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Jul 15, 2016 / 09:29

Ba Mun island - natural jewel of Bai Tu Long Bay

The Ba Mun island is located in the core of Bai Tu Long Bay and is the only schist island having primeval forests. The Ba Mun island, the biggest wild life conservation site in Vietnam’s northeastern region, covers an area of about 1,800 ha.

In 2016, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has launched a program to promote Vietnam as a paradise of sea and island for tourists.
Apart from traditional tourist destinations, travel agents have taken visitors to primitive places.
Bai Tu Long Bay that is located next to Ha Long Bay, is a huge sea biosphere reserve accounting hundreds of islands and islets. The Ba Mun island of Bai Tu Long Bay is the biggest wild life conservation site in Vietnam’s northeastern region.

 
At the Ba Mun island in Quang Ninh province.
At the Ba Mun island in Quang Ninh province.
From Cai Rong port in Van Don district, Quang Ninh province, a high-speed boat will take tourists to Ba Mun island of the Bai Tu Long Bay in about 45 minutes. 
The Ba Mun island is called a wildlife animal paradise. It is covered by primeval forests which, together with high, sheer, dangerous rocks are the natural habitat of various kinds of animals.
On the east side of the island, which is known locally as the “exterior”, strong waves continuously hit the cliffs to create bubbles and foam up to tens of meters high. 
The western side, or the “interior” features tranquil scenery and calm water that ripples around the boat.
The Ba Mun island has no indigenous residents, only rangers and wildlife rescuers of Bai Tu Long National Park. 
The Park shelters about 2,000 species of fauna and flora, including 72 animals and 32 plants listed in Vietnam’s Red Book of endangered species. Many of them are living on Ba Mun island. 
Ba Mun is home to several rare species of animals, including golden deers, antelopes, monkeys, langurs, as well as sea and migratory birds. The rangers can still see many wild boars, deers, and muntjacs in search of food.
Some rare animals on Ba Mun island
Some rare animals on Ba Mun island
 
The most prominent plants are teakwood, sindora, and ironwood species. The Lan hai orchid (Cypripedioideae), which was mistakenly thought to be extinct a few years ago, still exists here. 
This orchid species now is found only in Lao Cai province and Ba Mun island. 
The Ba Mun island and the Bai Tu Long National Park have been open to not only scientists and researchers, but also to tourists in the recent years. 
Visiting the Bai Tu Long National Park, tourists can explore the island on their own, following natural trails in the forest or ranger patrol routes. It takes at least 3 days to complete a full tour of the Ba Mun island.