The tortoise, weighing about 2 kilogrammes, was found by Nguyen Van Dung, 54, in Bao Lam 2 Commune. Recognising it as a protected wild animal, he contacted local authorities.
The tortoise was received by local police and forest rangers, who confirmed it was healthy before releasing it back into the wild.
The yellow-headed tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) is listed as a Group IIB protected forest species in Vietnam and is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Authorities urged the public to report sightings of wild animals and avoid capturing, trading or keeping protected species.
