Trang Nguyen, founder of WildAct: “The challenges in conservation come from humans, and the solutions also come from humans”

Having worked in various conservation settings around the world, what is your perspective on how Vietnam is progressing in this space?

From my work across different regions from Africa to Asia, I’ve observed that Vietnam is slowly but surely heading in the right direction. Encouragingly, more organisations are recognising the vital role local communities play in conservation efforts.

That said, Vietnam is still in an early phase. Models that are community-based, tied to livelihoods, or led by local initiatives remain limited when compared with other countries. Much of our approach still leans on top-down structures, and there’s a lack of policy frameworks that actively empower communities to take a central role in environmental protection.

There are positive signs, though. Recent government directives, such as the Prime Minister’s Directive 29 and Directive 04, focused on wildlife and migratory bird protection, signal an increasing commitment from leadership. But for conservation efforts to be truly sustainable, Vietnam must go further: by deepening international collaboration, investing in grassroots capacity, and weaving conservation goals more closely into local socio-economic development strategies.

How do you perceive your role as one of the pioneers in the field of environmental and wildlife protection in Vietnam?

I wouldn’t describe myself as a “pioneer”, but rather as part of a generation that continues to make dedicated efforts in protecting Vietnam’s environment and wildlife. When we speak of pioneers, we should honour the conservationists who came before us—figures such as Professor Do Quy and Professor Dang Huy Huynh, followed by the likes of Ha Thang Long and Nguyen Van Thai.

I see my role not only as someone who carries out conservation work but also as a connector who inspires and helps to create opportunities for others, particularly young people, women, and local communities, to engage in protecting nature. Conservation, in my view, is a long-term endeavour, built on collaboration and sustained commitment. I’m simply doing my part, hoping to encourage positive change and contribute to a more sustainable future for both people and nature in Vietnam.

Read more: Dr Phi Thi Linh Giang, sustainable tourism activist: “Go to understand the land, return to preserve the soul of the homeland”

In a recent interview, Trang Nguyen shared that her current dream is for Vietnam to develop a conservation study programme, tailored to national conditions and taught in Vietnamese. To make this a reality, you have begun working with several universities to introduce courses in wildlife conservation. How is this progressing?

WildAct has been collaborating with Vietnamese universities, including Vinh University and Hanoi Law University, since 2018 to offer short courses in wildlife conservation. These were created to better understand the aspirations and needs of young Vietnamese hoping to pursue careers in conservation. The impact has been encouraging: nearly a third of participating students have gone on to find employment or receive promotions within Vietnam’s conservation sector after completing the course.

After years of effort, we’ve now reached a significant milestone by securing a partnership with the University of Natural Sciences under Vietnam National University, Hanoi. We expect to officially launch a master’s programme in biodiversity conservation this September—the first in Vietnam to offer instruction in Vietnamese, by Vietnamese experts, and focused on the country’s own biodiversity. This is a dream that many of my colleagues and I have long worked towards: a programme shaped to fit Vietnam’s realities and needs. We hope it will help train a new generation of conservationists, highly skilled and well-prepared to address the pressing demand for talent in this field.

In addition to academic work, WildAct is known for its lively and impactful initiatives. The organisation also released two children’s books, Wild Chang—Bear and Wild Chang—Elephant, to raise awareness among younger audiences. What results have these efforts achieved?

WildAct’s work, including our community engagement programmes and the publication of Wild Chang—Bear and Wild Chang—Elephant has helped shift public attitudes, particularly among young people, towards wildlife conservation. These activities draw in enthusiastic participation from students, but they also reach beyond to parents, teachers and schools, broadening the conversation around environmental stewardship.

Both books have been integrated into wider education and outreach campaigns. They’re used as learning tools in workshops, talks and extracurricular activities for students not only in Vietnam but also in neighbouring countries and even further afield. We’ve received invitations to speak at schools in Thailand, Malaysia, and the UK, which reflects growing international interest in Vietnam’s conservation journey.

These creative and accessible educational methods have proven highly effective. They’re shaping a more conscious and responsible generation when it comes to nature and environmental issues. Every WildAct initiative, large or small, is carefully planned with impact in mind. For instance, our data shows that 87% of those who participate in our education programmes report a noticeable increase in their knowledge afterwards. It’s this kind of tangible result that gives us the foundation and motivation to continue building and expanding our conservation education and communication projects for the future.

Which key forest areas in Vietnam is WildAct currently implementing conservation activities in, and what are the difficulties that you and the rangers are facing?

At our primary project site, Chu Yang Sin National Park, WildAct is working in close partnership with forest rangers to safeguard the remaining forest landscapes of the Southern Annamite Mountains. Yet the challenges are many. Covering up to 60,000 hectares, the park is currently patrolled by just 100 rangers, leaving each one responsible for an area of approximately 600 hectares.

Beyond being drastically understaffed, the rangers are frequently exposed to real danger. Many face threats, are pursued, caught in traps, and in some cases even shot at when uncovering illegal activities. In 2023, we launched a community fundraising campaign to support Mr Ngo Duc Lien—a ranger who was shot by a hunter and left with 17 pieces of shrapnel lodged in his body.

