A look inside Dong Son Nature Reserve
About 40km from Ha Long city to the west, Dong Son nature reserve in Ky Thuong commune is known as the lung of Ha Long city with diverse flora and fauna and green coverage of immense forests.
The nature reserve spans 15,600 hectares in Hoanh Bo district. Of its 1,100 floral species (both woody and herbaceous) and 224 fauna species (birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians), 51 are listed in Vietnam’s red book of endangered species and one in the world red book. Two rare animals endemic to this habitat are the crocodile lizard and the Vietnamese snakehead fish.
This area also boasts colorful local ethnic culture. The local Dao ethnic minority have lived there for generations and Dong Son's forests have provided them a livelihood.
Apart from traditional forestry activities, the local Dao people have embraced community-based tourism to show off their rich culture and ecological gems.
