Nguyen Minh Phu (L), co-founder of Viet Snake Rescuer (VSR), organizes night snake-watching tours to raise funds for snake rescue and release programs. These events have taken place in national parks and conservation areas across Vietnam, including Kien Giang, Lam Dong, and Dong Nai provinces, attracting international visitors.
Recently, VSR extended its program to Hanoi, under the Long Bien Bridge, where Chinese cobras are known to reside. Participants are briefed on safety precautions and required to bring equipment such as flashlights, snake hooks, and wear long pants.
On the evening of Nov. 23, Phu, along with John and Jonas (pictured), two international participants, prepared their gear before embarking on the 8 p.m. excursion.
Finding snakes during the dry season is more challenging compared to the rainy months. A VSR member scouts potential snake sightings beforehand to increase the chances of success.
Founded in 2022, VSR is a non-profit organization with eight members focused on rescuing and relocating snakes to natural habitats, in collaboration with conservation zones and national parks. The group’s activities, though common abroad, are new in Vietnam.
John, an American living in Ho Chi Minh City, had participated in a green pit viper expedition on Hon Son Island, Kien Giang Province.
Intrigued, he joined the Hanoi program to observe cobras. While he had seen cobras in Hua Hin, Thailand, witnessing them in an urban environment like Hanoi was a unique draw.
The group's first sighting after a 3-kilometer walk was not a cobra but a non-venomous Indo-Chinese rat snake, known for its aggression. These snakes are commonly found in burrows, fences, and bushes.
Phu holds the rat snake as Jonas, a German participant, to take photos.
Many people harbor fear and misconceptions about snakes, often resorting to killing them, Phu said.
"It's also hard to say because not everyone can tell the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes."
After 10 minutes, Jonas released the snake back to its original spot.
He noted that while he had seen snakes in forests and conservation areas, spotting them in a city like Hanoi was unexpected. In Germany, Jonas rarely encounters snakes, especially venomous ones, so the experience of searching for cobras was exciting for him.
"I didn’t think I could have such an interesting experience here," Jonas said.
Twenty minutes later, the group encountered a medium-sized cobra near a banana grove. The sight of the snake initially intimidated the participants, who kept their distance. Phu advised against approaching venomous snakes without expert guidance.
While John took photos from afar, Jonas held the cobra under supervision.
Nearby locals expressed surprise at this wildlife exploration model and shared accounts of seeing large snakes in the area.
Using a specialized hook, Phu lifts the cobra for closer observation and to give John and Jonas a better angle for their photos.
After about three hours at the foot of Long Bien Bridge, the group spotted another cobra.
The duration of the trip depends on how early or late the snakes are found. With three cobras seen in three hours, Phu considered the trip a success.
A Norwegian guest who arrived late but still managed to take photos of the cobra.
The following morning, Phu and the group headed to Sa Pa to continue their exploration in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
VSR views these programs as opportunities to raise public awareness about snakes and their conservation. Phu expressed concerns over habitat loss and unchecked hunting, which could lead to the extinction of rare species like the Hon Son pit viper in Vietnam.
While international tourists enjoy these experiences, Phu acknowledges the challenge of changing local perceptions, as many Vietnamese harbor a deep fear of snakes.
These night adventures, costing approximately $180 per trip, primarily attract foreign participants.
