USAID Green Annamites Newsletter Issue 06 by Minh Hanh Ta

GREEN ANNAMITES USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT | NEWSLETTER | ISSUE No. 6 | JULY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SEPTEMBER 2019

The disaster response drill helped people consolidate their knowledge and skills in preparation and response to natural disasters and be ready for the 2019 rainy season.

LARGE-SCALE DISASTER RESPONSE DRILL FOR COMMUNITIES IN TAM GIANG-CAU HAI LAGOON

n addition to building the capacity of relevant governmental authorities and community emergency response teams (ERTs) in community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM), the USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project) also enhanced disaster risk reduction (DRR) for other members of the community by holding a comprehensive drill focused on how to respond to floods, heavy rains and subsequent rising sea levels on August 28, 2019 in Vinh Hai commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province. This drill had the proactive participation of nearly 360 people (half of them women, 42 of them

elderly people, nine with disabilities and 100 primary school pupils). Representatives of relevant governmental bodies from provincial to communal levels, and from other four Project communes Quang Phuoc (Quang Dien district), Phong Binh (Phong Dien district), Huong Phong (Huong Tra district) and Thuan An town (Phu Vang district) joined to observe and evaluate the results of the drill. The drill aimed to improve the capacity of government authoritiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the commune Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention-Search and Rescue

to deal with emergencies while raising the awareness of the local people about DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA). This knowledge will help them to minimize human and property damage when a disaster strikes. The drill was also an opportunity for commune members to apply all the knowledge and skills they learned, as well as to promote a prompt response to emergency situations and heighten alertness toward disaster risks. The drill was praised by governmental bodies, and which enabled the five communes learn more about DRR.

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| EDITORIAL

ewsletter No.6 is the last issue of the third implementing year for the USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project). This edition spotlights some remarkable milestones on the expansion of payment for forest environmental services in Quang Nam province (see pages 5-6).

Pages 7-8 highlight some achievements from our terrestrial biodiversity inventory for the Cham Islands, conducted comprehensively by the Project in September. By the end of 2019, several of the Project’s small grants programs were successfully completed and created positive impacts on the community and the environment. These efforts were lauded by authorities as well as local communities. More information on our programmatic impact can be found on pages 9-10 and 18-19.

warning system and new search and rescue equipment. The Project also organized a large-scale drill on disaster risk response and conducted an extensive communication campaign on disaster risk reduction, benefiting 6,000 households in five communes (see page 16-17). The Project continues to enhance rattan, bamboo and medicinal plant value chains in three mountainous districts of Quang Nam (see page 12). We recommended reading the articles on the unique livelihood models supported by the Project in Thua Thien Hue. These efforts feature a small grant to conserve and cultivate Roxburgh fig trees in Phu Loc district, as well as the preservation and expansion of cultivating Ra Du rice – ‘rice to worship God’ of Pa Co ethnicity of A Luoi district (see page 11). We hope that you find the information very useful! Thank you. Best regards, Daniel Lopez Chief of Party

The Project has been working to enhance the capability of five communes and townships in disaster risk reduction in Thua Thien Hue province, in coordination with authorities and local communities. The support included a handover of an early

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MICROFINACE

TECHNICAL SUPPORTS HELP CONNECT MICROFINANCE WITH LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITES NGUYEN THI BICH NGOC | OPERATIONS OFFICER | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

“

Thanks to the training organized by the Project on trusted loans management from VBSP, I learned useful information about the bank’s credit scheme. I had the opportunity to discuss, share my experience about loans management with other SLGs. Now, I can support other people in preparing loan documents more quickly and efficiently. After the training last July, I supported three women who disbursed 150 million VND for their business.

”

Ms. Le Thi Hue | Vice Chairwoman of SLG of Bon Village | Huong Huu commune, Nam Dong district, TT Hue province

Supporting women in accessing information about microfinance such as savings programs, preferential loans, improving capacity of business management as well as introducing sustainable livelihood models are interventions which boost confidence, encourage entrepreneurship and participation in economic activities, thereby enhancing women’s role and benefits in their family and society.

ince April 2019, the USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project), Vietnam Bank for Social Policy (VBSP) and Women’s Union in Quang Nam (QN) and Thua Thien Hue (TT Hue) have partnered to promote women in economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, value chain development and access to finance. This initiative aims to address the economic and development challenges women and vulnerable populations encounter in the Project’s targeted provinces. For example, some women lack access to information or do not possess the confidence to approach preferential VBSP

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credit programs. Additionally, many do not know or have skills to develop a business plan or access markets and value chains of their key products are still incomplete. To address these challenges, the Project’s technical support aims at two main target groups. The first target group made of the management boards of Savings and Loan groups (SLG), which belong to the trusteeship system of VBSP and Women’s Union to improve their capacity on management of trusted loans. The Project also supports marginalized and vulnerable groups, mostly women and ethnic minority people, to

develop their knowledge and skills to improve livelihoods of the family and to access preferential credit loans. To date, the Project has organized 140 trainings on trusted loan management for 3,500 people (58% were female) who are members of SLG management boards; and 43 trainings on agroforestry techniques and business plan development for 1,400 people (85% were women, 45% from ethnic minority groups). The post-training assessment results revealed that more than 95% of participants attained adequate knowledge about the training topics and were able to apply them in practice.

GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSIONS (GESI)

USAID GREEN ANNAMITES EMPOWERS WOMEN AND MARGINALIZED GROUPS PHUNG THI YEN | GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSIONS CONSULTANT | THE USAID GREEN ANNAMTES PROJECT

24% ethnic groups

22,216 people

39%

women

have now participated in economic activities related to biodiversity conservation, greenhouse gas emission reduction and climate change adaptation

he USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project) has done a great deal to empower and boost the economic and social participation of women and marginalized groups in Quang Nam (QN) and Thua Thien Hue (TT Hue) provinces. To date, it undertook 17 initiatives to improve livelihoods of local communities towards enhancing sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction while encouraging the participation and empowerment of women and marginalized groups.

