In recent decades, Vietnam's network of protected areas experienced extensive growth. More than 160 terrestrial and marine protected areas (approximately 2.2 million ha) associated with remarkable reforestation demonstrate major changes within environmental policies. Nevertheless, the degradation of the existing natural forest communities, the associated loss of species and decreasing resilience suggest that Vietnam has still not reached a satisfactory point of conserving these natural habitats. The current study presents an impressive example of land cover change over a period of approximately 40 years at the Bach Ma National Park. Deforestation and degradation processes are a result of illegal activities and land use changes, a consequence of the increasing population. However, land use conflicts often occur outside of protected areas where land cover changes are concentrated and accelerated.

This paper conducts an original study to examine the restoration of an endemic tropical wetland for bird enrichment in the Mekong Delta. Recovery of swamp Melaleuca forest was a key driver provided an appropriately structural landscape and environment to enrich bird diversity in the study area. During the period 2003 -2013, bird enrichment was increased to 159 bird species after a forest fire, happened in 2002, in which 15 waterbird species with 17,366 individuals; and populations of three waterbirds under the Global and Regional Endangered Lists with hundreds of individuals in UMT National Park. The recovery of forest and richness of birds were likely two important indicators of the successful restoration of Melaleuca swamp ecosystem in the area. Thus, relationships of six variables, involving Melaleuca recovery, bird richness, conservation values, technical awareness, tourism services, and wildfire, were considerable drivers needed to be understood for improving a sustainable management of forested wetland ecosystems. The restore of swamp Melaleuca forest can contribute an important role for the East Asian-Australasian Flyway of birds.