But the risks extend beyond violence. Rangers must endure extremely difficult conditions—working without access to clean water, often lacking basic equipment, and spending extended periods isolated deep within the forest.

To respond to these difficulties, WildAct is committed to supporting rangers in every way possible. This includes providing training to strengthen patrolling skills, offering technological tools to enhance forest monitoring and on-duty safety, and introducing the Chu Yang Sin Forest Keeper Award—an annual initiative that acknowledges the essential but often overlooked role of rangers in protecting Vietnam’s biodiversity.

In working alongside them, we’ve come to understand more of their personal challenges. Many ranger families face financial hardship. Some have children with congenital illnesses, others are unable to afford schooling for their children. In response, WildAct has been fundraising and building partnerships with Vietnamese businesses to ensure that no child has to leave school due to financial strain. In 2024, ten scholarships were awarded, helping to ease this burden. For us, this is both an expression of gratitude and a way of standing in solidarity with those who risk so much to protect Vietnam’s wild heritage.

What wildlife conservation activities does WildAct do?

WildAct is currently leading a long-term initiative focused on conserving migratory birds along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. A key species in this effort is the spoon-billed sandpiper, among the world’s most endangered migratory birds and the emblem of the project. Vietnam’s Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve serves as a vital stopover along their migratory path, which spans thousands of kilometres.

However, these birds face serious threats. Wetlands are shrinking and deteriorating due to conversion into aquaculture farms for shrimp and fish. Meanwhile, the use of nets and traps during migration season, alongside the consumption and trade of wild birds in local markets, has become increasingly widespread.

Since 2021, WildAct has been collaborating with rangers across Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh and Thai Binh provinces to dismantle more than 9,000 metres of illegal bird nets in key hunting hotspots. We’ve also rescued and returned over 180 wild birds to their natural habitat. Alongside these efforts, we’ve delivered bird rescue training for 14 rangers, enabling them to safely and humanely handle trapped birds—helping improve rescue outcomes and raising the overall standard of response.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of our conservation work, particularly when it comes to empowering women. More than 50 local women have received support to design and carry out their own bird conservation projects, with two groups receiving micro-grants to fund specific initiatives. At the same time, we’ve hosted more than ten workshops and communication events, bringing together rangers, women’s unions, teachers, religious leaders and local media to encourage wider public involvement.

Driven by a long-term vision to protect migratory species such as the spoon-billed sandpiper, we’re now scaling up partnerships, embracing new technologies and continuing to mobilise communities. Our goal is to build a national, community-led monitoring network, ensuring that these extraordinary birds can continue their journeys across Vietnam in safety.

Is there another wildlife issue—the issue of exploitation—that worries you and you wish could be changed?

What troubles me most isn’t only the exploitation or trade of wildlife, but the deeper human causes behind them. When I first entered the conservation field, I thought my work would centre around forests and animals. But over time, I came to realise that every conservation challenge is rooted in human behaviour, and the solutions must begin there too.

From poaching and deforestation to the consumption of wildlife, these issues all reflect broader questions of awareness, livelihoods, development, and how systems are managed. That’s why, alongside protecting animals and restoring habitats, we’ve increasingly focused our efforts on working directly with people, whether local communities, government agencies, businesses, or consumers. Unless human awareness and behaviour change, conservation will remain a reactive effort, never a lasting one.

At WildAct, our guiding philosophy is “Investing in people for a thriving planet”. It informs everything we do. Throughout this interview, you’ll see that people are always at the centre of our work—from training and educational programmes, to outreach campaigns, scholarships, and awards for rangers’ families or local communities. The goal is to help people see the value and relevance of nature in their own lives, and to feel a shared sense of responsibility for it.

I’ve always hoped to help spark lasting change in how people think and act, so that conservation becomes embedded in culture and shared responsibility, rather than a duty held only by conservationists.

What makes you believe in the potential of conservation in Vietnam and in the world in general?

What gives me hope is the gradual but clear shift in public awareness and behaviour, especially among the younger generation. Increasingly, young people from all fields, not just environmental science, are choosing to engage in wildlife and environmental initiatives. And within Vietnam, more businesses and organisations are beginning to embrace sustainable, green, and responsible development as essential principles, not optional extras.

Globally, we’re seeing community-centred conservation models proving their worth, approaches that align environmental protection with human development. These models are now being introduced in Vietnam, and I believe they will continue to grow. As values of conservation and sustainability are woven more deeply into education, media, and policy, the conservation field in Vietnam will become more professional, more sustainable, and more influential.

On a personal level, I’ve been deeply inspired by the local communities and rangers we work with at WildAct. Despite immense challenges, they consistently show resilience, commitment, and a real desire to learn and grow alongside nature. Their dedication is what convinces me that conservation is more than a job, it’s part of the future we must build together for a sustainable society.

As someone who used to specialise in researching the habitat and behaviour of animals, Trang has spent time closely involved in investigative projects related to wildlife trafficking. Can Trang say more about this?

