"Viet Nam Wild Live" – The first live wildlife television programme produced in Viet Nam

More than just a new television production, the project represents an effort to connect the public with nature, raise awareness of biodiversity conservation and encourage responsibility for protecting the country's precious natural heritage.

Unlike conventional wildlife documentaries that are filmed and edited in advance, "Viet Nam Wild Live" brings viewers closer to the natural world through live footage captured by a network of specialised cameras, monitoring systems and camera traps installed at various locations throughout Con Dao National Park.

Throughout five consecutive days of broadcasting, audiences will witness nature unfolding according to its own rhythms and laws. Viewers may observe a sea turtle nest beginning to hatch, a young bird emerging from its egg for the first time, or a bird of prey appearing across the sky.

Speaking at the project's launch ceremony, journalist Nguyen Thu Ha, Head of the Specialised Education and Science Department of Viet Nam Television, said "For the first time after many years of producing live broadcasts of news, sports and major events, VTV is undertaking a live wildlife television programme. We hope to bring nature closer to the public so that people can observe, explore and better appreciate the beauty of our country's natural environment, thereby fostering love for the homeland and a stronger sense of environmental responsibility."

According to the organisers, the idea for the project had been under development for several years. In 2025 alone, the production team spent more than a month conducting field surveys, assessing areas of high biodiversity value across Con Dao and researching technical solutions to ensure reliable live broadcasting from locations far from the mainland.

People's Artist and director Nguyen Hoang Lam described the project as offering Vietnamese audiences an entirely new way of experiencing nature.

He stated that "Rather than watching a carefully edited documentary, audiences will witness nature in its most pristine and authentic state. No matter where they are, viewers can follow the real-time story of life unfolding in the wild."

The scope of "Viet Nam Wild Live" extends beyond terrestrial habitats to include underwater ecosystems, providing a comprehensive portrayal of Con Dao's unique natural environments. The programme will also feature commentary from experienced experts, journalists and nature photographers, including journalist Do Doan Hoang, photographers Vo Rin and Thuy Linh, as well as experts Nguyen Khac Pho and Tran Dinh Hue. In addition, viewers will be able to watch live discussions with forest rangers who work tirelessly to protect the archipelago's natural resources.

The selection of Con Dao as the project's first destination is widely regarded as appropriate, given its status as one of the most valuable nature reserves in Viet Nam and the region.

According to forestry sector data, Con Dao National Park is one of Viet Nam's 36 national parks and holds several prestigious international conservation designations. In 2013, it was recognised as a Ramsar Site, a wetland of international importance. In 2019, Con Dao became a member of the Indian Ocean–South-East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding (IOSEA) Network of Important Marine Turtle Sites. In 2022, it was recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park. In 2025, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) included Con Dao National Park on its Green List, recognising it as a protected area that is effectively managed.

Con Dao is also recognised as the location where the largest number of sea turtles in Viet Nam are protected, incubated and released back into the wild. Meanwhile, Hon Trung has been identified as the country's largest seabird breeding ground.

According to the production team, the programme aims to create a bridge connecting people with nature through the most direct and authentic experiences possible.

"Viet Nam Wild Live" not only tells stories about wildlife but also seeks to promote public awareness of biodiversity conservation. Through understanding comes a desire to protect nature; through awareness comes a shared responsibility to preserve the precious values of our country and our world," the team representative emphasised.

"Viet Nam Wild Live" will be broadcast live daily from 12:30 to 14:30 on VTVgo and Viet Nam Television's digital platforms from June 25 to June 30.