Exploring Vietnam’s bat species through a researcher’s journey
Prof. Dr. and senior researcher Vu Dinh Thong, born in 1975, currently works at the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources. He graduated from Hanoi National University of Education in 1998 and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Tuebingen, Germany, in 2011. He was recognized and appointed as a professor in 2022. Professor Thong has authored and co-authored 122 scientific papers, three monographs, and one reference book. In addition to research, he teaches at various universities across Vietnam and has supervised many graduate students and Ph.D. candidates in biodiversity research and conservation
Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong (first from the right) with Dr. Hoang Trung Thanh (a lecturer from the University of Natural Sciences (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) and Dr. Nguyen Van Viet (a lecturer from Hai Duong University) in bat research and field surveys at Cat Ba National Park
From a young student to a leading bat expert
During his early years at Hanoi National University of Education, Vu Dinh Thong was captivated by the lectures of Assc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Viet, an expert in mammal research. Prof. Viet explained to his students the value and potential of studying and conserving wildlife worldwide, particularly in Vietnam. Through his lectures, students came to understand that while many mammal species had long been the focus of research, Vietnam lacked specialists dedicated to studying bats. This realization sparked curiosity in the young student and ignited his desire to pursue research on these fascinating creatures.
His decision was not merely a random choice but rather the beginning of a challenging yet immensely rewarding journey. After graduating, he began working at the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources. As a research intern, he participated in numerous biodiversity surveys as part of a collaboration between the Institute and Frontier-Vietnam. Throughout his career—from his early steps in the field to becoming a recognized expert—he received invaluable support from senior scientists at the Institute. Many esteemed mentors, such as the late Professor Cao Van Sung, Professor Dang Huy Huynh, the late Dr. Huynh Thi Kim Hoi, and Master Pham Duc Tien, as well as colleagues from various countries, provided guidance and encouragement. One of his most memorable experiences was being among the first Vietnamese researchers, along with Master Pham Duc Tien, to test the harp trap—an advanced bat research tool—donated by the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada, in 1998. These early fieldwork experiences played a crucial role in nurturing his passion for bat research.
A major turning point in the research career of Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong came in 2001 when he won an award from the BP Conservation Programme (now the Conservation Leadership Programme) for his bat conservation research project in Bach Ma National Park. The implementation process and outcomes of the project left a significant impression on both experts and the public interested in biodiversity conservation, earning recognition as one of the program’s exemplary projects. This success marked a significant milestone for him and his colleagues in bat conservation research in Vietnam and biodiversity conservation in general. It also opened up numerous collaboration opportunities with international experts and organizations in the field of bat research. Furthermore, the award was widely covered by BBC and Vietnam Television, attracting substantial attention from the scientific community toward bat research and conservation. Today, Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong and his colleagues, both in Vietnam and abroad, have been gradually advancing in-depth studies on bat species in Vietnam and several countries across Southeast Asia.
Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong discusses research plans with Dr. Juliana Senawi (Malaysia) and Dr. Sigit Wiantoro (Indonesia)
Previously, due to research limitations, the number of recorded bat species in Vietnam was relatively low. According to the first comprehensive summary of Vietnam’s mammal fauna in 1994 by Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh and colleagues, only 65 bat species had been documented in the country. However, since 1998, thanks to the research efforts of Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong and his colleagues, the number of recorded bat species has doubled, and many new discoveries are expected to be published in the near future.
Marks of success
Since 2006, Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong has published research findings with new records on bat species in Vietnam and several Southeast Asian countries in the prestigious international journal Acta Chiropterologica. This was just one of his initial results, alongside previous and subsequent research, contributing to a broader understanding of species composition, distribution characteristics, behavior, and various aspects related to the diversity and value of Vietnam’s bat fauna.
Many species, species complexes, and species groups that were previously misclassified due to a lack of information or data have been reclassified by Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong and his colleagues based on combined studies of morphology, molecular genetics, and ultrasonic calls. Notably, the Griffin’s leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros griffini) was newly discovered for science, and the Ha Long leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros alongensis) was identified as endemic to Vietnam with two subspecies (Hipposideros alongensis alongensis and Hipposideros alongensis sungi). These findings were published in prestigious international journals such as Journal of Mammalogy (Vol. 93, No. 1, February 2012) and Mammal Review (Vol. 42, No. 2, April 2012). In these publications, Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong highlighted critical morphological and genetic differences, ensuring precise and convincing taxonomic classification. Accurate classification not only enhances knowledge of biodiversity but also plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation and management in Vietnam.
