A rare Cretta Caretta turtle was yesterday released into the estuary in southern Bac Lieu Province by the Department of Capture Fisheries and Resources Protection in Bac Lieu and local authority staff.
The rare turtle is listed in Viet Nam's Red Book of endangered species and named in the CITES Multilateral Treaty.
The turtle can weigh up to more 130 kilos when fully grown.
The turtle is native to nearby Bach Long Vi and Cat Ba islands off the coast of Hai Phong.
Municipal police officers and officials from Bac Lieu's Agricultural and Rural Development Department discovered the turtle was being kept by Huynh Trung Truc, 54.
Truc said he bought the turtle last week for VND1 million (US$48) from a local fisherman.
The turtle suffered damage to its pelvic area when caught.