The main goal of this project is to provide scientific data and improve professional skill for young researchers in developing bat conservation research programs as well as minimizing the transmission risk of zoonostic diseases caused by ectoparasites and viruses between bats and humans and livestocks in Vietnam and Hungary. The specific objectives of the project are to:
- Determine the diversity, distribution, evolution and phylogeny of bat species in each country and related areas;
- Assess the prevalence and epidemiological role of ectoparasites and viruses isolated from bats collected in Vietnam and Hungary;
- Carry out training programs for young researchers in each country on bat conservation research and related fields.

According to the proposed objectives, the project members have conducted different field and laboratory investigations in both countries. The results obtained from these studies have been being published in the form of scientific articles in peer-reviewed international journals that help improve understanding of the diversity and distribution of bats, and their related ectoparasites and viruses as well as the potential health risks of such pathogens between bats - humans - livestock. In addition, the development of sample collections (such as voucher specimens, tissue samples) and related information and the implementation of training programs for young researchers during the project period have not only improved scientific capacity of both institutions but also contributed to maintain the traditional cooperative relationship between the two partners.

- New discoveries on taxonomic systematic, anatomy and evolution of bat species distributed in Vietnam;
- Discoveries and descriptions of new taxa for science, especially novel corronavirus strains related to SARS-CoV1 causing SARS and SARS-CoV2 causing COVID-19) of the genus Betacoronavirus in Vietnam and neighboring countries;
- Building a sample collection (voucher, tissues, fecaces) of Vietnamese bats and their ectoparasites.
- Contributing to training a PhD student for Vietnam

- Publications:
1. Tu, V.T., N.M. Furey, T. Görföl, A. Hassanin, S. Arai, D. Koyabu, B. Douangboubpha, Csorba G. (2023). A Taxonomic Reassessment of Rhinolophus Rex Allen, 1923 and Its Allies (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae). Vertebrate Zoology 73: 545–56. 
2. Chi, T.., Meguro F., Takechi M., Furutera  T., Tu V.T., Higashiyama H., Sohn J.H., Nojiri T., Kimura J., Koyabu D. (2023). Anatomy and Homology of the Caudal Auricular Muscles in Greater Short-Nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx). Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 85(5): 571–77. 
3. Chi, T.C., Tu V.T., Sohn J.H., Kimura J., Koyabu D. (2023). Caudal Auricular Muscle Variations and the Evolution of Echolocation Behavior in Pteropodid Bats.” Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 85, (6): 625–30. 
4. Vidovszky M.Z., Kapitány S., Gellért Á., Harrach B., Görföl T., Boldogh S.A., Kohl C., Wibbelt G., Mühldorfer K., Kemenesi G., Gembu G-C., Hassanin A., Tu V.T., Estók P., Horváth A., Kaján G.L. (2023) Detection and genetic characterization of circoviruses in more than 80 bat species from eight countries on four continents. Veterinary Research Communications 47: 1561–1573. 
5. Hassanin, A., Tu V.T., Pham, P.V., Ngon, L.Q., Chabane, T., Moulin, L., and Wurtzer, S. (2024). Bat Rhinacoviruses related to swine acute diarrhoea syndrome coronavirus evolve under strong host and geographic constraints in China and Vietnam. Viruses 16(7): 1114.
6. Hassanin*, A., Tu*, V.T., Görföl, T., Ngon, L.Q., Pham, P.V., Hang, C.T., Tuan, T.A., Prot, M., Simon, E., Kemenesi, G., et al. (2024). Phylogeography of horseshoe bat sarbecoviruses in Vietnam and neighbouring countries. Implications for the origins of SARS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2. Molecular Ecology 33(18): e17486. (*Contributed equally)
- Patents:
- Products (description...): 01 specimen collection (in alcohol): 52 samples / 52 species of Vietnamese bats and 70 samples / 26 species of their ectoparasites. These voucher specimens are kept at the Department of Remote Sensing Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources.
- Other products: Contributed to the training of a Vietnamese PhD student.

Based on the successes and experience gained from implementing the project, we recommend that superiors create more favorable conditions (such as increasing budget; simplifying acceptance procedures) to maintain and develop effective collaborative projects with partners.