The Project realized that to make a real difference regarding gender equality and social inclusions in the target areas, its management and implementation teams would need to boost their own awareness of these issues. As such, it took steps to ensure all Project officers and main Project partners were educated on gender equality, female empowerment and how to promote the participation of marginalized groups. Consultations with local communities about sustainable forest management and livelihood development are a key component of the Projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach. Forest-dependent people, the poor and ethnic minorities are provided

with opportunities to participate in training courses about sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity. To date, 11,682 people, 48% of which are women and 42% are ethnic people, participated in trainings and then applied what they learned toward sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. By encouraging the empowerment of women, the Project is helping to gradually close the gender gap and to eliminate the misconception that forest protection activities are for men only and to encourage eveybody to get involved in those activities and benefit from their efforts.

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PFES EXPANSION

LE QUOC HUY | PFES SPECIALIST | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT HOANG MINH HANH | COMMUNICATION OFFICER | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

ayment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) is a f inancial mechanism which allows benef iting stakeholders to make payments to the suppliers

of forest environmental services (FES). This policy has been seen as a breakthrough in Vietnam since its implementation in 2011. While the FES concerning the protection and maintenance of water for production and daily use was piloted and implemented later than the other FES1, Quang Nam (QN) has nevertheless been

a pioneer in implementing Payment for FES (PFES) for industrial water on the Central Coast of Vietnam. Right after the Forestry Law and Decree 156/ND-CP came into effect on January 1, 2019, the QN Provincial People’s Committee issued Off icial Dispatch Number 42/UBND-KTN on January 3, followed by Decision

QUANG NAM PIONEERS PAYMENT FOR FOREST ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR MANUFACTURING FACILITIES USING INDUSTRIAL WATER IN CENTRAL VIETNAM

Number 1351/QĐ-UBND on May 10 to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the QN Forest Development and Protection Fund (FPDF) and other relevant enterprises that are using industrial water resources in the province. The Decision mentioned 44 companies which were ratif ied to pay FES for using both surface and underground water in QN for manufacturing. Six enterprises signed the consignee with the provincial FPDF on PFES for surface water use for industrial manufacturing, which took effect on January 1, 2019: Prime Dai Loc Limited Company; Nong Son - Vinacomin Coal and Electricity Joint Stock Company; Quang Nam Tapioca Starch Joint Stock Company; Tung Lam Bio-fuel Joint Stock Company; Quang Nam Rubber One-Member Limited Liability Company and Can Tuyet Limited Company. The remaining 38 companies are those that are using up to 3,000 m3/day of underground water for

Photo: Nong Son Vinacomin Limited Company, one of the f irst enterprises in QN to sign contract of consignee of PFES to QN FPDF.

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The three FES have been implemented included soil protection, restriction of erosion and sedimentation of reservoirs, rivers and streams; provision of spawning grounds, sources of feed and natural seeds, and use of water from forests for aquaculture; and protection of natural landscape and conservation of biodiversity for tourism services

their manufacturing, such as the Heineken Vietnam Brewery Limited Company, the Sun Pepsico Vietnam Limited Company branch in the Central Coast and the An Thinh-QN Limited Company. All 44 enterprises completed the consignation and started PFES in September 2019. The QN FPDF has worked on plans to effectively use the 3.5 billion VND (US$150,000) collected to restore forests, increase incomes for local communities, and reduce illegal poaching and deforestation, in order to protect the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biodiversity and clean water and meet the daily needs of the province. This milestone was achieved with the support and

ENTERPRISES COMPLETED THE CONSIGNATION WITH THE PROVINCIAL FPDF ON PFES FOR SURFACE WATER USE FOR INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING

collaboration of the USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project), as well as the determination of local authorities and the commitment of enterprises. Since 2017, the Project has provided f inancial and technical support to QN province to create the enabling conditions to implement this policy. Importantly, the Project completed the 'Feasibility Study for the Expansion of PFES in QN and Thua Thien Hue' in 2017. The study included concrete information about potential payers, level of payment, procedures of payment and ways to use money f rom industrial manufacturers. The assessment has served as a reference for the two provinces as they worked to f inalize the payment mechanism and fund management and utilization. The Project will continue to provide technical support and closely follow the implementation process in order to provide timely consultation to the provincial FPDF, which aims to ensure eff icient payment procedures, fund management, and utilization of PFES for industrial water.

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TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY SURVEY IN CHAM ISLANDS AND FUNCTIONAL ZONING OF THE CHAM ISLANDS MPA NGUYEN VAN TRI TIN | BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LEAD | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT HOANG MINH HANH | COMMUNICATION OFFICER | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

Data collected from terrestrial biodiversity inventories serves as an important foundation for expanding and upgrading the Cham Islands Marine Protected Area into a nature reserve with the capabilities of managing both marine and terrestrial resources of Cham Islands.

ecognized as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2006, Cham Island is known for its rich marine and terrestrial flora and fauna diversity. Though there has been a lot of research done on the marine biodiversity at this reserve, studies of its terrestrial biodiversity have only been conducted sporadically and on a small scale from 2012 to 2018, without the application of surveys backed by scientific methodologies, leading to no recognition of the surveyed results. In the face of increasing pressures from tourism on the Cham Islands, the Directorate of the Cham Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA) recommended that the USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project)

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conducted a comprehensive terrestrial biodiversity survey of the seven islands of the Cham archipelago and the protection zone of Cham Islands MPA, with the aim of establishing a biodiversity monitoring and evaluation database for species on the islands. Such data will lay a foundation for recommendations on how to enlarge and upgrade the Cham Islands MPA to a nature reserve, which includes the current coverage of Cham Islands MPA and seven islands of Cham archipelago. The Project conducted this biodiversity survey, which included an assessment of the existing biodiversity and ecosystem database of Cham Islands, in order to

make a plan for a biodiversity inventory and threat assessment about the population of terrestrial species in Cham Islands. Subsequently, training was provided by the Project to MPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s officers on biodiversity surveying and inventorying methodologies. Assessment methodologies included interviews, comparison, and geographical area-based surveys along with the use of camera-trapping technology and observation. A system of camera traps has been installed on a large scale for identifying and photographing terrestrial animals like birds and mammals, particularly nocturnal mammals, which are difficult to observe and have diverse activities. The Project worked with MPA

forests and effectiveness of forest-patrolling and biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity in Cham Islands is currently under pressure due to human activities such as harvest of non-timber forest products, infrastructure construction and tourism development. As a result, a number of large and high-value wildlife species and timber trees recorded in the previous surveys have not been found in recent surveys.

