There have been tremendous efforts put by South Asian countries to preserve one of the amicable species of nature - Elephants. One of those efforts is the creation of Yok Don National Park, which is the first ethical elephant sanctuary in Vietnam. Wild Elephants inhabited in Central Vietnam and South Vietnam while domesticated ones played crucial roles in the lumber industry. Earlier, elephants blazoned the Royal Courts of Vietnam and later served as warriors and porters in the War of Vietnam’s Independence and Vietnam War. The various wars, poaching, deforestation, habitat loss and forest fires majorly affected the population of elephants in Vietnam, making the species endangered. Where once there were around a thousand Wild Elephants now around one hundred are left.
Yok Don National Park
Location: 40 kilometres from Buon Ma Thuot, Buon Don District, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam
Present in Dak Lak Province in Central Highlands of Vietnam, Yok Don National Park is Vietnam’s second-largest national park and the first ethical elephant sanctuary in the country. Out of all the exotic species of mammals, elephants are what this national park is known for. Best time to visit Yok Don National Park is from October to December when the temperatures are pleasant or around the Elephant Race Festival in the third lunar month.
Serepok river flowing through the park adds glitters to the picturesque environment. You will meet the friendly M’nong ethnic group who live around the park along with the Ede ethnic group. Ede and M’nong are the area’s ethnic minorities till date; their lives revolve around Elephants. From transporting heavy loads to tourism activities like elephant riding and bathing, wild elephants have been trained by these ethnic groups. Learn about the long history and livelihood of the ethnic minorities in the area.
The ethical elephant tour is priced at VND 800,000 per person for a half-day tour and at VND 1,400,000 per person for a full-day tour.It’s suggested to trek through the park; however, elephant rides are an option too. Travellers can’t directly interact or get close to the elephants in the park; nonetheless, they get the opportunity to observe elephants in their habitat. You can easily hire an English speaking guide here who will help you trek through the forest, do not forget to book in advance.
Quang Nam Elephant Sanctuary
The Quang Nam Elephant Sanctuary spans across 19,000 hectares of forest. It is located in the Nong Son district in Vietnam’s central highlands and is home to 8 Asian elephants. The number of elephants in the district is dwindling, and this sanctuary is an attempt to protect these large mammals from the threat of poachers and smugglers.
The elephants here are closely observed by wardens who track the elephants from their dung, footprints and impressions. Their favourite spot in the sanctuary is the Vung Thung as this area is rich with rattan and Asian bamboos which the pachyderms enjoy.
This sanctuary has recently collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development to conserve the rich biological diversity of the region. The sanctuary is protected with a fence made of thorny lebbeck trees along the 2.4 Km forest area to prevent human interaction and damage to crops.
Local villagers too have joined hands in the efforts for elephant conservation. They spread awareness among the people and see to it that no outsiders enter the sanctuary without their knowledge. There are plans of bringing elephants from the nearby Bac Tra My district under the aegis of the Quang Nam sanctuary so they can be protected as well.
The Elephant Race Festival
What could be more exciting on tour than enjoying cultural festivals of that place? There’s a spark of authenticity and vibrancy in the cultural events of Vietnam. The Elephant Race Festival is the charm of Dak Lak Province. This festival is celebrated in the third lunar month in Don Village. Like every Vietnamese festival, the Elephant Race Festival holds a spectacular aura. The competitors aren’t ethnic groups; instead, elephants are the spotlight of the festival. The primary race begins with the echo of gongs, later tug-of-war, swimming across the Serepok River and football takes place.