Dong Tam Snake Farm — Attraction in Xã Bình Đức

First I thought visiting this place was a mistake, then I realized it was worth it as I can share the experience with you.

Trai Ran Dong Tam claims to be one of the largest snake-raising centers in Vietnam, and as a nature lover I was hoping to learn more about these fascinating animals. The first disappointment came right after entering the park. Among shops with refreshments, there was a store with leather goods offering bags, belts and wallets made out of snake as well as crocodile skins. Unfortunately that was only the beginning. Following the path you would come to the first “attraction”. Two gibbons in a cage with no trees, no plants, no earth. Only metal, concrete and a shelter made out of rusty plates. Soon I realized the whole place is built like this. It was not a reservation and not even a zoo. It was an extremely cruel prison for animals. You do not have to be a zoologist to see how much the animals suffer in Trai Ran Dong Tam. And not only the gibbons. There were macaques with chains around their necks bound to trees. The chains were about one meter long so the monkeys could not move and did not even have access to water. Other macaques were kept in concrete cages without any trees, plants and places to hide. Two wild bengal cats were kept in a tiny cage with a wire mesh floor. They had only one wooden bench with nails coming out of it. A starved horse lived among plastic garbage. An ostrich with barely any feathers (likely due to boredom and stress). A majestic bengal tiger had a cage no bigger than 30 square meters. The same was the case for two Malaysian bears. Unfortunately the list continues and not even the snakes had better living conditions. There were hundreds of them all kept in extremely small concrete or metal cages that were found all over the park. There was no attention given to the needs of specific species, all of them were kept in the same, about 1 square meter big cages. You would not even find any information signs, so you would not know what you were looking at. The biggest snakes were kept in a building, treated as products rather living beings. Their cages were completely empty except for the bowls with water. Some had wooden floors, some had nothing but wire mesh instead. The snakes could not hide and could not properly move. Taxidermized snakes were exhibited in a building called “The museum of snakes”, along with a turtle, tiger and a few other species.

The last terrible thing I saw in Trai Ran Dong Tam were two puppies chained to a tree painted to look like tigers.

I dislike writing negative reviews and I am a positive person, but what I saw in this place was so sad and so cruel I think it is my duty to spread knowledge about it to as many people as possible. This place should be shut down. For me, it was also surprising to find the place to be operated by the Vietnamese military. Who else should be more responsible for the country and its nature than the...

Dear responsibles of the Dong Tam Snake Farm, I and my girlfriend were visiting your farm this summer 2015 and we have to distinctly protest about the general condition, in which you keep a big part of your animals. I know, I am looking at the situation from a western point of view and it is obvious, that the western standards of animal keeping are far above (or just very different from) vietnamese standards, but when it comes to obvious mistreatement, I feel the urge - even as a layman - to make a statement. The condition of some animals were alarming. They were obviously suffering of the big heat, because they couldn't hide in a sheltered place, and the ribbed roof was producing such a heat, that some of the animals were observably fighting for a stable circulation. Especially the bears you are keeping, seemed to be in a miserable condition. Some of them did not even had provided some water to drink. Besides that, the space you provide for each animal is mostly disturbing. The space for a big animal like a bear is only a few square meters! Only concrete, no place to hide, the distance between animal and visitors is sometimes less than to meters, a situation that must be agonizing for every wild animal! I don't understand much about snakes and there appropriate keeping, but to see giant pythons in superlittle, narrow cages with nothing than a wooden grid as a floor made me feel miserable.

I beg you to reconsider your concept of keeping wild animals and consider the fact, that animals are creatures with feelings like pain, hunger, fear, exhaustion and with the inherent necessity of shelter, calm, appropriate temperatures and movement. I thank you for taking my statement serious and as an input to improve a situation that doesn't really match with the needs of animals, if you take them as living and sensing creatures, which have the right to be treated with respect and appropriate means. With kind regards Christoph Moerikofer,...

