet between the two countries and passengers have to transit in one of the Southeast Asian countries.

Vietnam Airlines has a young fleet of 72 aircraft, mainly Boeing 777s, Airbus A330s and A321/320s, and operates more than 300 daily flights to 20 domestic and 26 international destinations.

Jet and its subsidiary JetLite have a fleet of 116 aircraft, including Boeing 737-700s/800s/900s, Boeing 777-300 ERs, Airbus A330-200s and ATR 72-500s, and operate 620 daily flights to 80 domestic and overseas destinations. 

VNS

Ba Na - “the green fairy”

Sitting 1,487km above sea level and within spitting distance of Da Nang City, the Ba Na resort area offers a wonderful respite for any weary traveller.

With its awesome landscape and year-round cool, Ba Na serves up the perfect alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city. However, the resort’s only accessible by a tortuous but spectacular 20km road running from the foot of the mountain across mist-covered hillsides.

The first attraction to thrill tourists is the clear skies and puffy clouds floating over the valleys below and spectacular panoramic views of Da Nang City, Thung Bay (with its semi-circle coastline from the foot of Hai Van Pass Tunnel to Son Tra Peninsula), My Khe Beach, Ngu Hanh (Marcle) Mountains, and Thu Bon River (embracing fertile fields in Quang Nam province).

The blue waves of the Eastern Sea lapping Cham Island are visible and the picturesque landscape is breathtaking.

Tourists can enjoy four seasons in one day: spring in the morning, summer at noon, a little of autumn in the afternoon, and a cold winter bite at night. Ba Na’s weather is unique. In Ba Na, rain often falls only halfway up the hill, leaving the peak and the sky above clear and the views spectacular.

The French turned Ba Na into a resort in 1901. In 1912, a progressive governor general of Indochina designated the area as a forestry reserve. However, in 1930, the French reclassified Ba Na as a holiday resort for French officers and built hotels and villas. After decades of war and neglect, the structures fell into disrepair. Then, in 2000, developers reclaimed Ba Na from the jungle. A tourist town rose from the ruins.

The areas greatest asset is its pristine eco-system and temperate climate. Ba Na is famous for its bio-diversity. Its flora and fauna contain over 544 tree species (including six rare species) and 256 vertebrates, all of which are recorded in Vietnam’s Red Book.

Endangered vertebrates include the crested argus, the Asian black bear, the yellow-cheeked gibbon, and lignum aquilariae, along with several other species yet to be listed that are thought to survive in small numbers, protected only by the pristine wilderness.

Stone steps lead adventuresome tourists to 18th century Linh Ung Pagoda, which houses ancient documents about the temple’s history and boasts a 30m tall statue of Buddha.

French wine cellars built during the colonial period which are still used for aging the locally grown products, are another attraction. Wine-tasting tours are popular with many visitors.

Suoi Mo (Mo Stream) near the magical Thach Tien Waterfall is another favourite spot for tourists during muggy summer days. Mist created by the waterfall looks like “fairy hair”.

The Ba Na area has many facilities, including villas, hotels, restaurants, tennis courts, and many other services. Most impressive is the new cable car that links the Ba Na Peak to Mo Stream. Strung between 22 pillars, its 94 cars can carry 1,500 people on a wonderful journey through the jungle.

People often call the unspoiled environment of Ba Na “Green Fairy”, for it provides a great opportunity for visitors to Da Nang to savor the jungle and enjoy an unforgettable experience among the clouds.

Ba Na in pictures: 

PV/VOV