Part III: The Binh Thuan Desert

The southern coast of Vietnam was characterized by pristine, lowland dry forests until the middle of the last century. Due to deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, degradation and exhaustion, flooding, drought and water pollution caused by unplanned development and clear-cutting, which are widespread throughout the region, this forest type has all but disappeared and a new desert is emerging in its place. Much of the coast of Binh Thuan province now comprises a desert-like environment or may be classified as a desert.

The Binh Thuan desert has many interesting geological features. Not only are there immense sand dunes, but also vast sand canyons with interesting shapes and formations in rainbows of black, grey, white, red, orange and gold. There are rocky, boulder-strewn mountains, and beaches with amazing stone formations and caves. Hot springs are located at opposite ends of the province along the coast, and recent earthquakes indicate that the region is still seismically active.

The coastal dunes area are known to contain endemic species of plants, including Dipterocarpaceae, and thought to contain many undiscovered species. Two cactus commonly found in the desert here, dragon fruit or pitaya, and prickly pear are in fact native to the americas, and were imported to Vietnam.

Coastal forests once including the endangered douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus), red-cheeked gibbon (Hylobates gabriellae), pileated gibbon (Hylobates pileatus), tigers (Panthera tigris), Germain's peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron germaini) and Grey-faced tit-babbler (Macronous kelleyi). Many of these species, including tigers, were commonly encountered through 1975. However, with development, deforestation and emerging desertification, these species have been pushed back to the mountains, and the few remaining reserves in the province, like Kalon-Song Mao and Nui Ong.

Reptiles commonly encountered in the emerging Binh Thuan desert include geckos, skinks, fence lizards, cobras, Russels Viper and Malayan Pit Vipers. Scorpions, giant millipedes and centipedes also abound. Streams in the dunes can include a variety of minnows, mudfish, guppies and crustaceans. Mammals are rare, put it is possible to see otters, squirrels and monkeys.

Before 1975, much of the province was covered in dense forests, which were clear-cut to make room for rice fields which were never developed. Thanh Linh District in the south of Binh Thuan lost 52% of the forest cover from 1965-1998, leading to drought and flash flood. In many sites, poor choices of crop types unsuitable for the soil and environmental conditions failed. Massive desertification resulted, causing dune areas to expand greatly.

Binh Thuan province receives 1150 mm/year of rain on average. This figure however, includes mountainous areas to the north of the province which receive a much great annual rainfall than the coast. A four-month period from December to March is characterized by very little precipitation (about 23 mm). The area of Hong Phong near the White Sand Dunes is the driest location in SE Asia, with the annual rainfall ranging less than 500 mm/yr. The area suffers considerable drought during the dry season, which was never experienced prior the complete removal of forest. With no ground cover, intense heat, and sand soils, surface water evaporates quickly. The 2005 dry season experienced intense heat and winds in the province, and many cattle and trees died. Sand storms swept through the countryside for a brief period.

The resort area of Mui Ne is fortunate to be virtually immune from the dought problems during dry season. A microclimate creates an oasis along the beach where the dunes act as a buffer and wind blocker to trap moisture in the humid air, and natural spring waters flow in streams out to the sea. Developers must be careful to observe past mistakes in the province and preserve the trees and groundcover that exists in Mui Ne. Without the groves of coconut palms, bananas trees and other plants found here, Mui Ne would likely become a barren desert landscape.

Additional Reading on Our Site

• Part I: The White Sand Dunes
• Part II: Environmental Concerns at Bau Trang
• Binh Thuan Desert Photos

Outside Sources and Further Reading

• World Vision Bac Binh ADP
• World Vision Bac Binh Land Survey
• Environmental Report - Bao Trang Lake, White Sand Dunes
• UNESCO Article on Aquifer Artificial Recharge for Bao Trang
• Artifical Recharge Worshop Report
• Poor Soil and Farming Restraints in Binh Thuan
• Southern Vietnam Lowland Dry Forests
• VNS Binh Thuan Drought 22.11.04
• Vietnam Cycad and Palm Expedition