Established in 2004, the reserve spans over 100,000 hectares, including 68,000 hectares of forest and over 32,000 hectares of water at Tri An Lake. Since the province of Dong Nai closed the forest gates in 1997, the area has flourished, allowing wildlife and forests to thrive.
Photo courtesy of Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve
The reserve features over 1,400 plant species and 2,200 animal species, many of which are classified as endangered. The photo shows a gaur and an egret in Ma Da Forest.
Photo courtesy of Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve
Among the most notable species are the black-shanked douc langur, listed as endangered in both the Vietnam Red Book and the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of fewer than 5,000 in the country.
Photo by Lam Jiang
The pigtail macaque is a rare species classified under group IIB, which includes animals restricted from exploitation and use for commercial purposes. Their population has declined due to shrinking natural forest areas. Additionally, they are often hunted for their meat, medicine, and trade.
Photo courtesy of Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve
The Silver-breasted broadbill (Serilophus lunatus), a species commonly found in Tam Dao, Ba Vi, Cuc Phuong, and Bach Ma National Parks.
Photo by Lam Jiang
Visitors may also spot the black giant squirrel (Ratufa bicolor). Its diet primarily consists of nuts, fruits, and leaves. During the breeding season, this species nests in the hollow of a tree, providing a safe environment for raising its young.
Photo by Lam Jiang
Deer roam and graze in the grasslands of the forest.
According to Nguyen Hoang Hao, Director of the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, the area holds biodiversity value and plays a crucial role in supporting the sustainable economic development of the southeast region.
Photo courtesy of Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve
Butterflies appear in large numbers in Ma Da Forest during the rainy season, near streams and waterholes.
To visit the forest from Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can travel to the center of Ma Da Commune and follow the path leading to the War Zone D historical site. Along the way, red dirt trails are common spots where butterflies gather.
Photo courtesy of Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve
The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is an endangered wild animal, classified as threatened. It is strictly protected, with hunting, trading, and consumption prohibited.
Photo courtesy of Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve
The Siamese fireback is a species found primarily in the Indochina region. It is listed in the IUCN Red List, Vietnam Red Book, and Asian Bird Red Book. With its population currently limited, the species is protected in nature reserves and national parks.
Photo by Lam Jiang
An elephant is seen walking along a road in Vinh Cuu District, within the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve. This elephant is part of one of the last remaining herds of wild elephants in the southeastern forests of Vietnam. To protect the herd and prevent human-elephant conflict, Dong Nai has implemented a project to install over 50 kilometers of electric fencing.
Photo courtesy of Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve
