Dong Tam Snake Farm and the stage of 40 years

Over 40 years of construction and development, the Center for Breeding, Research and Processing of Medicinal Materials (as the Center or Dong Tam Snake Farm) has implemented a good job of scientific research; production of traditional medicine for healing, emergency and poisonous snake treatment; at the same time, combining ecotourism sites of Cuu Long river.

Photo: THAI THIEN

According to the Senior Lieutenant Phan Van Phat, Director of the Center, during the process of building and growing, the Center has many changes, progress and well accomplished political tasks assigned. The center has collected, planted and propagated 35 common medicinal plants, with the effect of curing 15 common diseases prescribed by the Ministry of Health.

In 1978, the Center planted more than 60 kinds of medicinal plants, cultivating housands of seedlings to provide nearly 20 uinits including army medical units and civil medical units, serving for the construction and development of medicinal herbs, contributing to the strongly development movement of medicinal herbs garden in military units and neighboring provinces such as Tien Giang province, Long An province and Ben Tre province.

Delegates visit the Center's traditional room. Photo THAI THIEN

In order to have many kinds of medicines for the research, production of traditional medicine, care and treatment for the army and people, the Center has collected, cultivated and developed the snake, python, bear, deer, ostrich, lizard, crocodile, wildcat, yellow turtle; in which, copperhead, king cobra, green snake are all very rare and as pharmarceutical element to cure for many diseases.

Since its beginning days, the Center has identified the emergency and treatment of venomous snakebite as a major task. Over the past 40 years, the Center gave first aid and treatment to more than 20,000 victims of snakebite, especially since 2004 no victims died in treatment.

In addition to scientific research, production of traditional medicine, emergency treatment and poisonous snake treatment, the Center has brought into full play the specific strengths of the region and exploited the available advantages to benefit the unit. The medicinal herbs garden, ornamental plants, animal houses, bird gardens are built according to the garden style "zoological garden"; the poisonous sbake breed in the cage or in the natural conditions create a fascinating animal conservation ecosystem for tourists to visit.

Dozens of snake specimens are displayed in the museum with elaborate imaging techniques, preserved in smooth solvents are the place served scientists, graduate students, students in the field of reptile class to study. From 2010 to now, the center received nearly 140,000 visitors per a year, and 206,000 visitors in 20016.

At present, Military Region 9 and Logistics Department have assigned the Center for building Dong Tam Snake Farm 2 farm in Phu Quoc with an area of 27.4 hectares and an investment capital of VND15 billion. The main task is to treat snake bites for soldiers and people in the sea, Southwest islands and combine the ecotourism, python and snake species for tourists in every part of the country.

By PHUONG ANH – Translated by NGUYEN HUU