After years of preparation, the idea of building Vietnam’s first natural history museum by scientists at the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations is gradually coming to fruition. The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has approved 3 hectares of land to establish a nursery for the production of specimens for the museum.
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Vietnam is home to many rare species of flora and fauna |
Mr. Vu Tuyen Hoang, President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, stated that there is currently no comprehensive natural history museum in the country, while developed nations have had them for centuries. For Vietnam to develop holistically and catch up with advanced countries, immediate action is required, even if it is somewhat late.
After numerous discussions with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the city’s leaders have decided to allocate approximately 30 hectares in the Vietnamese Ethnic Cultural Park in District 9 for the museum’s construction. Currently, scientists have secured 3 hectares to establish a nursery for producing special plant varieties for the museum, including bamboo, rare plants, and various types of timber.
Mr. Hoang indicated that the Vietnam Natural History Museum will be of a grand scale. Learning from global museum experiences and considering Vietnam’s unique characteristics, the museum will embody both ethnic and modern elements of the 21st century.
It will feature exhibits related to various groups of flora and fauna, microorganisms, the environment, the universe, Earth, continents, and oceans. The specimens, including live samples, will be organized systematically. In addition to visits, the public will also receive education on biodiversity and environmental protection. The museum will also serve as a venue for conferences with experts both domestically and internationally. Students and researchers can come here to access materials and conduct experiments for their research projects.
“The museum will combine educational and scientific research elements, while also helping foreigners gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s natural history“, Mr. Hoang stated.
In the future, hundreds of thousands of specimens will be displayed. Currently, collection efforts are underway, with international partners ready to provide specimens for Vietnam. To prepare for the museum’s establishment, a team of scientific staff and managers is also undergoing training. The construction of the museum will continue over several years, and as each phase is completed, it will open to the public.
At the end of this month, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations will hold a meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to discuss the establishment of the nursery for the museum. Scientists hope that the nursery will be completed within this year, and the museum will officially open in the coming years.
A.T.
