British Prince gives books to 1.5 million Vietnamese students

Calling for an end to the use of products such as rhino horn in traditional oriental medicine, British Prince William - Duke of Cambridge delivered a message of wildlife protection during his visit to Vietnam from November 16.

British Prince sends rhino protection books to 1.5 million Vietnamese students. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

By giving books on rhino protection to Vietnamese students, Prince William started this meaningful campaign with a walk around the old town and visited some traditional medicine shops, a school and a typical coffee shop in the capital Hanoi.

While walking along Lan Ong Street, where there are many shops selling traditional medicine, the Prince visited one of the shops on this small street to learn more about the medicinal properties of herbs used in traditional medicine.

The Duke met with traditional medicine experts and a number of celebrities, reporters and representatives of non-governmental organizations at a typical Hanoian cafe. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

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

A long-held belief in the medicinal properties of products from rare animals such as tiger bones and rhino horns is being shaken by a growing number of traditional healers who have dismissed the medicinal properties of these products.

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

Here, the Prince read the book "I am a little Rhino" with eight-year-old students in the school library. The Duke talked to the students to find out what they think about protecting wildlife.

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

The British Prince took a souvenir photo with students of Hong Ha Primary School. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Finally, the Duke met with traditional medicine experts and some celebrities, journalists and representatives of NGOs at a typical Hanoian coffee shop. Here, the Duke and everyone discussed the society's attitude towards illegal wildlife products and the actions of each person to achieve changes in action and awareness.

Singer, musician and wildlife activist Thanh Bui said: “I have been to Africa and witnessed the hunting and killing of rhinos, I can only condemn the brutal trade in rhino horns. As a nation, each of us Vietnamese must act immediately to protect rare animals from extinction by not buying or using rhino horns.”/.

According to Vietnam+