Protection zoning proposed by the USAID Green Annamites Project to Cham Islands Marine Protected Area and local authorities.

This Biodiversity Survey and Zoning activity provided updated information on the status of biodiversity, enabling the Cham Islands MPA to efficiently make their conservation plan and cooperate with other organizations to advise and implement awareness-raising activities for both inhabitants and visitors, in order to contribute to conserving and main-

officers to conduct the field survey and draft a final assessment. The April to July 2019 survey showed that Cham Islands have a relatively high forest cover. Natural forests account for 1,642.40 hectares, around 82% of which is special-use forests. The survey also recorded 13 small mammal species, 43 bird species, 51 reptile and amphibian species and 624 florals in the region. Among the recorded species at the Cham Islands MPA are many species listed in the UNCN Red List of Endangered Species (IUCN, 2017) and Vietnam Red List (MoST, 2017), including Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta siamica), Sunda pangolin (Java Manis javanica), Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator), Butterfly lizards (Leiolepis guentherpetersi), Rocky Crab (Gecarcoidea lalandii), Fibraurea tinctoria, Jewel orchid (Ludisia discolour) etc. An endemic snake species called as Oligodon culaochamensis (Cu Lao Cham Snake) was discovered for the first time through the survey. The survey also recorded the existence of 88 butterfly species, one of which

Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator)

Rocky Crab (Gecarcoidea lalandii)

has never been recorded in QN. One species of Papilionidae family is listed in the Annex II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

taining the biodiversity values of these beautiful islands. In the near future, the project will continue to support the Management Board Cham Islands MPA to prepare a dossier of scientific evidences for extending this Marine Protected Area to include seven more islands, as approved and entrusted to the Cham Islands MPA for management by the QN Provincial People's Committee, and to upgrade the enlarged protected area into a nature reserve.

The project also studied and made recommendations for functionally zoning various areas of the Cham Islands into strictly protected zone(s), ecologically rehabilitated zone(s) and administration-tourism-services zone(s) in order to improve the management of special use

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SUPPORT QUANG NAM TO ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONSERVATION PLAN FOR GRAY-SHANKED DOUC LANGUR IN TAM MY TAY COMMUNE, NUI THANH DISTRICT NGUYEN VAN TRI TIN | BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LEAD | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT HOANG MINH HANH | COMMUNICATION OFFICER | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

The grey-shanked douc langur is an observable species in nature, which turns it into targets of illegal wildlife hunting. It is facing the alarming threat of extinction.

he gray-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea) is endemic to Vietnam as listed in the Vietnam Red List (MoST, 2007) and is considered one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25 most endangered primates1. They can easily be observed in the nature and are found in Quang Nam (QN), Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces. In QN, these primates can be found in the Central and Southern regions of the provinces in Nam Tra My, Bac Tra My, Phu Ninh, Nui Thanh, Tien Phuoc, Hiep Duc, Nong Son and Nam Giang, Phuoc Son districts. The largest gray-shanked douc langur popu1

https://khoahoc.tv/cac-loai-vooc-quy-hiem-o-viet-nam-40682

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lation has around 200 individuals living in fragmented forest areas, making their search for food, water and mating extremely difficult. Additionally, the grey-shanked douc langur leaves visible tracks in the forest, as a result they are easily targeted by hunters which has led to a serious decline in its population. As a result, this population faces an extremely high risk of becoming extinct. In the mountainous areas of Hon Do, Hon Ong, Duong Bong and Duong Ban Lau, Dong Co village, Tam My Tay commune, Nui Thanh district, QN province, roughly

50 gray-shanked douc langurs are living in four groups. They live on narrow forest strips located near rocky peaks, on 25 hectares (ha) of forest area that is separated by acacia plantations. Acacia plantations surrounding this area, encompass seven to 10 kilometres of this natural habitat. As acacia leaves are not a food source for gray-shanked douc langurs, primates located in Tam My Tay commune face numerous threats including food shortage, habitat loss, natural disasters, climate change, genetic erosion, hunting, poaching, forest fires, as well as slash-and-burn cultivation.

includes converting planted forests to large-timber forests that help enrich forest resources. These efforts will rehabilitate the habitat of grey-shanked douc langur species, preserve vegetation, and restore biodiversity.

•• The forest area proposed in the plan

'After being assigned the mission, South QN Sub-Forest Protection Department (FPD) in consultation with Nui Thanh District People’s Committee has developed a concrete plan to disseminate information and convince local communities to protect this douc langur’s family. At the same time, as the total area of natural forest in this area is scarce, (we) must develop a conservation plan to gradually connect natural forests and create a habitat for this species', Mr. Phan Tuan, Director of QN FPD stated.

second consultation workshop on development of the conservation plan for the gray-shanked douc langurs in Tam My Tay commune, Nui Thanh district, QN province’. The workshop was chaired by Mr. Le Tri Thanh, Vice Chairman of QN PPC, with other relevant agencies in attendance, including: Nui Thanh District People's Committee, Tam My Tay Commune People's Committee, FPD, governmental and non-governmental organizations, national and international experts working in conservation.

Recognizing that the conservation of gray-shanked douc langurs is an essential and a long-term strategic program requiring the cooperation of all stakeholders, the USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) have been supporting the QN provincial authority to develop a conservation plan to safeguard the grey-shanked douc langurs in Tam My Tay commune.

