Discover the "green gem" in the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Located within the Bai Tu Long National Park complex, Ba Mun Island has long been considered a green gem amidst the islands of Quang Ninh province. As the largest island in the Bai Tu Long archipelago, Ba Mun boasts pristine, majestic beauty and a diverse ecosystem, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and explorers .

Ba Mun Island, also known as Cao Lo Island, covers an area of approximately 1,800 hectares and stretches nearly 20 kilometers in a northeast-southwest direction. Notably, the island was formed on a bedrock with the oldest geological composition in Bai Tu Long National Park, including conglomerate, sandstone, and shale. The complex terrain and underwater channels have created a unique ecosystem with many rare plant and animal species.

faf — Ba Mun is a lush green forest nestled in the heart of the picturesque Bai Tu Long Bay.

The island's ecosystem is a vast evergreen tropical forest with a multi-layered tree structure and rich vegetation. High temperatures and humidity facilitate strong decomposition, increasing humus accumulation, improving soil fertility, and creating a closed material cycle. This is an ideal habitat for many wildlife species and a treasure trove of rich and diverse tropical biological resources. Notably, the ecosystem on mountainous islands like Ba Mun is completely different from the rocky islands in Ha Long Bay, offering a richer biodiversity with plant species such as *Ba Mun*, *Lactuca indica*, and *Panax notoginseng*.

Ba Mun Island boasts seven large streams with unique names such as: Big Pig's Nest Stream, Small Pig's Nest Stream, Mieu Danh Stream, Van Lau Stream, Cao Lo Stream, and Che Stream... The stream water remains clean year-round, thanks to the extensive forest cover, making it a valuable source of fresh water in the middle of the ocean. The forest regeneration density reaches 2,400-2,600 trees/ha, of which about 60-70% of the regenerated trees are over 1.5m tall, with young trees growing quickly and being resistant to pests and diseases.

Visiting Ba Mun Island is a journey of discovery through fascinating nature. Here, tourists not only get to immerse themselves in pristine nature but also have the opportunity to explore a rich animal world. The island is home to many wild animals such as clouded leopards, pythons, golden monkeys, pangolins, and especially the only population of golden deer in Northeast Vietnam. In addition, seabirds and migratory birds frequently appear, contributing to a vibrant natural landscape. In this wild environment, visitors can encounter golden deer leisurely grazing or herds of wild boars playing by the stream. This diverse ecosystem not only creates a unique attraction but also has high scientific value in nature conservation research.

Ba Mun Island once faced illegal hunting, leading to a decline in animal populations. However, thanks to strict conservation measures, the populations of golden deer and wild boar are gradually recovering. Officials from Bai Tu Long National Park regularly monitor and protect the habitats of these species. Simultaneously, a wildlife rescue center was established to care for and protect affected individuals.

faf — The island's ecosystem is diverse and is regularly marked, inspected, and protected by National Park staff.

Recognizing the potential of ecotourism in Ba Mun, the province has set forth many sustainable development directions. The expansion of ecotourism routes, combined with upgrading infrastructure such as seaports, transportation, and accommodation, is being implemented to create favorable conditions for tourists. The province also encourages the development of community-based tourism, creating economic opportunities for local people while preserving indigenous culture.

Ba Mun Island – the green gem of Bai Tu Long Bay – is not only an attractive destination for nature lovers but also an important biodiversity conservation area. With sustainable ecotourism development orientations and the expansion of tourism in Bai Tu Long Bay, Ba Mun promises to become one of the unmissable destinations, a valuable resource for developing unique tourist tours.

Ha Phong

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