Ochna integerrima is a medicinal and ornamental plant, is widely distributed in Southeast Asia areas. In Vietnam, it has been ranked as the rare and endangered species due to its high demand trade of the beautiful species. In this study, total 21 Ochna samples, collected from the northern and southern areas, were used to characterize the morphological traits using morphological analyses and molecular tool. The results have revealed that the morphological characterization of flower and its quality of Yen Tu Ochna samples showed differences in comparison with the common Ochna and southern Ochna samples. To accurately distinguish genetic traits of the samples, we have sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (including ITS1, 5.8S) of 21 species. The results have disclosed the genetic correlations of the samples ranging from 96.25% to 100% among the studied Ochna samples, of which 5 samples include B1, B2, B3, B6 and N3.1 were divided into the separate groups. The current work is the first report in constructing a molecular database of Ochna for further assessment of inter-and intra-specific molecular diversity of Ochna species in Vietnam.

According to study about the reality of the development of the avocado and coffee trees intercrop model in Bao Lam district, Lam Dong province, we propose some solutions to develop the intercropping avocado with coffee firmly in this region. The results show that the area of intercrop avocado with coffee in Bao Lam district tends to increase over the years. This model has positively impacted on the economy, society and environment of the region.

Freshwater shrimp of the family Atyidae De Haan, 1849 have been studied in Vietnam for more than a century. A total of 24 species of atyid shrimps from the genera Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837, Neocaridina Kubo, 1938, Atyopsis Chace, 1983 have been recorded from Vietnam. With 22 species, the majority are from the genus Caridina. In 2013, Karge and Klotz mentioned the occurrence of four yet undescribed species belonging to Paracaridina Liang, Guo & Tang, 1999 in Vietnam without taxonomic details. In general, studies of freshwater atyids in Vietnam are limited and most Vietnamese taxa await a taxonomic revision. The available data do not fully reflect their estimated species diversity in the country and distribution data are deficient. Here, we focus on four species of atyid shrimps from two genera, viz. Caridina cantonensis Yu, 1938, C. lanceifrons Yu, 1936, C. serrata Stimpson, 1860 and Neocaridina palmata (Shen, 1948), all described from China and have been reported to occur in Vietnam. The previous reports on the occurrence of these species in Vietnam are largely unreliable due to taxonomic confusion. To contribute to the knowledge of these taxa, we provide the first verified distribution records of the four species in the country with some taxonomic remarks. This study shows the first taxonomically-verified distribution data of four atyid shrimp species originally described from China, but also reported from Vietnam, albeit under various species names and, in some cases, erroneously. These data allow the first meaningful discussion of the distribution in light of the reproductive strategy of these four species and, in conjunction with the taxonomic remarks, will contribute to the knowledge of these taxa. As a result of this research and data from previous studies, we now consider all four species as widespread and non-endemic, but land-locked (with a complete freshwater life cycle). In Vietnam, all four species are confined to the northern half of the country. Beyond Vietnam, we provide the first records for Caridina lanceifrons from southern Thailand, which suggests a major sampling gap in Indochina.

Abstract. The genus Rhododendron and Enkianthus are belonging the Ericaceae family. In Vietnam there have diversified with 12 genera and about 90 species, of which more rhododendrons 30 species with beautiful flowers and two of Enkianthus species, widely distributed across the regions of the country. In this study, twelve Vietnamese native Rhododendron and Enkianthus species collected from Quang Ninh province were identified based on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Comparison on sequencing among 12 Vietnamese native Rhododendron and Enkianthus with world's Rhododendron and Enkianthus species, we have determined the accurate same pattern the 5/10 species by recognition molecule forms such as DQ2, DQ5, DQ6, DQ7, DQ8 and five species as DQ1, DQ9, DQ10, DQ11 and DQ12 were determined in genus Rhododendron species. Two varieties of Enkianthus as DQ3 and DQ4 were identified as Enkianthus quinqueflorus. Although the species is still limited but the ITS sequences application revealed the strength of promotion of universal DNA barcode in the delimitation of species and subspecies level for plant group flowering.

The freshwater shrimp species Caridina cucphuongensis (family Atyidae) was poorly described by Dang (1980). Moreover, the taxonomic status of this species is hard to verify as the types have been lost. This study provides a redescription of the species and designation of a neotype specimen. The Caridina cucphuongensis Dang, 1980 is characterized by short rostrum with large teeth on the dorsal margin, long stylocerite, subrectangular endopod of male first pleopod, and short appendix interna of the male second pleopod.