Western Nghe An in the central region, which borders Laos, beat out 50 other contenders to becomes one of 25 to be added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s 507 existing reserves.

The 1.3 million hectare region has a remarkably high biodiversity ranging from lowland evergreen monsoon forests to elfin cloud forest at altitudes of 2,300m, and wildlife species found nowhere else.

Among them is the Sao La (Pseudoryxnghetinhensis) or Vu Quang ox, which was first discovered late in the last century and is among the world’s most endangered species.

There are also numerous indigenous peoples like there like the Thai, Dan Lai, Kho Mu, O Du, and H’Mong.
 
Vietnam has five other UNESCO recognized biospheres – the Can Gio mangrove forest near Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Tien National Park, Cat Ba archipelago, Red River Delta, and Kien Giang.

Source: Sai Gon Giai Phong – Translated by Ngoc Anh