Tam Dao bear sanctuary Vietnam

Our sanctuary in Tam Dao isn’t just a place of safety – it’s a blueprint for a better future

Nestled in the valley of Tam Dao National Park, our first Vietnam sanctuary provides a peaceful, protected home for around 200 moon and sun bears rescued from the brutal bear bile industry.

Covering 11 hectares of mountain landscape, the sanctuary offers bears space to roam, play and recover. From malnourished cubs to elderly survivors of bile farms, bears receive expert, tailored care – and the dignity they’ve always deserved.

Rebuilding broken bodies and hearts

New arrivals are quarantined and monitored in purpose-built units before joining the wider bear community. Those recovering from surgery or illness are treated in our onsite veterinary hospital.

Birds eye view of a bear sanctuary enclosure with a large outdoor pool and climbing structures surrounded by lush mountains and trees.
A sun bear pops its head and front paws over an orange hammock that's hanging from a tree in the enclosure of their sanctaury.
Two vets, a young caucasian woman and a young Vietnamese woman stand either side of an anethetised moon bear, checking its eyes during a health check.
Three moon bears float peacefully in an outside pool at sanctuary looking very chilled and relaxed.

The bear houses connect to large outdoor enclosures, designed to promote natural behaviours like climbing, swimming and foraging, while our cub house supports the healthy development of young bears rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking.

Four moon bears relaxing on a large log climbing structure outside at sanctuary, one is stood up at the end, another is sitting on the other end and two are lying down in the middle on a platform on a grassy encllosure.
A very playful sun bear hangs from a log at sanctuary with its back legs up in the air as if it's swinging from the branch.
Two moon bears play on a high structure in the enclosure of their sanctaury. One is on top of the other, they both look very happy and like they are having a great time rolling around together.
Asiatic black bear resting its paws on a wooden ledge in a natural, forested sanctuary setting.

Quick facts about Tam Dao sanctuary

  • Located in Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam
  • Home to moon bears, sun bears, and rescued cubs
  • 6 bear houses and over 30% of the land dedicated to outdoor enclosures
  • State-of-the-art surgical and medical facilities
  • Custom-built cub house with 7 outdoor enclosures
  •  70,000 litres of wastewater cleaned and reused daily
  • Around 90 staff: vets, bear managers, gardeners, admin, and more
  • Dedicated space for rescued sun bears
A moon bear sits high up on a structure at sanctaury, broadly smiling with trees in the background
A group of young Vietnamese school children in red tshirts work busily in a garden, in the foreground, one is watering plants and another is crouched down and planting herbs.
Veterinarian performs dental examination on a bear, inspecting its mouth under bright surgical light in a clinic setting.
Three women and two men from Vietnam dressed in Animals Asia sweatshirts smile and pose for the camera as they pull a cart through the sanctuary they work in.

Creating change beyond the sanctuary

While the sanctuary itself isn’t usually open to the public, we offer guided tours for small groups twice a month. Visitors learn about bear welfare, see the bears thriving in natural spaces, and leave with a renewed sense of compassion.

Children and adults plant young green plants in a community garden during an outdoor environmental event.
Two rescued sun bears play together on a hammock in the grassy enclosure of their sanctaury, looking happy and confident.
A panoramic, birds-eye view of a bear sanctuary surrounded by lush mountains as a mist settles in the background.
Two Asiatic black bears relax together in a metal tub, enjoying the sunlight at a sanctuary.

Our team also runs workshops and outreach sessions with schools and universities, inspiring the next generation to value animals and the environment. These efforts are helping shift public attitudes and create lasting change across Vietnam.

 

Meet David

Rescued sun bear David overcame cruelty and a leg amputation. Today, he thrives with love, care and lifelong friendships at our sanctuary in Tam Dao.

Read David's story