During the workshop, leaders of all levels and related agencies discussed about the recommendations of the conservation plan, especilally about the three main recommendations:

On July 17, 2019 in Tam Ky City, the Project and the QN Provincial People's Committee (PPC) organized ‘The

•• A total area of around 150 ha has been

proposed for the habitat of grey-shanked douc langurs and biodiversity conservation. This area will help connect the habitats of grey-shanked douc langurs living in four isolated zones. Besides douc langur, initial surveys showed that number of plants and animals with high biodiversity values were also found in this area. Therefore, the strategy also

is a watershed forest which provides water for Dong Nhon irrigation reservoir and many streams, which are ecotourism destinations such as Doc Bieu, Co Lo, and Giang Thom streams. Conserving 150 ha of the natural forest will ensure water resources, prevent erosion and landslides, reduce local floods, regulate climate in the region, and boost ecotourism and economic development in the region.

•• Lastly, the consultations with four

priority villages in the buffer zone: Tu My, Dong Co (now merged into Tu My), Tinh Son and Hamlet No. 1, have shown that local communities actively support the grey-shanked douc langur conservation plan. The local communities are willing to hand over the land areas under slash-and-burn cultivation to restore habitat for the species. However, since the majority of local communities depend on agricultural production for their income, it is necessary to promote alternative livelihoods and promote a long-term vision for ecotourism development, which can also boost the economic development of the district and of the province in general. Other recommendations that were discussed include developing a seedling nursery garden for genetic conservation purpose, establishing a Nature Interpretation Centre, and upgrading forest protection infrastructure and equipment. These activities will help enhance biodiversity conservation and ensure the sustainable development of the province.

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SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

PROMOTING THE CULTIVATION OF MORINDA OFFICINALIS UNDER FOREST CANOPIES AS AN ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD FOR FOREST-DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES IN PHUOC SON LE VIET NHAN | PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR IN QUANG NAM | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT HO THI MINH NGOC | COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

Results have shown that the model of cultivation of Morinda officinalis under canopies was more appropriate and has greater potential than growing on terrace land in Phuoc Son district.

huoc Son is one of the poorest mountainous districts in Quang Nam (QN) with a relatively high poverty rate (45.5% in 2017); that of some communes even exceeded 60%. This is one of the reasons why surrounding local communities are dependent on natural forest resources for their livelihood, which has caused forestland encroachment, wildlife poaching and over-exploiting of natural products. These activities have caused forest loss and degradation, which adversely affect forest areas and threaten biodiversity. Containing a vast area of forest, Phuoc Son has great potential to develop non-timber forest products such as medicinal plants under canopies. Growing medicinal plants under canopies can serve as an alternative revenue source for local people, and contribute to forest

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protection and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, this alternative income-generating activity aligns with Phuoc Son’s social and economic development plan. In recent years, farmers have been encouraged to grow medicinal plants under canopies owing to Decision No. 2950 on August 17, 2016 by the Quang Nam Provincial People’s Committee about 'Mechanism to encourages the conservation and development of medicinal plants in Quang Nam province from 2016 to 2020'. However, the implementation of this initiative faces many obstacles and has not yet achieved its expected impact on local communities and the environment. The USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project) aims to promote sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation through its programmatic

interventions. The Project’s approach supports local communities living in buffer zones of nature reserves (NR) or biodiversity corridors. These efforts will improve the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities through value chain development and reduce their dependence on natural resources to protect forests and biodiversity. Promoting the cultivation of medicinal plants has always been a priority for value chain development by the Project. In August 2018, the Project teamed up with World Vision (WV) to implement the 'Sustainable livelihood with medicinal plants for communities living in Phuoc Song district, Quang Nam province' activity. The aim is to improve the livelihoods of 75 households (about 300 people) living in the buffer zone of Song Thanh NR, in two of the poorest communes of Phuoc Xuan and Phuoc My. The Project and WV designed and implemented various activities to develop a value chain for Morinda officinalis from techniques of propagation, tending, harvesting and preliminary processing to establish common interest groups, increasing market access for their medicinal products in order to increase sustainability for this model and create long-term economic profits for local communities. The Project and WV established five common interest groups with 75 members, organized trainings to equip them with adequate technical knowledge about medicinal cultivation under canopies including nursery establishment,

techniques of seedling tending, planting, caring and preliminary processing of Morinda officinalis. The Project handed over more than 44,000 high quality seedlings to local communities. The communities planted over six hectares (ha) of Morinda officinalis on 10 ha of natural forest land which was allocated by the Commune People’s Committee for community management and livelihood development through the production of non-timber forest products. This also helps raise awareness and responsibility of local communities over their allocated forestland, which contributes to the maintenance of a natural corridor to protect Song Thanh NR. Since previous supports for local communities did not include market linkage to sell their products, they were not confident in participating in those initiatives, which reduced their models’ sustainability. In order To tackle these issues, the Project and WV conducted market research, organized a training-workshop to establish a business development network of medicinal plants, and conducted trainings about local market development for a core group. Additionally, the Project and WV established a support group of 10 core members to provide on-site support for farmer groups on cultivating medicinal plantations, and linkage to other factors of the value chains like points of purchasing, processing and trading of medicinal products. The results from a final workshop organized on August 12, 2019 reflected that the technical trainings successfully equipped the farmer groups with knowledge and techniques of vegetation handling, hole digging, planting, microbiological