During my recent visit to Dong Tam Snake Farm, located a mere 65km from Ho Chi Minh City, I was enveloped in a sense of adventure and education. The farm, which plays a pivotal role in producing anti-venom for the 15,000 snake bite victims in Vietnam annually, also champions global conservation efforts. The staff’s hospitality was commendable, ensuring that language barriers were non-existent for an English-speaking Australian like myself. The presence of an adept English translator and a knowledgeable guide enhanced the experience manifold. Among the many highlights, the encounter with the king cobra was particularly exhilarating. These regal serpents, with their imposing presence and hypnotic gaze, command respect and admiration. Observing them in their well-designed enclosures, I gained a deeper appreciation for these formidable creatures, often misunderstood and feared. The farm’s efforts in preserving such species and educating visitors about their importance in the ecosystem are truly laudable. The park’s diverse array of reptiles, including the docile albino pythons and the playful iguanas, added to the rich tapestry of wildlife encounters. The opportunity to interact with two-month-old Bengal tiger cubs was a tender contrast to the adrenaline of the cobra experience. Facilities at Dong Tam are thoughtfully curated, from the immaculate restrooms to the variety of dining options, ensuring visitors’ comfort. The park also caters to families, with playgrounds for children and a tranquil pond for fishing enthusiasts. In conclusion, Dong Tam Snake Farm offers an authentic and educational experience, deeply rooted in conservation. It stands as a testament to the dedication of those working to protect endangered species. For anyone with a passion for wildlife and a thirst for knowledge, this farm is a treasure waiting to be discovered. I wholeheartedly recommend a visit, whether you’re coming from Ho Chi Minh City or exploring Tien Giang province. Vietnamese (Google Translate): Trong chuyến thăm gần đây tới Trại rắn Đồng Tâm, nằm cách Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh chỉ 65km, tôi đã tràn ngập cảm giác phiêu lưu và học hỏi. Trang trại này đóng vai trò then chốt trong việc sản xuất thuốc chống nọc độc cho 15.000 nạn nhân bị rắn cắn ở Việt Nam hàng năm, đồng thời cũng đi đầu trong nỗ lực bảo tồn toàn cầu. Sự hiếu khách của nhân viên thật đáng khen ngợi, đảm bảo rằng rào cản ngôn ngữ không tồn tại đối với một người Úc nói tiếng Anh như tôi. Sự hiện diện của một dịch giả tiếng Anh lão luyện và một hướng dẫn viên am hiểu đã nâng cao trải nghiệm lên gấp nhiều lần. Trong số nhiều điểm nổi bật, cuộc chạm trán với rắn hổ mang chúa đặc biệt gây phấn khích. Những con rắn vương giả này, với vẻ ngoài uy nghiêm và ánh mắt thôi miên, khiến người ta phải tôn trọng và ngưỡng mộ. Quan sát chúng trong những chiếc chuồng được thiết kế đẹp mắt, tôi có được sự đánh giá sâu sắc hơn về những sinh vật ghê gớm này, thường bị hiểu lầm và sợ hãi. Những nỗ lực của trang trại trong việc bảo tồn các loài như vậy và giáo dục du khách về tầm quan trọng của chúng trong hệ sinh thái thực sự đáng khen ngợi. Sự đa dạng của các loài bò sát trong công viên, bao gồm cả những con trăn bạch tạng ngoan ngoãn và những con cự đà vui tươi, đã làm tăng thêm sự phong phú của các cuộc gặp gỡ động vật hoang dã. Cơ hội tiếp xúc với những chú hổ Bengal con hai tháng tuổi là một sự tương phản dịu dàng với cảm giác phấn khích khi trải nghiệm rắn hổ mang. Cơ sở vật chất tại Đồng Tâm được chăm chút chu đáo, từ phòng vệ sinh sạch sẽ cho đến lựa chọn ăn uống đa dạng, đảm bảo sự thoải mái cho du khách. Công viên cũng phục vụ các gia đình, có sân chơi cho trẻ em và ao nước yên tĩnh cho những người đam mê câu cá. Tóm lại, Trại rắn Đồng Tâm mang đến trải nghiệm đích thực và mang tính giáo dục, bắt nguồn sâu sắc từ việc bảo tồn. Nó là minh chứng cho sự cống hiến của những người làm việc để bảo vệ các loài có nguy cơ tuyệt chủng. Đối với bất kỳ ai có niềm đam mê với động vật hoang dã và khao khát kiến thức, trang trại này là một kho báu đang chờ...