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| Minh Hien conducting a snake awareness presentation for the trekking community. |
From fear to passion
After a search in the kitchen of a household in Huong Tra Town, Minh Hien pinpointed the location of a red-necked keelback snake (commonly known as “student snake” or “fire cobra”). Using a hook with practiced ease, he carefully maneuvered the snake out from behind a cabinet and gently secured it with long tongs before placing it safely into a containment bag.
Relieved that he had both rescued the snake and eased the homeowner’s fear, Hien shared, “I'll release this snake into a secluded forest area. The natural environment is best for them and helps prevent human-wildlife conflicts.”
Few people realize that while the red-necked keelback is a familiar sight in Hue, it carries a potent venom. “Aside from its own venom, this species also accumulates toxins from eating toads. However, they are quite docile, and their venomous fangs are located at the back of the upper jaw, making it difficult for them to inject venom. The best approach when encountering one is to avoid handling or provoking it, as they have no desire to harm humans,” Minh Hien carefully explained.
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Seeing how gently and respectfully Hien handled the snake, it was even more surprising to learn that he once actively killed snakes. When asked what changed him from someone who feared and disliked snakes to a well-known rescuer and advocate for them, he admitted: “Small experiences led to big changes in my mindset. The first time I harmed a snake. The first time I held one in my hands. The first time I kept one and realized my love for them was growing. The first time I lost track of time researching their scientific names, English names, and all the details about them.”
Knowledge and passion reshaped both his perspective and future. Fuelled by his love for snakes, Minh Hien pursued a degree in Biotechnology at the University of Science, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City. Amazingly, his passion for snakes became the bridge that connected him to Snake Identification and First Aid for Snakebites in Vietnam (SIFASV), a massive Facebook community dedicated to snake awareness in Vietnam.
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| Nguyen Minh Phu, a member of SIFASV, shares insights on identifying and classifying venomous and non-venomous snakes. |
Saving lives, protecting snakes
By the end of 2023, Vietnam was home to around 60 species of venomous snakes, with approximately 30,000 snakebite cases reported annually. However, preventative measures and risk mitigation strategies for snakebites remain largely unknown to the public. At the same time, many snakes in Vietnam suffer unnecessary harm, leading to population declines and serious disruptions to the ecological balance. This concern led to the founding of SIFASV (Snake Identification and First Aid for Snakebites in Vietnam) three years ago.
“Alongside co-founders like Nguyen Van Tan, M.Sc., (Insect-Parasite Research Center, Duy Tan University), Nguyen Huy (an electronics engineer passionate about snakes), Pham Minh Hieu (owner of the YouTube channel “Su gia rung xanh”), and Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngat (Cho Ray Hospital), we built SIFASV as a platform to bring snake-related knowledge closer to the public”, Minh Hien explained.
With different strengths, each founding member plays a crucial role in this giant wheel. As for Hien, his deep knowledge of snakes led him to create high-quality educational content, helping people differentiate venomous and non-venomous species and understand proper first-aid responses to snakebites. Additionally, he has illustrated detailed drawings of snake patterns to help avoid misidentifications. These efforts have enabled community members to quickly identify snakes, assist snakebite victims, and provide timely, life-saving guidance.
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| Nguyen Minh Phu, a member of SIFASV, shares insights on identifying and classifying venomous and non-venomous snakes. |
Despite being a relatively young community, SIFASV has reached over 122,000 members, and continues to grow rapidly. Every day, the group handles tens, sometimes hundreds, of inquiries related to snake identification and rescue, providing significant benefits to the community.
A notable case is that of Luong Van Tung, a resident of Van Ho District, Son La Province. After being bitten by a venomous snake, his leg swelled rapidly and turned dark purple. Thanks to SIFASV’s quick identification of the species, a speckled pit viper, and the expert care of medical professionals at Bach Mai Hospital, Tung received timely treatment and survived the ordeal. “I am incredibly grateful to SIFASV, as well as the doctors and nurses at the hospital. Thanks to their support and companionship, I was able to escape the dangerous situation,” he expressed.
Not only Tung, countless other victims have also received prompt identification and assistance, whether through reassurance and proper wound care (for non-venomous bites) or first-aid guidance and urgent hospital referrals (for venomous bites).
In addition to identification and rescue efforts, SIFASV’s core members and passionate young snake enthusiasts across Vietnam also have other meaningful activities such as snake rescue & release, education and training sessions on snakes for the community.
Along with his typical work in snake identification, rescue, and first aid for snakebites, Minh Hien has led various educational seminars to assist the trekking community, who frequently encounter snakes on their trips, in handling snake-related circumstances appropriately. Looking ahead, SIFASV intends to develop a dedicated website that will serve as a complete database for snake identification as well as the most recent research updates. “We hope that with continuously updated content, this website will help more people with the criteria of saving people and protecting snakes,” Minh Hien emphasized.