VITAL ORGAN: Sơn Trà Peninsula is the 'green lung' of Đà Nẵng City. VNA/VNS Photos Văn Dũng

Sơn Trà Peninsula, located to the northeast of Đà Nẵng Coastal City, is likened to a natural treasure, a “green lung” and a “storm shelter” of the city.

The peninsula is an isolated massif covering a total area of 4,730ha, with an average altitude of about 350m. Its highest peak - Ốc Peak - is 696m high.

FAB FLORA: The peninsula is home to over 1,000 species of plants like Millettia nigrescens Gagn.

Sơn Trà has mild temperatures all year round, about 24-25 degrees Celsius. Its forests are capable of regenerating oxygen for about four million people.

Scientists have recorded that over 1,000 species of plants and 531 species of animals, many of which are listed in the Red Book of Việt Nam, take shelter in the peninsula.

Among them, the brown-shanked douc langur is known as the "Queen of Primates" and is famous not only in Việt Nam but worldwide and has been recorded in the Red Book of Việt Nam. It was estimated that there were over 700 brown-shanked douc langurs in Sơn Trà Peninsula in 2019.

QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE: Brown-shanked douc langur, known as the 'Queen of Primates', takes shelter in the peninsula.

Local authorities in recent years have always paid attention to preserving the sustainable ecological diversity of the “green lung”.

According to the head of Sơn Trà-Ngũ Hành Sơn Forest Protection Department, Ngô Trường Chinh, the unit has always appointed regular patrols in key areas to prevent illegal hunting and breaking animal traps promptly.

At the same time, the Department has coordinated with functional units to encourage local people and tourists to join hands in preserving the biodiversity on the Sơn Trà Peninsula. Measures to prevent forest fires have also been strictly implemented within the area.

FOREST GUARDIANS: Members of the Sơn Trà - Ngũ Hành Sơn Forest Protection Department patrol the Son Trà Forest to protect the biodiversity.

The Deputy Head of the Management Board of Sơn Trà Peninsula and Đà Nẵng tourist beaches, Phạm Minh Hải, said all tourism activities on the peninsula had been closely associated with the conservation of natural resources to develop sustainable tourism.

“We are designing a programme of trekking and exploring nature under the forest canopy for students, residents and visitors, thereby helping to raise awareness about protecting and preserving biodiversity in Sơn Trà Peninsula,” he added. VNS

IT WAS ALL YELLOW: Yellow Flamboyant, a typical tree of Sơn Trà Peninsula, blooms brightly in late March.