Exploring Phu An Village one stop at a time

Dr. Diep Thi My Hanh, head of the ecological museum and botanical garden project in Phu An Village, makes sure that all visitors respect the area's inhabitants and do not litter or disturb the natural surroundings.

For Dr. Hanh, a professor at the HCMC Natural Science University, Phu An is more than a project, it is her hometown. Her dream is to convert Phu An from a heavily bombed area known as the Iron Triangle Zone to an eco-friendly Green Triangle Zone.

She started the project in 1999 and has since expanded it to include an ecological museum and botanical garden with assistance from Binh Duong Province, Rhone Alps, Pilat Natural Garden and the HCMC Natural Science University.

The aim of the project is to research Vietnamese plants, especially bamboo, promote responsible tourism and improve the region's poor soil.

The site of the ecological museum and botanical garden project in the town of Thu Dau Mot feels worlds away from the city. The area is full of lush fields and street vendors selling produce.

It is best to begin exploring the region at the museum and the botanical garden to learn about the bamboo tree and participate in educational games. Afterwards, head to the village either by foot or bike by following a path located opposite the museum.

The first stop is a banh trang (rice cracker) factory belonging to 53-year-old Nguyen Thi Thu. Unlike most banh trang makers who learn the art from their family, Thu only began making banh trang six years ago through an apprenticeship.

The second stop is the rubber and cashew tree plantation and the third stop is the site of a U.S. tank wreck from the war. Holes created by B-52 airplanes can still be seen on the village's streets.

The next stop is at the village's temple, which is quiet and brimming with Vietnamese history and tradition.

Following the path, visitors will eventually arrive upon Uncle Muoi Them, a tropical fruit garden growing grapefruit, mango, banana, coconut and orchids. The resident landscaper will share his passion for apricot flowers, also known as the Lunar New Year flower, with visitors. Towards the end of the garden, visitors will board a boat for an excursion on the Saigon River.

Lastly, visitors will explore the flora on edges of the Saigon River with a brief stop at Ba Le's house to learn about raising cows.

The path is clearly marked with numbers and arrows to make sure that tourists do not get lost. Depending on how many stops one chooses, the tour can last from one-and-a-half hours to two-hours and 15 minutes. Tour guides can be arranged by calling the museum.

Julie Logel, a volunteer from France, came to Vietnam to write a report on ecotourism development in Thanh Hoa Province for a French N.G.O. After she completed her project, she was invited by Dr. Hanh to stay at Phu An Village. Logel said that tourists are usually taken to crowded sites, but that is not the case at Phu An Village where the countryside is peaceful.

The Bamboo Ecomuseum and the Botanic Garden is located at No.124, 744 Street, Phu An Village, Ben Cat District, Binh Duong Province, tel: (084) 0650 580 717, email: mhg@hcm.vnn.vn, website: www.ecobambou-phuan.org.