British Prince donates books to 1.5 million Vietnamese students.

Calling for an end to the use of products such as rhinoceros horns in traditional Vietnamese medicine, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, delivered a message of wildlife conservation during his visit to Vietnam starting on November 16th.

The British Prince sent books on rhino conservation to 1.5 million Vietnamese students. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

By donating books about rhino conservation to Vietnamese students, Prince William launched this meaningful campaign with a stroll through the Old Quarter, visiting a few traditional medicine shops, schools, and a typical cafe in Hanoi.

While strolling along Lan Ong Street, lined with numerous traditional medicine shops, the Prince visited one of the shops on this small street to learn more about the medicinal properties of the herbs used in traditional herbal remedies.

The Duke met with experts in traditional medicine and several prominent figures, reporters, and representatives of NGOs at a typical Hanoi café. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Although the use of traditional medicine is currently declining, it still plays an important role in the cultural life of the Vietnamese people.

A long-held belief in the medicinal properties of products from rare animals such as tiger bones and rhinoceros horns is being shaken as many traditional healers have dismissed their therapeutic effects.

Prince William also visited Hong Ha Primary School on Lan Ong Street. Most of the students at this school are children of owners of traditional medicine shops on Lan Ong Street. Hong Ha School is one of many schools participating in a nationwide campaign to educate and raise awareness about reducing the demand for rhino horns.

Here, the Prince joined 8-year-old students in reading the book "I Am a Little Rhino" in the school library. The Duke chatted with the children to find out what they thought about wildlife conservation.

This book is one of the initiatives of the partnership between Human Society International and the Government of Vietnam. It has reached 1.5 million Vietnamese students.

The British Prince poses for a commemorative photo with students from Hong Ha Primary School. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Finally, the Duke met with experts in traditional medicine and several prominent figures, journalists, and representatives of NGOs at a typical Hanoi café. There, the Duke and others discussed society's attitudes toward illegally traded wildlife products and individual actions needed to bring about changes in behavior and awareness.

Singer, songwriter, and wildlife activist Thanh Bui stated: “I have been to Africa and witnessed the hunting and killing of rhinos, and I can only condemn the barbaric trade in rhino horns. As a nation, every Vietnamese person must act immediately to protect these rare animals from extinction by not buying or using rhino horns.”

According to Vietnam+