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Dr. Diep Thi My Hanh, head of the
ecological museum and botanical garden
project in Phu An Village, makes sure
that all visitors respect the area's
inhabitants and do not litter or disturb
the natural surroundings.
For Dr. Hanh, a professor at the HCMC
Natural Science University, Phu An is
more than a project, it is her hometown.
Her dream is to convert Phu An from a
heavily bombed area known as the Iron
Triangle Zone to an eco-friendly Green
Triangle Zone.
She started the project in 1999 and has
since expanded it to include an
ecological museum and botanical garden
with assistance from Binh Duong
Province, Rhone Alps, Pilat Natural
Garden and the HCMC Natural Science
University.
The aim of the project is to research
Vietnamese plants, especially bamboo,
promote responsible tourism and improve
the region's poor soil.
The site of the ecological museum and
botanical garden project in the town of
Thu Dau Mot feels worlds away from the
city. The area is full of lush fields
and street vendors selling produce.
It is best to begin exploring the region
at the museum and the botanical garden
to learn about the bamboo tree and
participate in educational games.
Afterwards, head to the village either
by foot or bike by following a path
located opposite the museum.
The first stop is a banh trang (rice
cracker) factory belonging to
53-year-old Nguyen Thi Thu. Unlike most
banh trang makers who learn the art from
their family, Thu only began making banh
trang six years ago through an
apprenticeship.
The second stop is the rubber and cashew
tree plantation and the third stop is
the site of a U.S. tank wreck from the
war. Holes created by B-52 airplanes can
still be seen on the village's streets.
The next stop is at the village's
temple, which is quiet and brimming with
Vietnamese history and tradition.
Following the path, visitors will
eventually arrive upon Uncle Muoi Them,
a tropical fruit garden growing
grapefruit, mango, banana, coconut and
orchids. The resident landscaper will
share his passion for apricot flowers,
also known as the Lunar New Year flower,
with visitors. Towards the end of the
garden, visitors will board a boat for
an excursion on the Saigon River.
Lastly, visitors will explore the flora
on edges of the Saigon River with a
brief stop at Ba Le's house to learn
about raising cows.
The path is clearly marked with numbers
and arrows to make sure that tourists do
not get lost. Depending on how many
stops one chooses, the tour can last
from one-and-a-half hours to two-hours
and 15 minutes. Tour guides can be
arranged by calling the museum.
Julie Logel, a volunteer from France,
came to Vietnam to write a report on
ecotourism development in Thanh Hoa
Province for a French N.G.O. After she
completed her project, she was invited
by Dr. Hanh to stay at Phu An Village.
Logel said that tourists are usually
taken to crowded sites, but that is not
the case at Phu An Village where the
countryside is peaceful.
The Bamboo Ecomuseum and the Botanic
Garden is located at No.124, 744 Street,
Phu An Village, Ben Cat District, Binh
Duong Province, tel: (084) 0650 580 717,
email: mhg@hcm.vnn.vn, website:
www.ecobambou-phuan.org.
Source : SGT |
