Did you know that Saola – the mascot of this year’s SEA Games, is an animal that was first discovered in Vietnam’s Vu Quang National Park (Ha Tinh). Scientists have dubbed this animal known as “Asian unicorn”.
 |
| The Asian “Unicorn” – Saola Saola was first discovered in Vu Quang National Park, Vietnam in 1992. Photo: VTC |
Vu Quang National Park is located in the northwest of Ha Tinh, is a special-use forest located close to the Vietnam-Laos border, with 76% of the primeval forest area possessing a rich and unique flora and fauna system. So unique that some species appear only in Vietnam.
 |
| 2Photo: VTC |
It is home to a total of about 1,829 species of higher plants, 94 species of mammals, 58 species of reptiles, 315 species of birds, 31 species of amphibians, 316 species of butterflies, 88 species of bony fish, 73 species of ants and 28 species of spiders. They create an impressive ecosystem like no other.
 |
| The forest is located in the Truong Son mountain range bordering Laos. Photo: VTC |
All these wonderful creatures reside in the lake, the “common house” in the heart of the Vu Quang National Park.
 |
| 7Photo: VTC |
 |
| The Vu Quang National Park is home to many rare species. Photo: VTC |
The natural forests in the garden occupies the largest area with extremely diverse vegetation, from woody plants, colorful flowers to precious medicines, hundreds of years old trees with unique shapes.
 |
| Photo: VTC |
Meanwhile, the fauna are the saola species with many unique and rare species such as large gills, striped rabbits, striped civets, black gibbons, white-tailed pheasant.
 |
| Old tree stumps inside the reserve. Photo: VTC |
The rich flora and fauna here further adorn the pristine and rare beauty of this forest. Thus, in 2019, this place was officially recognized as “ASEAN Heritage National Park”.
 |
| 8Photo: VTC |
Come and admire the magnificent and pristine landscape of the forest with spectacular waterfalls, cool streams, and Ngan Troi Lake with charming scenery at sunset. On the mysterious forest trail are unique flora and fauna that you may not have seen anywhere.
 |
| The reserve still retains its pristine appearance with diverse ecosystems recognized as “ASEAN Heritage Park”.Photo: VTC |
 |
| Photo: VTC12 |
The Nature Reserve and Vu Quang National Park is also a historical relic marking the heroic historical events of Phan Dinh Phung’s Can Vuong uprising against the French at the end of the 19th century.
 |
| The scenery along the river in the early morning or late afternoon are charming and poetic. Photo: VTC13 |
Phan Dinh Phung monument, Phan Dinh Phung memorial stele and the martyrs are places worth visiting on your journey to discover the beauty of Ha Tinh.
 |
| 14Photo: VTC |
Thanks to its high-bio-diversity, Vu Quang National Park has become an attractive tourist site for both domestic and foreign visitors. If you are a person who is passionate about discovery, loves nature and is curious about the imprint of history, Vu Quang National Park is the place for you.
 |
| This national park is listed as one of the five Vietnam’s national parks you should visit once in your life. Photo: VTC |
Three other parks that were also recognized as ASEAN Heritage Parks are Bidoup – Nui Ba National Park in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong; Lo Go – Xa Mat National Park in the southern province of TayNinh; and Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum.
So far, Vietnam has had ten ASEAN Heritage Parks. The other sites are Ba Be, Kon Ka Kinh, Chu Mom Ray, Hoang Lien, U Minh Thuong, and Bai Tu Long national parks.
Painter Ngo Xuan Khoi: I feel proud that my design has been chosen as the mascot of 2021 SEA Games
NDO – Painter Ngo Xuan Khoi recently won first prize in a contest with his design featuring saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), a rare animal listed in Vietnam’s Red Book of Endangered Species. The design has been chosen as the official mascot of the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 11th ASEAN Para Games, to be hosted in Vietnam next year.
Hanoi streets adorned with banners and billboards to welcome SEA Games 31
NDO – Many panels, banners and billboards have been set up along major streets in the capital city of Hanoi to welcome the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).
Uncovering the Enchanting Wonders of Vu Quang National Park
Situated in the north-west of Ha Tinh province, Vu Quang National Park unveils itself as a hidden gem, boasting unparalleled breathtaking landscapes, lush evergreen forests, and an abundance of rare and exotic wildlife.