The Ha Long leaf-nosed bat and Griffin’s leaf-nosed bat were featured on the covers of Mammal Review (left) and Journal of Mammalogy (right), respectively.
Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong and his colleagues have led numerous research projects exploring different aspects of bat species, enriching scientific knowledge about their diversity and ecological characteristics in Vietnam. The scope of research continues to expand, including famous landscapes with diverse cave systems that serve as bat habitats, such as the Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, Cuc Phuong National Park, and Cat Ba National Park. Initial findings have recorded endemic and rare species in these areas, with many species listed in the IUCN Red List as conservation priorities. Throughout this research, the team has collaborated with domestic and international colleagues to investigate the ecological relationships between bats and emerging zoonotic viruses, including coronaviruses, paving the way for interdisciplinary research that bridges biodiversity conservation with epidemiology and other fields.
Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong (left) and an international colleague from Indonesia study bats in Son Doong Cave, Phong Nha-Ke Bang
Beyond research, Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong has contributed to writing monographs and reference materials for bat-related research and education in Vietnam. One notable work is the book Taxonomy and Ultrasonic Calls of Bats in Vietnam, published in 2022. This book provides in-depth knowledge on bat taxonomy and the fascinating features of their ultrasonic calls, offering readers valuable insights into bat behavior and habitats. It serves as a crucial reference for researchers and students interested in these mammals. By combining theoretical knowledge with data gathered from extensive research, his published books and materials not only support scientific studies but also enrich zoological knowledge for animal lovers.
The monograph Taxonomy and Ultrasonic Calls of Bats in Vietnam, edited by Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong
Discussing his achievements in the bioacoustics research of bats, Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong stated: "This is a highly challenging yet fascinating field." He has participated in both basic and advanced training courses on this specialization at the Harrison Institute (United Kingdom), the University of Tuebingen (Germany), and several other international institutions to gain expertise in the field. Notably, from 2006 to 2011, he pursued and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Tuebingen with a dissertation titled “Taxonomic Study and Ultrasonic Calls of Rhinolophoid Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Vietnam”, becoming the first Vietnamese scholar to obtain a Ph.D. on bats.
According to Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong, Vietnam currently has two species of fruit bats and nearly 120 other bat species that use ultrasonic calls for echolocation in flight and foraging. While his research, along with that of his colleagues, has yielded significant results, it remains in the early stages and requires further investment to expand in scale, scope, and depth. His goal is to establish a comprehensive database of ultrasonic calls of bat species in Vietnam, enabling species identification through acoustic signals, thereby enhancing investigation efforts and supporting monitoring and conservation activities. This research must be conducted with great caution due to the diversity of ultrasonic calls, which vary based on factors such as health, habitat, and spatial conditions.
Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong sets up equipment to record bat ultrasonic calls
Notably, in 2019, Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong was honored with the Spallanzani Award, a prestigious international award presented by the North American Society for Bat Research (NASBR). This award recognizes scientists who have made outstanding contributions to bat research and conservation outside the Americas. Given its highly competitive selection process and strict criteria, some years see no recipients, making the number of awardees very limited. To date, he remains the first and only Vietnamese expert to receive this prestigious honor.
Sharing his thoughts on this recognition, Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong emphasized: “This award is not just a personal acknowledgment but also a reflection of the international scientific community’s recognition of bat conservation research in Vietnam. It not only affirms the value of our research but also opens doors for collaboration and raises awareness about biodiversity conservation in the region.”
Vietnam still holds vast potential for bat research, with each scientific breakthrough leading to new discoveries, from taxonomy to ecology and bioacoustics. Furthermore, studies on bat evolution have significant implications, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the global scientific community increasingly acknowledges that various bat species may serve as reservoirs or intermediate hosts for viruses causing zoonotic diseases.
As a member of the Bat Specialist Group under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thong continues to foster international collaboration through conservation programs and expert networks. Within Vietnam, his research has garnered attention and engagement from scientists across the northern, central, and southern regions. He hopes this network will continue to expand, attracting younger generations and receiving greater support from governmental agencies and the scientific community. The field he passionately pursues still holds many undiscovered aspects, promising significant scientific findings and exciting research outcomes in the future.
Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version
