Xuan Thuy National Park is located in Giao Thuy District, Nam Dinh Province, about 150km south-east of Hanoi
The core zone of the park has a total area of 7,100ha and the buffer zone has a total area of 8,000ha. The park has a rich, biodiverse coastal wetland environment that is home to about 110 aquatic plant species, 500 species of benthos and zooplankton. Many aquatic species of high economic value, like shrimps, fish, crabs and oysters, are also found in the area. The park is known for its many bird varieties. There are 215 species including 160 types of migrating birds and 50 types of water birds, according to the latest survey carried out by International Bird Life. Nine of these species, including the black-faced spoonbill and the northern white egret, are listed in the world’s Red Book of rare animals. The black-faced spoonbill found in the reserve account for one fifth of the bird’s world community. Benthos is also plentiful in the park. Fish, shrimps and crabs provide the main income of the local community. From November to April, it is a meeting place for tens of thousands of birds migrating from the North.Bac Ninh: Dong Ho folk paintings thrive through dedication and creativity
Dong Ho village in Bac Ninh province is famous for its traditional folk paintings. Once at risk of fading away, the craft has been preserved and revived thanks to dedicated artisans and local authorities. Artisan Nguyen Dang Che and his Dong Ho paintings. (Photo: vusta.vn) Dong Ho village, once home