Tram Chim National Park is located in Tam Nong district, Dong Thap province, with an area of ​​7,313 hectares, and is the remaining wetland ecosystem of the ancient Dong Thap Muoi.

The park has 130 species of flora, 130 species of freshwater aquatic animals, and is home to 231 species of birds endemic to the region.

In particular, the red-crowned crane, a rare bird species that is in danger of extinction and is of global concern for protection.

In 2012, Tram Chim National Park was recognized as the 4th Ramsar site in Vietnam and the 2,000th in the world.

Due to the impact of climate change, changes in hydrological regime and impacts, many causes have caused the Tram Chim ecosystem to change, many species of animals and plants have degraded, including the community of metal ants (the favorite food of red-crowned cranes) has gradually narrowed, the composition of aquatic species has also decreased in quantity, affecting the food source and living environment of red-crowned cranes.

In addition, the current excessive agricultural cultivation has also partly narrowed the habitat of red-crowned cranes, leading to a gradual decrease in the crane population at Tram Chim.

Mr. Pham Thien Nghia, Chairman of Dong Thap province, said that research, cooperation in transferring, raising and preserving red-crowned cranes is an urgent requirement.

To realize the dream of "Bringing the cranes back", Dong Thap province has developed and approved the "Project for Conservation and Development of Red-crowned Cranes in Tram Chim National Park for the period 2022 - 2032".

Recently, the province has received support and cooperation from dedicated organizations and individuals at home and abroad to help the province develop a project based on sharing experiences and success stories from the crane conservation program in the Kingdom of Thailand.

It is expected that within 10 years of implementing the project, Dong Thap province will have about 100 cranes raised and released, and 50 individuals will be able to live in the natural environment.

"The red-crowned crane project will help people and friends from near and far, when coming to Dong Thap, to observe and learn about the living environment and growth characteristics of red-crowned cranes, so that people will love this bird even more," the Chairman of Dong Thap province affirmed.

Up to now, the project has implemented a number of specific tasks, including: Signing a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the parties and signing a memorandum of agreement on activities with Thai partners.

Implement a number of ecosystem restoration programs in Tram Chim National Park and an ecological rice farming model towards organic agriculture around the buffer zone.

Build facilities for crane farming and carry out communication activities; provide technical training for care staff.

Initial results, in 2024, the ecosystem gradually recovered according to the true nature and characteristics of a natural wetland ecosystem, many bird species came to roost in large numbers, important plant species such as nang kim and ma rice also began to recover, creating a habitat and rich food source for red-crowned cranes.

After the project announcement, the province will closely cooperate with Thai partners to soon complete the necessary documents and procedures and receive the first cranes according to the signed agreement.