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(No.3, Vol.9, Jun-Jul 2019
Vietnam Heritage Magazine)
Text and photos: Tran Zuy Ngoan
Pu
Mat National Park belongs to Nghe An Province. At 93,113 ha, it is the only remaining
primeval forest in Northern Vietnam. One of the protected zones with the
highest level of biodiversity in Asia, Pu Mat is currently affirmed to have 132
animal species, including 42 large animals, the most remarkable being
elephants, tigers, Vu Quang bovines, northern white cheeked gibbons, red-shanked
doucs, northern pig tailed macaques, Truong Son muntjacs, and Annamite striped
rabbits It has also 295 bird species, 39 bat species, 12 lizard species, 25
snake species, 23 frog species, 82 fish species, 21 turtle species and about
400 butterfly species. There are 2500 vascular plant species (among which 68 near-extinct
species are listed in Vietnam’s Red List and 41 species listed in the global Red
List) including precious ones such as Fujian cypress, China-fir, Chicken feather
fir (Dacrycarpus
imbricatus), cycads,
orchids, Hopea hainanensis, and Crown
Conifer (Cephalotaxus mannii).
The most special tree in Pu Mat forest is a China-fir
tree growing at the mid-section of the 1600m-high Pu Xanh Luom Peak. The straight
bole, over-1000-year -old tree is nearly 80m tall, has a sparse canopy and a
thick trunk, 5.5m in diameter and 23m in perimeter.
Conquering the way to the China-fir tree is quite a
thrilling experience in life. It is a four-day hike (or 7 days 6 nights both
ways) through rapid streams and perilous mountain passes, being exposed to leeches
etc. that is very exciting at the same time.
Along the hike, you are rewarded
with the sight of the treasures of Pu Mat National Park. Rich,dense,vibrant
flora delights the eyes. Animals call to one another and creeks murmur secrets..
From time to time, an animal as rare as a bovid runs by. One encounters
mysterious caves and majestic cascading waterfalls. You can enjoy the famous
Mat fish of the Giang River at Pha Lai (aka Con Cuong) Dam. Go up the Giang River
to feel the divinity of great primeval forests “at the beginning of time and
space.” Overcome thick vegetation and precarious paths to suddenly see the Co
Phat, Bung and Con villages of the Da Lai tribe. Let your heart throb when you
see the Khe Kem (a.k.a. Boc Bo, meaning a white silk ribbon) waterfall rumbling
down commandingly from 500m above sea level at the kernel area of Pu Mat. From
here, skirting rugged rocky passes and crossing some streams, one comes to the
tops of Khe Bu, Khe Thoi and Khe Choang and sees an endless Fujian cypress
forest below and the mysterious Lun Forest above. There are plenty of
other things to do, such as visiting the brocade trade village of Yen Thanh,
Luc Za Commune; taking a dip in the cool Nuoc Moc Creek; exploring the Oc (Tham
Hoi) and Nang Man Caves; contemplating the fabled Vuc Bong Gorge and the infinitely
green guava grape myrtle forest of Tuong Zuong, a masterpiece of Mother Nature.
Homeward flight
The millennium old China-fir tree
Photos
taken in Feb 2014 at the Pu Mat nature conservation zone, Con Cuong District,
Nghe An Province.
Phone/fax no. 038-387-3374; Email: vqgpm@hn.vnn.vn; Bilingual (Vietnamese-English) Web HomePage at: http://www.pumat.vn.
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