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| Đồng Tâm Snake Farm receives thousands of students and researchers annually for educational tours and scientific study. VNA Photo |
TIỀN GIANG – Located in Tiền Giang Province, Đồng Tâm Snake Farm is renowned not only as a museum showcasing over 50 snake species but also as a unique and captivating tourist destination that draws visitors from Vịêt Nam and beyond.
Located in Bình Đức Commune, Châu Thành District, Đồng Tâm Snake Farm (also known as the Centre for Rearing, Researching, and Processing Medicinal Materials under the Logistics Department of Military Zone 9) is famed for its snake museum and its distinctive appeal as a tourist destination.
The farm houses thousands of snakes from over 50 species, including many highly venomous ones that are endangered, along with other rare animals.
Visitors are often amazed by the snake enclosures covered with secure iron mesh lids, carefully locked and labeled with clear descriptions of each species.
Inside, snakes such as king cobras, cobras, kraits, and others, varying in size and age, often display mottled brown or ivory-hued skins, resting motionless or coiled up in rock crevices after feeding.
Besides the king cobra, there are various other species such as monocled cobras, Siamese cobras, rat snakes, and many types of vipers.
While venomous snakes are housed in secure enclosures, non-venomous ones like water snakes, rat snakes, green vine snakes, and whip snakes are kept in semi-natural or natural environments.
According to Major Nguyễn Hữu Viên, a staff member at Đồng Tâm Snake Farm, the facility conserves over 1,000 snakes, focusing on preserving the genetic resources of the king cobra and monocled cobra, two rare and endangered species listed in Việt Nam’s Red Data Book.
To ensure effective conservation, the staff studies the specific traits of each species to provide appropriate care.
They not only feed and bathe the snakes but also monitor their health and administer treatment when signs of illness appear.
In addition to conservation, the farm has mastered the breeding process of venomous snakes, including mating, egg incubation, and rearing.
Notably, Đồng Tâm Snake Farm has successfully bred king cobras, significantly expanding the population of this rare and highly venomous species.
The farm also has an Emergency and Snakebite Treatment Department, which was established in 1979 by the late Lieutenant Colonel and physician Trần Văn Dược.
Since its inception, it has saved tens of thousands of lives, treating an average of 1,500 snakebite cases annually.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Văn Tuấn, head of the department, said that the facility treated 996 snakebite cases in 2024, with 70 per cent involving venomous species.
Thanks to timely the administration of antivenom, all patients recovered without fatalities.
The department is equipped with 20 beds, modern medical equipment, and a team of experienced doctors and nurses dedicated to providing emergency care and treatment for snakebite victims.
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| Đồng Tâm Snake Farm has successfully bred king cobras, significantly expanding the population of this rare and highly venomous species. Photo vietnamonline.com |
A unique tourist attraction
Beyond its scientific and medical contributions, Đồng Tâm Snake Farm attracts tourists with its distinctive features, such as a “miniature snake kingdom.”
Since 2022, the farm has hosted venom extraction demonstrations at 10:00am every Saturday and Sunday.
These demonstrations involve snakes like monocled cobras, red-tailed vipers, and kraits, providing visitors with knowledge about venomous snakes and proper first aid techniques.
Major Mai Thúy Hiền, deputy head of Tourism at Đồng Tâm Snake Farm, shared that visitors are introduced to the various snake and animal species at the farm, learning about their physiology, ecology, and habits.
Visitors can also interact with non-venomous snakes, participate in activities like crocodile fishing, and enjoy educational programmes tailored to different age groups.
Nguyễn Thành Công, an 11th-grade student, expressed that his visit to the farm was highly educational, helping him and his classmates recognise venomous and non-venomous snakes and understand safety measures.
The farm has developed additional attractions, such as herbal gardens, a small zoo with animals like bears and leopards, and aviaries.
Its snake museum, established in 1996, showcases nearly 100 rare snake species, with specimens of almost every snake species found in Việt Nam.
Recognised by the Việt Nam Records Book Centre in 2005, it remains the largest repository of snake specimens in the country.
With these unique offerings, Đồng Tâm Snake Farm receives thousands of students and researchers annually for educational tours and scientific study.
Recognised as a four-star OCOP (One Commune, One Product) eco-tourism destination in 2022, the farm is currently undergoing evaluation for five-star certification by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Hồng Phúc, Political Commissar and Secretary of the Party Committee at Đồng Tâm Snake Farm, stated, “Our vision is to develop Đồng Tâm Snake Farm into a high-quality tourist destination offering unique experiences while promoting sustainable tourism aligned with ASEAN’s tourism goals for 2025.”
The farm continues to expand its market by collaborating with travel agencies and introducing incentive programmes to attract more visitors.
It aims to sustainably develop tourism that combines education, health care, and ecological preservation. VNS
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