My journey began with studying animal habitats and behaviour. I was accustomed to life in the field, tracking species, gathering data, and contributing to scientific research. But the more time I spent in these environments, the more I realised that the animals I was studying were under threat. Many were being hunted, sold, or simply vanishing, and illegal wildlife trade was the primary cause.

Publishing scientific reports alone no longer felt sufficient. I felt the urgent need to move beyond observation into action. That led me to join wildlife trafficking investigations. I worked with international organisations and enforcement agencies, helping to gather evidence, trace smuggling routes, and analyse intelligence linked to cross-border trafficking networks.

These experiences gave me a closer look at the intricate workings of the illegal trade and allowed me to apply my field expertise in practical ways, whether by supporting investigations, identifying species, or verifying smuggled wildlife specimens.

My experience in wildlife crime investigations has given me a deeper, more nuanced understanding of conservation. Protecting a species goes far beyond safeguarding its habitat. It also means addressing the entire supply-and-demand chain, and working closely with law enforcement in host countries to curb wildlife crime. These experiences have provided me with first-hand stories, ones I share in my first book, Return to the Wild to help inspire communities to come together for the protection of wildlife.

Conservation, and particularly case investigation, demands both physical and mental resilience. As one of the few women working in this field, not only in Vietnam but globally, have you encountered gender bias or limitations in your career?

In truth, working in conservation—especially in areas like wildlife trafficking investigations—comes with challenges that are often gendered. Women in the field are sometimes doubted for their physical capabilities, or placed in environments where the risk of harassment is present. But rather than letting this experience remain personal, I’ve taken it as a call to action.

At WildAct, we’ve actively developed programmes that empower women within Vietnam’s conservation space. We encourage organisations, individuals, and institutions to collaborate in fostering safer, more equitable workplaces. From tailored training courses for women to equipping them with field and leadership skills, we also include guidance on preventing and responding to workplace harassment.

WildAct works closely with local partners to create opportunities for women to lead conservation efforts, especially in remote areas where they have traditionally had little influence in resource management. Through our projects, women have taken up roles often dominated by men, including forest patrolling and biodiversity monitoring. They’re not just participants; they’re role models and changemakers. Today, 68% of those benefitting from WildAct’s initiatives are women. I strongly believe that wildlife conservation cannot succeed without the inclusion, and leadership, of women. That belief continues to guide WildAct’s mission in advancing gender equity in Vietnam’s conservation field.

Community-centred conservation programmes are gaining traction globally. What steps does Vietnam need to take to move in the same direction?

WildAct has already begun applying the community-based conservation model here in Vietnam, with encouraging results. We recognise that meaningful conservation only happens when local communities, particularly ethnic minorities who live closest to the forest, are directly involved.

At Chu Yang Sin National Park, which has been severely affected by poaching and snaring, we’ve collaborated with park officials, local authorities, and the Hmong community to establish a Community Conservation Team. In this model, former hunters are now trained and equipped to become forest protectors themselves. We support them with the skills they need for patrolling, snare removal, and biodiversity monitoring. At the same time, we help develop alternative, sustainable livelihoods such as farming and livestock-raising to reduce reliance on the forest.

These efforts do more than just conserve nature. They help shift perspectives, instilling pride and a sense of ownership among local residents. People are no longer simply living near the forest, they have become its guardians. They patrol alongside official rangers, help shape conservation decisions, and encourage others to join the mission to protect their shared natural heritage.

What WildAct is doing demonstrates that community-based conservation can indeed be replicated in Vietnam, provided there is meaningful collaboration among stakeholders and a sustained commitment to walking alongside local communities. For this model to thrive, Vietnam needs clear, supportive policies that recognise and empower the role of communities in conservation. These might include regulations that formally allow co-management of natural resources, or frameworks that enable communities to benefit from sustainable activities such as ecotourism or forest ecosystem services.

It is equally important to invest in capacity-building initiatives that help local people understand both their rights and responsibilities in environmental stewardship. Access to microfinance or conservation funding also plays a crucial role, allowing communities to design and lead conservation efforts that reflect their unique context. Beyond this, the country must foster cross-sector collaboration, encouraging closer cooperation between state agencies, conservation groups, businesses, and local communities. Only by working in concert can Vietnam move towards a people-centred conservation model that protects biodiversity while also improving livelihoods and enhancing community wellbeing.

One big lesson you’ve learned from stepping into the natural world over the years?

The most significant lesson I’ve taken from my years in conservation is this: I genuinely love the work and care deeply about the cause, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy, or that it always brings joy.

I’ve noticed that many young people today associate passion with ease; they believe that if you truly love something, you won’t ever feel tired or discouraged. In my experience, the reality is more complex. This is a demanding line of work. There are moments of doubt, exhaustion, and even disillusionment. I often ask myself whether I’m on the right path. But despite the setbacks, I choose to carry on, not because it’s simple, but because I genuinely want to be here, doing this.

And I believe that sentiment holds true for anyone who is wholeheartedly pursuing their passion, regardless of the field.

Article adapted from the original feature in Tatler Vietnam, April 2025 issue

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