‘‘Thanks to the Project 's support, households living up here know about the Morinda officinalis and its economic value. After the trainings and cultivation, our group hopes to grow more of these plants and they grow well, so we will have more income from Morinda officinalis.’’ Mr. Phan Nguyen Thien | Leader of Morinda officinalis cultivating group in Dak Klang | Phuoc Son district, Quang Nam province

fertilizering, tending and extra-planting in accordance to technical requirements. In mid-July 2019, the community’s cultivation of 6.2 ha of Morinda officinalis met the standard density allotment, possessing a survival rate of over 90%, despite prolonged hot weather. The planting area was 1.2 ha more than intended, the farmers had planned to grow only 5 ha. Hitherto, most of the plants grow vigorously, adapting well with local climate. The interest groups operated efficiently and supported each other to plant, tend and protect the planted Morinda officinalis area. The member households were determined with the model, which was articulated by their voluntary share of labor force and microbiological fertilizer throghout the implementation process. Since more than 42% of participants were female, the activity has successfully encouraged the participation of women in economic activities. This heightened their roles within families and communities, as well as promoted gender equality and social inclusion. Besides, with an established nursery and enhanced growing techniques, households can proactively cultivate Morinda officinalis to expand their plan-

ting area or sell the seedlings to earn an extra income. After a year of implementing the activity, knowledge and skills regarding production and market access of the local farmers were significantly improved. The Project has strengthened the capability of 20 local officials from the Agricultural Extension Center, Farmers’ Union, Women’s Union, as well as commune agricultural officials to provide on-site technical support to farmer groups. They are also capable of developing markets for the famer’s groups in the future. Only in two years could this model become an alternative income for people living in Phuoc Xuan and Phuoc My communes, nevertheless ‘this is an appropriate direction; the plant is suitable with local soil and climate conditions. In the future, we will invest in developing it and moving on to the next step, which is market expansion. I believe this new model will be replicated, which will improve and enhance local people’s incomes while promoting local strengths. Local communities will protect forests and the environment while earning a living from medicinal plants’, Mr. Ho Quang Huong, Vice Chairman of Phuoc Son District People’s Committee claimed.

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SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

CREATING MARKET LINKAGES BETWEEN ENTERPRISES AND ROXBURGH FIG FARMERS TO IMPROVE LIVELIHOODS AND REDUCE PRESSURE ON FOREST TRAN VIET DONG | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

In addition to culinary use, Roxburgh fig also possess many medicinal properties and health benefits such as reducing blood fat, stabilizing blood sugar, preventing cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure, etc.

To ensure a sustainable and equitable partnership, joint cooperative agreements were developed among Loc Mai Company and the five cooperative groups to establish clear trading policies. Loc Mai Company has committed to purchasing and consuming all Roxburgh fig fruit products from the member households at a fixed price of 5,000 VND/kilogram (25 cents) of the fresh Roxburgh figs. All cooperation agreements have been signed and validated by local authorities to guarantee effective implementation. After signing the agreement, on average, each household with 5-10 Roxburgh fig trees will have a monthly fixed income of 1.25 to 2.5 million VND (54-110 USD).

he USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project) has partnered with Loc Mai Production, Trading and Services Co., Ltd. (Loc Mai company) to preserve, develop and process Roxburgh fig (Ficus auriculata) products to build sustainable livelihoods for local communities living in the buffer zone of Bach Ma National Park. These efforts will improve the livelihoods of 235 households, reduce pressure on forest resources, and protect Bach Ma National Park’s rich biodiversity. From April 2019 to August 2020, these activities have been implemented in Loc Tri, Loc Binh, Xuan Loc, Loc Hoa communes and Phu Loc town, Phu Loc district in Thua Thien Hue province (TT Hue), with a total budget of 2.25 billion Vietnamese Dong (VND), approximately 96,750 USD.

To strengthen the capability of cooperative group members, Loc Mai Company and the Project organized 12 technical training courses on the development of work plans for the cooperative groups, tending, harvesting, pre-processing and preservation of Roxburgh fig materials as well as techniques of layering and grafting. The training courses provided households with the knowledge needed on the process of fig production in accordance to the company’s targeting international food safety standards such as, ISO 22000 and HACCP. Additionally, Loc Mai Company will gradually transfer the activities of pre-processing raw figs to the cooperative groups to further boost their incomes.

In early Septermber 2019, Loc Mai Company, in cooperation with district and communal authorities and farm households, have selected 75 households to form five cooperative groups that will work to restore Roxburgh fig trees and complete providing of 4,000 Roxburgh fig to expand the cultivated area.

To date, Loc Mai Company has empowered 189 households to participate in ten new cooperative groups to further expand fig material area by more than 18 hectares in the households’ garden and improve the welfare of local communities living in the buffer zone of Bach Ma National Park.

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SUPPORTING ETHNIC MINORITIES IN A LUOI TO CONSERVE TRADITIONAL RA DU RICE HOANG MINH HANH | COMMUNICATION OFFICER | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT NGUYEN THANG | CONSULTANT | CONSULTING AND RESEARCH COMPANY FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND INVESTMENT

embers of ethnic minorities such as Pa Co, Co Tu and Van Kieu residing in the communes of A Luoi, a mountainous district in Thua Thien Hue (TT Hue), are familiar with so-called Ra Du rice, a traditional agricultural product endemic to the region. This scented, sweet-tasting, sticky and typically reddish-white large-grained rice is extremely favored in the market, even though its price is two or three times higher than other varieties of rice, and sometimes costs 70-100.000 VND (3-5USD)/kilogram. Because Ra Du rice requires fertile soil to grow, local farmers only plant one crop of it per year on small plots on their uphill fields or in mixtures with other varieties of local or hybrid rice, which results in seed degeneration. However, the initial research results of the USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project) showed that the Ra Du rice-cultivating area in A Luoi could be expanded to more than 2,700 hectares (ha), which would be 11 times higher than the current area. The research also showed that this rice variety could be produced in accordance with commodity-based and organic procedure-applied methods and can be intercropped on post-harvest acacia plantations. These techniques help to improve the productivity of the rice and to increase the incomes of the habitants. In 2018, the Project, in cooperation with the A Luoi District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, rehabilitated Ra Du rice on a 5-ha pilot plot. After one year of seed improvement, the very positive results of this rehabilitation have garnered enthusiasm from local farmers, who are now excited to participate in planting this variety of rice. This will make it possible to scale up the model. Since April 2019, the Project has launched the activity 'Promoting the production, consumption and trading of Ra Du Rice in association with forest protection and biodiversity conservation in A Luoi district, TT Hue province' to protect the genetic sources of this traditional specialty, increase food security and the incomes of communities in the buffer zone of Saola TT Hue Protected Area. In particular, the Project is facilitating the registration of trademark and geographical indication, helping to design a brand identity for the pure variety of Ra Du rice and helping establish a cooperative to serve as owner of the trademark 'Ra Du Rice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hong Thuy, Pa Co specialty' and as focal point to connect cooperative members with markets. On September 16, 2019, Hong Thuy Agricultural Cooperative was officially established with eight members. Four out of five members

