RCFEE in collaboration with Hoa Binh province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have established the Research station for Da river watershed forest protection. A botanical garden with 52 local species and 140 valuable woody species from around the country have been build as the base for forest ecological and phenological research. The 354 ha research site also host several research model for: watershed forest protection, soil erosion modeling, and forest structure dynamic. Finding from this research have resulted in improvement of silviculture management practices which are suitable to local bio-climatic condition.

From 2003, JICA have launched the project Rehabilitation of Natural Forest in Degraded Watershed Area in the North of Vietnam (RENFODA). The project aiming at development of techical appropriate and economical affordable measure for natural forest rehabilitation for the Northern part of Vietnam. Core project imlementation area include 21 communes of Da's river watershed. As an JICA partner, RCFEE have actively participated in RENFODA project by providing its expertise on forest management/ silvicultural technique. RCFEE-research station play an importan role by suppling the project with quality seedling for forest plantation and practical training activity.