Understanding the awareness and attitudes of the local community living in and around protected areas toward wildlife conservation programs is indispensable in identifying the management programs and proposing long-term strategies for sustainable development (Govind and Jayson, 2021; Mamo, 2015). Local knowledge is highlighted as a valuable data source to developing ecological study method, and informing regional conservation prioritization for highly threatened species (Newton et al., 2008; Turvey et al., 2015). However, existing data on people’s awareness toward wildlife conservation is still poorly understood in Southeast Asia, one of the highest biodiversity regions, and is struggling in illegal wildlife hunting crisis (Gray et al., 2018). Almost nothing is known about the perceptions and attitudes of residents adjacent to Phong Dien Nature Reserve (NR) - one of the most biologically diverse area in the Annamite Mountain range, central Vietnam. This area is among stronghold habitats for globally endangered species such as Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), Giant Muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis), Edwards's Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) (USAID, 2018). However, deforestation is still going on, affecting negatively on the biodiversity of the area, even it has been increasing in recent years (USAID, 2018). Especially, our recent survey showed that illegal hunting still occurs regularly in local communities around Phong Dien NR (Le, 2021). Thus, an intensive survey to understand the current levels of local people’s awareness and implement conservation activities to improve the local community's awareness to conserve wildlife species in Phong Dien NR is crucial and necessary. The project will help managers of the PA to determine future directions of outreach and educational programs in the region.