Setting Up Nature Education Centresand Interpretation ProgrammesHa Long Bay –A World HeritageHoang Thi Ngoc Ha and Hguyen Thu HuyenHa Long Eco-Museum,World Nature Project,Ha Long Bay Management Dept,Hoang ThiNgoc HaHguyen Thu HuyenT he presenters for ‘Ha Long Bay – A World Heritage’(full presentation on page 41-58) articulated that HaLong Bay is a world natural heritage, twice recognized assuch by UNESCO. In 1994, it was awarded this statusfor its outstanding aesthetic value, and, again, in 2000for its geological and geomorphological value.Ha Long Bay is a concentration of thousands oflimestone islands. Covering a total area 1553 squarekilometres, it includes 900 named islands. The protectedarea is about 434 square kilometers that covers 775islands. It is bounded by three areas, namely, Ba HamLake, Dau Go Island, and Cong Tay Island. Theseencompass hundreds of sand beaches, beautiful caves,lakes, lagoons and grottos, limestone plains and towers.There is a diversity of marine creatures and eco-systemsof plants and natural life.As the ancient home of the Vietnamese people,there is archaeological evidence of cultural relics in HaLong Bay. Even today, there are fishing communities thathave been living there for many generations, creating atruly unique Ha Long culture. Bearing such extraordinarybiodiversity, this special region is under research andwill be submitted to the UNESCO for the third time forofficial recognition.Ha Long Bay Eco-MuseumIt was asserted by the presenters that Ha Long BayEco-Museum adopts a holistic outlook and has a36 <strong>Making</strong> <strong>Mangrove</strong> Eco-Museums
Ha Long Bay – A World HeritageHoang Thi Ngoc Ha andHguyen Thu Huyen“people-centred” strategy with the purpose of bringingpeople and the environment together. The projectrepresents a new approach aimed at raising communityawareness and responsibility for the living heritage ofHa Long Bay and its environs through the developmentof an effective interpretative tool system. It also aimsto develop sustainable tourism, create more jobs andcontribute to poverty alleviation.In 2000, a feasibility study plan was devised whichdrew much attention from relevant Vietnamese institutionsand local communities. From July 2000 to February2001, with a donation from the UNDP, as well astechnical assistance from the Ministry of Culture andInformation and UNESCO’s National Commission,the feasibility plan was carried out. According to thespeakers, despite difficulties and challenges, itproduced important results that have contributed tothe success of the entire Ha Long Bay Eco-Museumproject.The Ha Long Bay Eco-Museum is essentiallyconceived in two parts. Part 1 consists of the Hubwhich promotes facilities for environmental studies andknowledge of the natural heritage. The facilities includethe interpretation centre, the exhibition room, the studyroom, the data centre and the GIS centre. At the Hub,one finds a playground for children, a botanic garden,an aquarium, and an activity area where there are artand handicrafts workshops.Part 2 of the Ha Long Bay Eco-Museum comprisesOutdoor Themes. Classified as the natural and culturalheritage of the Quang Ninh Province, the museumis officially a national museum with 12 outdoorthemes. These include the Ngoc Ving Retreat, BaiTho Mountain, Bach Dang – a Symbol of Freedom,Me Cung archaeological site, Traditional Boat-building,Coal Mining, Ecology Hotel, Soi Sim Island, Youth inQuang Ninh, Women in Quang Ninh, Children in QuangNinh, Cua Van Floating Cultural Centre.Of these 12 theme projects, the Cua Van FloatingCultural centre was the first to be implemented witha donation from NORAD under the auspices of theNorwegian Embassy. The following was expounded bythe speakers to spotlight on this successful project.Cua Van Floating Cultural CentreThe Centre itself is located in the charming Cua Vanfishing village which is one of the biggest among fourfishing villages on Ha Long Bay. Targeted at the fishermenof the community, the Centre organizes both shorttermand long-term training courses on managementand technical skills for the preservation of tangiblecollections and the living heritage. It was set up topromote awareness-raising activities and to educatethe communities to protect the Ha Long Bay and itsvalues. Through performances, lectures and exhibitions,the Centre transmits the importance of traditionaland contemporary cultural assets of Cua Van.The Centre has carried out its programmes withclear understanding of the ecology and needs of theCua Van environment and living culture. The historicCua Van village has 127 families and 600 people. Thecommunity economy primarily depends on fishing,as well as selling food, fresh water and fuel to touristboats. Before 1998, most of the villagers wereilliterate, but since 1998, floating classrooms have beenestablished for children from grade one to five, with anextra class for learning adults. Each family lives on aboat that is not only a shelter but also a fishing tooland transportation vehicle. The community subscribesto traditional spiritual beliefs such as worshipping theirancestors, village founders, and sea gods. Wheneverthere is a wedding or a traditional festival, the entirevillage would come together to celebrate. The presentersremarked that these are cultural values that the Centreseeks to enhance and preserve.38 <strong>Making</strong> <strong>Mangrove</strong> Eco-Museums<strong>Making</strong> <strong>Mangrove</strong> Eco-Museums 39
Change language