Building a Natural and Cultural Museum for people's livelihoods

(Baonghean.vn) – On the afternoon of November 30, 2017, the Vietnam Natural Museum coordinated with the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve to organize the Workshop 'Model of an Open Natural and Cultural Museum in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve'.

Tuong Duong cajuput forest. Photo: TL

The workshop was held in Con Cuong district with the participation of Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trung Minh - General Director of the Vietnam Museum of Nature; Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha - Deputy Director of the Department of Social and Natural Sciences under the Ministry of Science and Technology; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tri - Chairman and General Secretary of the National Committee for the Man and Biosphere Program of Vietnam (MAB Vietnam); Mr. Nguyen Tien Lam - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghe An province; experts and scientists interested in the field of nature conservation; representatives of the Management Board of World Biosphere Reserves (BREs) in Vietnam and leaders of Con Cuong district.

Conference scene. Photo: Cong Kien

As the 6th Biosphere Reserve of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO, the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve has a high biodiversity in terms of flora and fauna, and is also home to the ethnic groups: Thai, Mong, Kho Mu, Kinh, Tho, O Du with unique cultural features.

In order for the values ​​of the Western Nghe An World Biosphere Reserve to be more widely disseminated, along with the improvement of the management apparatus, the construction of an open Museum of Nature and Culture model will support research activities and interpretation, promoting natural and cultural values ​​is really necessary. Physical evidence of nature, people and living environment will be necessary for learning, research, sightseeing and cultural enjoyment.

Experts and scientists visit the exhibition room at Pu Mat National Park Management Board. Photo: Cong Kien

At the workshop, experts affirmed that the Open Nature - Culture Museum model also creates potential for sustainable economic and tourism development, contributes to the livelihoods of local people, raises the sense of responsibility in protecting natural beauty, preserving cultural identity, maintaining security and national defense of ethnic communities living in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Lam - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghe An province gave his opinion on strengthening promotional activities to attract tourists from near and far to explore the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve. Photo: Cong Kien

The workshop had 6 presentations and many discussions, the content focused on providing updated data on typical natural values ​​and unique culture in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve; along with models and ideas for building a new museum that demonstrates the interaction between people, nature and culture.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trung Minh - General Director of the Vietnam Museum of Nature received the discussion opinions of scientists. Photo: Cong Kien

In his concluding remarks at the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Trung Minh - General Director of the Vietnam Museum of Nature accepted the scientists' comments and promised to supplement and complete the topic as soon as possible.

Cong Kien