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Ra Du rice cultivation towards commodity production and following organic standards possesses great economic and environmental potential, as well as the potential to improve livelihood for ethnic minorities living in A Luoi district, TT Hue.

of the cooperative management board are female, indicating the proactive participation and growing leadership of women in these new economic models. It is the first time these farmers have been exposed to this voluntary and self-controlled collective economic model, in which they mutually support each other for economic development and to improve the life of their families and community. The cooperative is bringing together members to produce Ra Du rice in a sustainable manner in Hong Thuy commune, and to provide technical assistance and pure varieties of Ra Du rice. Until August 2020, the Project will continue to support Hong Thuy Cooperative to improve the capacity of its members in Ra Du planting, tending, harvesting and preserving the rice and to help them learn skills to assist with the operation and financial management of the cooperative, such as value chain development, marketing, business-planning and market-connecting. This activity will ensure this initiativeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s human resources are strong and that members have sound techniques for creating, maintaining and ensuring the sustainability and permanence of the Ra Du rice model in Hong Thuy. Rehabilitation, conservation and expansion of production for this valuable variety of rice is meaningful because it will not only preserve the traditional cultural values of the ethnic minority but also enhance the livelihoods of local habitants in the buffer zone, thereby reducing the pressures on forest resources. Moreover, the intercropping of Ra Du rice between the crops of acacia species helps to increase land coverage, protect the soil, reduce the erosion and green-house gas emissions.

IMPROVING THE LIVELIHOODS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IN QUANG NAM THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF RATTAN, BAMBOO AND HERBAL PLANT VALUE CHAINS LE BA NGOC | VICE CHAIRMAN | VIETNAM HANDICRAFT EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION HO THI MINH NGOC | COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST | THE USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

•• Develop

and diversify well-known traditional herbal products like Codonopsis pilosula and Ampelopsis cantoniensis etc. by adding value, developing new models and increasing access to markets for these products

•• Provide

vocational training and development of traditional handicraft products made from rattan and bamboo, establish exhibit areas for these products and improve knowledge and skills of local communities on tourism

•• Design and sustainably produce 64

Under this partnership, VietCraft and the Project support the expansion of the raw material area of bamboo, rattan and herbal plants, and the development of value chains for these products, which will contribute to the growth of the handicraft industry of Vietnam.

n September 20, 2019, the USAID Green Annamites Project (the Project) and the Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association (VietCraft) organized the kick-off workshop on promoting the adoption of sustainable livelihoods of ethnic minority groups through value chain development of bamboo, rattan and herbal plants. These efforts aim to improve biodiversity conservation in Quang Nam (QN) province. These activities will be implemented from September 2019-September 2020 in the mountainous districts of Dong Giang, Tay Giang and Nam Giang and possibly conducted in two others areas in Nui Thanh and Phuoc Son. The objective is to significantly boost biodiversity conservation, protect

forests in QN, and enhance the rattan and herbal plant value chains to create income-generating opportunities for forest-dependent communities, particularly ethnic minorities. In order to accomplish the specific objectives such as creating and boost the income of 2,500 people in targeted districts by 20%, mainly women and poor households of the ethnic group of Cu Tu. VietCraft and the Project plan to carry out the following activities:

•• Organize technical training and as-

semble a core team of local trainers to provide support for planting 100 hectares of rattan, as well as protect and harvest 50 hectares of natural rattan under the canopies following sustainable procedures, which can be traceable

rattan and bamboo products based on current market trends, which contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in QN province

•• Develop

a sustainable market for rattan, bamboo and herbal products for various markets: tourism, interior and exterior decoration, establish domestic product-exhibit centers, and promote international market linkages for export

•• Establish a Center for Design and

Exhibit of Sustainable Products in Hoi An in partnership with the Faculty of Design from the Lund University in Sweden. The Center will serve as a destination for art and natural product enthusiasts, and build awareness around the importance of biodiversity conservation

•• Document and maintain the tradi-

tional handicrafts of the Co Tu ethnic group, as well as lesson-learned for scaling up the rattan, bamboo and herbal plant value chains

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COMMUNITY-BASED DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

FACILITY-UPGRADING AND AWARENESS-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR THE COMMUNITIES IN RESPONSE TO NATURAL DISASTERS TRAN VAN TIEM | PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR IN TT HUE | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT HOANG MINH HANH | COMMUNICATION OFFICER | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

Phòng chống và ứng phó chủ động với thiên tai ngay tại cộng đồng là cách tốt nhất nhằm giảm thiểu các thiệt hại về người và của cho các cộng đồng dễ bị tổn thương sống tại khu vực đầm phá của tỉnh Thừa Thiên Huế.

The equipment proved its effectiveness during a large-scale drill at Vinh Hai Commune on August 28, 2019. At the drill, community members learned how to use the early-warning equipment effectively and efficiently in order to make preparations for the flooding and rainy season in terms of human and material resources.

ince October 2018, the USAID Green Annamites Project has supported four communes (Quang Phuc (Quang Dien district), Phong Binh (Phong Dien district), Vinh Hai (Phu Loc district) and Huong Phong (Huong Tra district) and Thuan An townlet (Phu Vang district) in Thua Thien Hue (TT Hue) province to improve their abilities to respond and adapt to natural disasters, within the framework of the activity 'Technical assistance for improving the resilience of five vulnerable communities' (see the Project Newsletter No. 5, pages 17-18).

