Ho Guom Turtles (Rafetus swinhoei) were from the rescue in November 2008, when the Dong Mo Dam was broken. Photo: Timothy McCormack / ATP / IMC.

According to the latest announcement by the World Union for the Conservation of Tortoirs, Vietnam ranks second after China when four species of the world's 25 most endangered freshwater tortoises. In which, the Sin-hoe (Rafetus swinhoei), also known as Hoan Kiem Turtle, is one of the rarest species in the world, with only one lives in Dong Mo Lake (Son Tay, Hanoi).

Three other species in Vietnam are listed as Mauremys annamensis, Zhou (Cuora zhoui), and Batagur (Batagur affinis). Accordingly, the central turtle is extinct in the wild. Previously, they lived in flooded areas of provinces, such as Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen.

Zhou (Cuora zhoui) box turtles are distributed in the northern mountains of Vietnam, although they have never been found in the wild and their habitat remains a mystery. Batagur (Batagur affinis) turtle is extinct in the great river system of southern Vietnam, but exists in Cambodia and Malaysia.

In addition to these four species, some other species of Vietnam are also in critical condition, including Southern Golden turtle (Cuora picturata); Cuora galbinifrons; Central Cuora bourreti; Cuora cyclornata and Pelochelys cantorii are distributed in large river systems.