Ta Kou, also known as Ta Cu, lies in Ham Thuan Nam, about 20 km from Phan Thiet, and is known for its distinctive coastal forests, mountain landscapes and rare wildlife.
The existing Ta Kou Nature Reserve was established in 1996, with Ta Kou Mountain rising about 697 metres above sea level.
The area contains several forest ecosystems at different elevations, including low-mountain evergreen broadleaf forest and tropical semi-deciduous and deciduous forests at lower elevations, providing diverse habitats for wildlife.
Studies have recorded 287 animal species at Ta Kou, including 32 endangered, rare or precious species such as the black-shanked douc, Annamese silvered langur and stump-tailed macaque.
Ta Kou also supports hundreds of plant species, including valuable trees and medicinal plants traditionally used by local communities.
The proposed Ta Kou Nature Reserve would cover 8,408 hectares across Ham Thuan Nam and Tan Thanh communes, according to a plan reviewed by provincial authorities on August 19.
Of the total, about 7,342 hectares would be natural forest, 282 hectares planted forest and 784 hectares unforested forestry land.
The reserve is intended to provide a stronger legal framework for forest management and protection while conserving ecosystems, biodiversity, genetic resources, landscapes and forest environmental services.
It would also support restoration of degraded forests, scientific research, environmental education and regulated ecotourism.
The proposed reserve would comprise three functional zones: a 2,994-hectare strictly protected area, a 3,954-hectare ecological restoration zone and a 1,460-hectare administrative and service zone.
A further 9,290 hectares would form a buffer zone aimed at supporting forest protection while improving livelihoods for surrounding communities.
Plans include boundary marking, forest restoration and protection, biodiversity monitoring and wildfire prevention, alongside research, environmental education and livelihood support for buffer-zone communities. Ecotourism development will also be explored in line with conservation requirements.
The plan is expected to require more than VND 75 billion (USD 2.9 million) between 2026 and 2030, including about VND 16 billion in development investment, VND 53 billion in recurrent spending and VND 6 billion from other legal sources.
The proposal is undergoing appraisal and will require approval from competent authorities before the reserve can be formally established.
Lam Dong Standing Vice Chairman Le Trong Yen asked agencies to further review the proposal to ensure consistency with provincial and national planning and avoid overlaps.
