Groundbreaking of Phase 2 at the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center

On September 10, Forestry and Forest Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), in coordination with the Management Board of the Vietnam Bear Rescue Project at Bach Ma National Park and the Animals Asia Foundation, held the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center at Bach Ma National Park (Phu Loc Commune, Hue City).

Phase 2 has a total investment of over VND 13.4 billion, provided as a non-refundable grant by the Animals Asia Foundation. Key components include a visitor center, exhibition and extracurricular learning spaces to raise community awareness, accommodation for staff, veterinarians, and bear caretakers, as well as technical infrastructure and other auxiliary facilities.

The center at Bach Ma National Park is built on a 12.5-hectare site. Phase 1, which became operational in October 2023, included major facilities such as a modern veterinary hospital fully equipped for diagnostics and surgery, a 30-day international-standard quarantine area, bear houses, and four large semi-natural enclosures.

Since opening, the center has successfully rescued 19 moon bears from various provinces across the country. However, five bears died from illnesses carried from previous captivity. The remaining 14 are under careful care and have recovered significantly compared to their emaciated condition upon arrival. All bears were voluntarily handed over by local residents.

Upon completion of Phase 2, the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center at Bach Ma National Park will become a modern rescue facility and a prominent nature conservation education site for Central Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Vu Linh, Director of Bach Ma National Park, shared that bears currently held in captivity will be relocated here to live better lives. The park will gain an additional visitor destination, a learning model, and a platform to raise awareness among tourists and local communities about their responsibility and involvement in protecting wildlife in general, and bears in particular.

To date, a total of 290 bears have been rescued in Vietnam, including eight more in 2025 voluntarily handed over by private holders. These achievements reflect broad social consensus and demonstrate Vietnam’s strong commitment to wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection.

Bach Ma National Park, located at the southern end of the Northern Truong Son range, is one of six nationally managed parks, covering over 37,000 hectares (mostly in Hue City). The park holds immense value for its landscapes and biodiversity, featuring numerous scenic spots and landmarks, as well as thousands of plant and animal species, many of which are rare or endangered and listed in Vietnam’s Red Book.

$ 1 = VND 26.385 - Source: Vietcombank.