When the mist begins to disappear, the crew of the heritage ship named “EcoBoat” gets up to prepare for a trip on the green Ha Long Bay to carry out the task of conveying knowledge of environmental protection to those who love this beautiful area, one of the world heritage sites.
Since April 2006, the Ha Long Bay Management Department has coordinated with Fauna & Flora International (FFI) to carry out the environmental education project of EcoBoat with the aim of raising the people’s awareness of environmental protection.
This is a modern and reasonable educational programme with a motto of learning while playing. In less than six months since the first class was organised, experts in the EcoBoat Vietnam Project together with international ecological experts have organized 27 study tours for more than 800 students coming from cities and provinces throughout the country, including training courses for international students.
According to Hoang Ha, a cadre in charge of the training courses, to prepare for a trip, even a day-long trip, the members of the organizing board had to work out a plan a week in advance.
All necessary things, from curriculum to useful utensils such as torches, first-aid kits, blackboards, pens, a hand-held loudspeaker, walkie-talkies, life-jackets, food, and anti-insect medicine must be carefully prepared. Insurance for the students is also taken into account.
To obtain the best results, the teachers must have rich social knowledge. Apart from the main task of teaching, young cadres also work as tourist guides and commentators.
Sometimes they undertake the work of healthcare and rescue, even work as entertainers when there is demand.
Participating in the programme which is fairly comprehensive and covers various fields, such as geographical-geomorphological research, biological diversity, culture and history, general study and skill development, the students are equipped with knowledge of protecting the ecological environment, discovering the formation of caves and grottos and studying the faunal and floral diversity of Ha Long Bay.
Their knowledge of the culture and history of the communities living at sea also improves.
The students also practise skills of co-coordinating the groups and social activities via such activities as study and discussion, sharing experiences, gathering rubbish and working with the fishermen and local organizations.
In addition, they participate in activities including mountaineering, Kayak rowing, a tug-of-war, dancing, singing, water-ball playing and swimming. It is the attractive and creative educational form of learning while playing that has encouraged the students’ zealous participation, contributing to the success of the training course.
David Brown, Director of EcoBoat Project said that this is an advanced model of environmental education which is implemented and applied for the first time in Vietnam.
It is adapted from some models which have been implemented successfully in developed countries, such as the US and New Zealand.
The image of the heritage ship “EcoBoat” with its trips full of laughter and practical social values has become familiar to people in the beautiful city of Ha Long.
The training courses on this boat have
helped them know how to protect their city in the threat of the current
degrading environment.
HANOI - HALONG - HUE - DANANG - HOIAN - MY SON - HOCHIMINH
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