The Western Nghe An biosphere reserve is an area profoundly influenced by a northeast and southwest monsoon.
The topography of the Annamite Range influences circulation of the atmosphere, which creates large climatic differences in this region.
Covering nine mountainous districts including Con Cuông, Anh Sơn, Tương Dương, Quế Phong, Quỳ Châu, Quỳ Hợp, Thanh Chương and Tân Kỳ, its core consists of three nationally protected areas: the Pù Mát National Park,[3] the Pu Huong Nature Reserve, and the Pu Hoat Nature Reserve.
The design of the Biosphere Reserve is based on criteria to perform three functions of internationally Proposed Biosphere Reserves: the development strategy of the country, the commitment of Nghe An provincial People's Committee in implementing the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Agenda 21 national project.
The Biosphere Reserve has a 440.8 km friendship border with Laos People's Democratic Republic.