
Located only 60km north of Hanoi, Vietnam Bear Sanctuary sits within the picturesque Tam Dao National Park. Home to a number of rescued bears, the sanctuary provides a safe and protected space away from poachers and traders. It was created by the organization, Animal Asia. And Vietnam Bear Sanctuary was introduced to protect bears in the country.
Spread over an impressive 3000 square metres, the sanctuary is made up of both outdoor and indoor areas. Space has been designed to replicate the bear’s natural habitat. It has an intention to promote their natural behavior and growth. Including a number of swimming pools, bear houses, structures, and trees.
Vietnam Bear Sanctuary is large enough to house up to 200 rescued bears! They currently host around 180 bears.
In the year 1999, Animal Asia first entered Vietnam and discovered the horrific truth about the way in which bears were being treated in the country. They found that bears in Vietnam were being held in terrible conditions and farmed for their bile. Much like those in China. At this time, Animal Asia found that over 400 bears were being held in barbaric conditions.
Despite the fact that Vietnam Bear Sanctuary is not officially open to the public, tours of the sanctuary can be arranged for small groups on specific dates.
Originated in China, Animal Asia was first introduced in 1998 to protect bears in China from the conditions in which they were being kept. Bears across the country are held on bile farms, where they are being farmed for their bile. A fact not commonly known by many.
It is estimated that there is as many as 10,000 bears being held in such conditions in China alone. And it was later discovered that the farming of almost 1000 bears was also being carried out in Vietnam. As a result, Animal Asia expanded its organization to protect bears in Vietnam.
To date, Animal Asia has successfully rescued over 600 bears across China and Vietnam! All of which have been or are being nursed back to health in one of their impressive bear sanctuaries.
To add to their ongoing mission, Animal Asia also aims to protect animals from abusive treatment across Asia. Animals throughout Asia are subjected to vile treatment. Often in captivity, so-called sanctuaries or safari parks. And the organization is campaigning to make the public aware of such conditions.
Visitors at Vietnam Bear Sanctuary are given an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing support and work being done by the organization to protect bears in Vietnam. A guided tour will allow visitors a chance to meet the staff at Tam Dao Bear Sanctuary and be part of the amazing work being done there.
Vietnam Bear Sanctuary rescues bears from poor conditions in Vietnam throughout the year. As a result of bad treatment, these bears come with varying medical conditions and varying needs.
The sanctuary itself employs experts and veterinarians who are able to treat the bears based on their individual needs. During their time at the sanctuary, bears are cared for and nursed back to health.
As a result of their bad treatment, many of the adult bears who are rescued by the center are brought in with some of the following conditions; Damage to the gall bladder due to the nature of bile extraction, missing limbs as a result of bear traps, damaged teeth from gnawing at cage bars, stunted growth due to malnourishment
Due to the nature in which poachers capture adult bears, often their cubs are found removed from their parents. As a result, the sanctuary also aims to rescue young bears that have been separated from their families.
Following their recovery, the team at Vietnam Bear Sanctuary start the long process of reintroducing them to the wild. Due to the nature of this situation, this can take months and a lot of work. However, bears are often returned to their natural habitat once they have completed a full recovery.
Twice a month, Vietnam Bear Sanctuary opens it’s doors to the public. Tours are organized by the sanctuary and are led by staff as a pledge to educate the public. The team has designed presentations and workshops to inform visitors of their ongoing battle with the farming of bears.
Visitors must contact the centre prior to their arrival in order to arrange a tour. Due to the fact that the sanctuary is only open on specific dates, it is important for this to be done in advance.
To find out more about Animals Asia and their work at Vietnam Bear Sanctuary, visit their website here.
Only 60km north of Hanoi, Vietnam Bear Sanctuary in Tam Dao is a relatively easy drive (especially by motorcycle). From the centre of Hanoi, the journey should take no more than 1.5-2 hours. The drive itself is relatively straight forward.
Roads leading to the sanctuary are main roads and are accessible for motorbikes. Some of these roads are wide and busy. Be sure to keep to the right-hand side of the road to allow cars to pass if needed. However, the final stretch of road is more challenging in terms of road quality. Once the main road has been left, the road winds through the beautiful scenery of Tam Dao National Park toward the sanctuary.
Below we have attached our suggested route for riding a motorbike to Vietnam Bear Sanctuary. We have also pinned a suggested hotel and sights to see.
86B Đ. Trần Phú, Phường 4, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam (appointment only)
Tax Code: 0105306316
International Tour Operator License: 01-2010/2022/TCDL-GP LHQT
15a Ng. 12 Đ. Đặng Thai Mai, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
© 2025 Rentabike Vietnam. This site is subject to copyright. No unauthorised reproduction is permitted.
Engine Type
air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine
Displacement
1255 cc
Bore X Stroke
102.5 mm x 76 mm
Ignition
FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm
Rear Suspension
single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever
Front Brakes
dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers
Rear Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper
Front Tyres
120/70 R19
Rear Tyres
170/60 R17
Wheelbase
1514 mm
Seat Height
850 mm
Ground Clearance
790 mm
Kerb Weight
249 kg
Fuel Capacity
20 litres
Dimensions
2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)
Engine Type
air cooled, OHC, single cylinder
Displacement
149 cc
Bore X Stroke
57.3 mm x 57.8 mm
Ignition
CDI
Fuel System
20 mm piston valve carburettor
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Starter
electric with kick starter backup
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel
Rear Suspension
single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel
Front Brakes
dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc
Rear Brakes
mechanical drum
Front Tyres
90/90 19
Rear Tyres
110/90 17
Wheelbase
1362 mm
Seat Height
825 mm
Ground Clearance
243 mm
Kerb Weight
129 kg
Fuel Capacity
12 litres
Dimensions
2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)
Engine Type
liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke
Displacement
470 cc
Bore X Stroke
67 mm x 66.8 mm
Ignition
PGMI – FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS
Rear Brakes
240 mm disc; ABS
Front Tyres
110/80R19M/C (59H)
Rear Tyres
160/60R17M/C
Wheelbase
1445 mm
Seat Height
830 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
17.7 litres
Dimensions
2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)
Engine Type
single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled
Displacement
286 cc
Bore X Stroke
76 mm x 63 mm
Ignition
Full Transistor Digital
Fuel System
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
43 mm telescopic upside down
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
Rear Brakes
220 mm disc, single piston caliper
Front Tyres
80/100 21
Rear Tyres
120/80 18
Wheelbase
1455 mm
Seat Height
880 mm
Ground Clearance
285 mm
Kerb Weight
142 kg
Fuel Capacity
7.8 litres
Dimensions
2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)