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The Project held capacity building activities for community leaders and rapid response teams and provided early-warning equipment to the communes to enable them to be more proactive in disaster risk warning and rescue. As shown in the 'Assessment on status-quo and needs for the earlywarning system and equipment at the rapid response teams' conducted by the Project at the end of 2018, the disaster warning systems previously available in these communities were either too simple or old, broken and unusable.

The majority of the communes had radiobroadcasting systems that were only capable of covering between 60 and 80% of their land, which they would combine with the use of the gongs and low-capacity power generators, which are unable to meet demand during power outages. All five communes lack rescue equipment such as medical stretchers, first-aid kits, medical braces and rechargeable flashlights. Most of them still use machetes or hand-held saws. This results in low efficiency in rescue activities and increased risks for the community.

“

We received the equipment from the USAID Green Annamites Project and we are very glad. In the future, the commune People’s Committee will have a plan to handover the equipment to communities; at the same time, we will monitor their use to ensure lasting impact. Mr. Tran Van Huy | Vice Chairman of Phong Binh CPC | Phong Dien district, TT Hue province

”

In order to enable the communes to address these challenges, the USAID Green Annamites Project provided early-warning equipment valued at 1.7 billion Vietnamese Dong to each commune. This included:

••

Early-warning and communication systems (digital wireless radio broadcast system)

••

On-field warning and control systems in case of natural disasters (loudspeakers, high-capacity power generators and flood-warning buoys/markers etc.)

••

Rescue equipment (motor boats, rowing boats, machine saws and first-aid kits etc.) However, equipment alone is not enough. There must also be community participation in disaster-response activities. When everyone in a community, particularly the vulnerable, are aware of the dangers of natural disasters and have a firm understanding about natural disaster prevention and response, that community will be able to together strengthening their resilience. Thus, the project carried out a series of capacity building activities for more than 6,000 households in five vulnerable communes along the coast and Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon after the hand-over of early-warning equipment. The Project used a number of modes of communication to bring information about disaster response to community members, particularly the vulnerable. These modes of communication included:

••

Establishing volunteer groups in each commune/village to provide information and distribute the communication products to each household including wall-hung calendars containing the message of disaster response, leaflets and waterproof bags for keeping the crucial documents

••

Broadcasting bulletins on preparedness for flooding and the rainy season and information on safe shelters in the region

••

Installing panels and large-sized posters on disaster response in public areas like the Commune Peoples Committees, medical centers, community houses and schools etc.;

••

Installing maps of disaster risks to provide information about dangerous areas and directions to safe locations for shelter like Commune Peoples Committees’ offices, clinics, schools, pagodas and churches etc. in case of natural disasters. The Project’s efforts are improving early disaster warning and response systems and enhancing the awareness of 20,000 people from five vulnerable communes in Tam Giang-Cau Hai region in TT Hue Province about resilience and adaptation to natural disasters and climate change. Thanks to these efforts, the communities and local governments are more confident in their ability to respond to floods during the 2019 rainy season and beyond.

“

After two trainings about search – rescue – first-aid and community-based disaster risk management, our commune’s search–rescue and disaster protection team attained more knowledge. Moreover, [the Project] also taught everyone methods of disaster risk protection, so we could reduce damage when a disaster occurs. Mr. Nguyen Viet Cam | Phong Binh commune Red Cross Society | Phong Dien district, TT Hue province

”

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SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

SUSTAINABLE AQUATIC EXPLOITATION COMBINED WITH ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD HELPS PROTECT LANDSCAPE AND CONSERVE BIODIVERISTY IN TAM GIANG-CAU HAI LAGOON HO THI MINH NGOC | COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT HOANG MINH HANH | COMMUNICATION OFFICER | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

Sustainable community-based ecotourism is a promising income generating activity in Tam Giang-Cau hai lagoon region.

overing an area of more than 22,000 hectares, Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon is the largest lagoon system in Southest Asia and boasts a special ecosystem and rich aquatic resources. In recent years, overexploitation, encroachment on water surface and overdischarge from aquacultural ponds have caused the destruction of the landscape and the rapid depletion of aquatic resources. Climate change further increases the frequency of natural disasters, negatively impacting the life and livelihoods of the more than 300,000 people living in Ha Cong, Ngu My Thanh and Cu Lac villages, Quang Loi commune, Quang Dien district, Thua Thien Hue (TT Hue) province. 1 8 / US AID G R E E N A N N A MITES

From November 2018 to September 2019, the USAID Great Annamites Project (the Project) supported the TT Hue Fisheries Association to launch an activity 'Sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources through awareness-raising and capacity-building in management of fishing and aquaculture activities for improving the livelihoods of fishermen in Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon'. The Project and the TT Hue Fisheries Association improved the capacity of more than 300 fishing households for sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources in the lagoon. In order to avoid of over exploitation, protect landscapes and the biodiversity-based aquatic resources, the

Project supported three fisherires sub-associations to develop a specific roadmap to gradually lower the number of fishing gears to government-fixed norms. The operational capacity of the management boards of sub-associations and fishery officals of the Quang Loi Commune People's Committee (CPC) was also strengthened. This sets the basic conditions for the sub-associations to reach a high concensus among their members about the planning of water-surface zoning and the regulations of lagoon management. By the beginning of 2019, all three sub-associations were entrusted by the TT Hue Department of Fisheries and Quang Loi CPC to self-manage the water surface

“

After attending training organized by the Project, our sub-association members know more about sustainable exploitation. Specifically, we have reduced the number of fishing gears and will continue to decrease. We have also increased the mesh size and stocked shrimp and fish in the lagoon. The people involve in these activities very self-consciously. We have collected more than 90% of the fund to support the activities of the patrolling team and will mobilize more. Mr. Nguyen Van Ty | Chairman of Ngu My Thanh Fishery Sub-Association | Quang Loi commune, Quang Dien district, TT Hue province

and grant licenses for aquatic exploitation in their assigned areas. Upon the official assignment of the tasks, the fishing households set up groups/teams, which support each other in production, self-manage operations at the fishing ground, and actively participate in patrolling efforts to protect the water-surface fishing ground. Acknowledging that the community patrol teams, once they come into operation, will initially face difficulties due to a lack of equipment and fishing-ground patrolling techniques, the Project has been proactive in assisting in selecting patrollers, upgrading equipment, holding trainings, and supplying of patrol logs. The mechanism of cooperation between the patrol teams and other concerned divisions and departments has been improved, to ensure smooth communication, enhance the effectiveness of community patrolling. 'Besides management activities of the state, awareness and actions of local people are the keys to improve their livelihoods. Although behavior change is a process that takes a lot of time, resources and determination, but today when I came here, I saw that the Project has somehow done it. I saw in the people the willing to change. It is an advantage that we should promote to maintain the achievements and continue creating positive impacts to your life and the lagoon environment. However, we should overcome the weaknesses, especially the issue of unsustainable exploitation of resources', Ms. Phan Thi Thu Hong, Deputy Head of TT Hue Department of Fisheries shared in the closing ceremony organized on Septemer 19, 2019 in Quang Loi commune.

”

As for the Ngu My Thach, one community-based lagoon ecotourism model was set up to generate increased livelihoods for fishermen in the village. The Project also supported 20 members of the village-based tourism group, half of whom are female, to participate in training courses on community-based tourism skills. It has also supplied necessary equipment like life-jackets and basket boats, and upgraded an exhibit corner. Thanks to the support of the Project and the local government, the community-based tourism group signed an agreement of cooperation with the TT Hue-based Dai Bang Travel Service and the Media Advertising Joint Stock Company on August 22, 2019. The community enterprise partnership provides an opportunity for group members to increase and professionalize their community tourism skills, with the aim of organizing their tourism activities independently. After two months of operation, the group welcomed 15 groups of more than 300 visitors. Each group member earned nearly two million VND. The initial results show that this is a feasible model with much potential for development, and that it should be invested in, developed and expanded in the near future. After nearly one year of implementation, the activity has made significant progress in increasing the locals’ awareness of sustainable aquatic exploitation and protection of aquatic resources in Tam Giang-Cau Hai region. The Project also observed positive signals related to the transformation of traditional livelihood models into others which make fewer impacts on the natural environment, reduce the risks of natural disasters and improve the communities’ resilience to climate change.

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FARMER'S STORY

COMMUNITY BANDS TOGETHER FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES HO THI MINH NGOC | COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST | USAID GREEN ANNAMITES PROJECT

But then, one year ago, we learned that the USAID Green Annamites Project would support Fisheries Associations in Thua Thien Hue, including ours. Finally, we would receive support to address our most pressing challenges. When Project staff first visited, local people were a bit suspicious. However, right after the kick-off workshop that introduced the Project, everybody was eager to join with us, because they saw the Project’s approach could work to help solve the issues we faced. Once we got everyone’s consent, we were able to convince them to maintain sustainable management, monitoring and protecting of our common fishing ground and lagoon resources.

y name is Phan Van Ty and I am 61 years old. I live in Ngu My Thanh village, Quang Loi commune, Quang Dien district. I have been a fisherman for more than 40 years and have served as Chairman of the Ngu My Thanh sub-Fish Association (FA) for more than 10 years. I call myself a child of the Tam Giang lagoon. I was born, grew up, built my career, got married and started my family here. For over 40 years, this lagoon has helped me earn a living so I could provide for myself, my wife and my seven children, who are now all grown up with their own careers. My wife and I live here with 230 other families. Like us, most families here earn their livings through fishing. In earlier times, not as many people relied on fishing to earn their incomes. During these times, lagoon resources were abundant and fishermen earned healthy incomes. But today, too many people exploit resources from the lagoon. Destructive fishing practices have led to the deterioration of aquatic resources, and earning a living from fishing—my community’s main livelihood—has gotten more and more difficult. As a result, 19 households in our village still live in poverty. I have struggled to find a solution to safeguard our livelihoods. The key issue was that local people were mostly unaware of the consequences of overexploitation. However, we lacked the resources to conduct awareness-raising activities and the support to evaluate fishing gear distribution, collect information for lagoon water surface mapping, or consult local communities to reach a consensus of sustainable fisheries. 20 / US AID G R E E N A N N A MITES

The Project and provincial FA gathered with the villagers, and together we reached an agreement on fishing gear mapping, gear utilization regulations, patrolling, and contribution rates for a self-management fund to support patrolling activities. We received a license that authorized us to manage water resources from the provincial Department of Fisheries. With the license, local people were aware of their rights and responsibilities. When they went to the lagoon each day to fish, they were responsible for overseeing lagoon activity and would provide an instant report to the sub-FA when they encountered a violation of the fishing laws. This made my job easier and improved the health of our lagoon. The Project also held trainings about sustainable fisheries. We learned that we must act to protect our livelihoods. As a first step, members of our village reduced the number of destructive long train traps we used to fish, from an average of 80 per household to 60, and vowed to continue reducing this number. Alternatively, they increased the use of fishing nets to catch big fish, leaving the younger fish to thrive. By adding young shrimp and fish to the lagoon, we ensure they have time to breed, reducing the threat of extinction. Another notable thing about the trainings is they attracted a lot of women. This was important because in our local culture, women are usually responsible for making decisions about household spending. After weeks of training, everyone agreed to contribute to a communal fund which will be used to regenerate aquatic resources and fund

patrolling and sub-FA activities. To date, local households have contributed 90% of our target. This is significant, as in the past, I faced many difficulties encouraging them to contribute, as they were not sure about how contributing would benefit them. Now, with funding and community support, we are poised to protect our precious lagoon for years to come. Ngu My Thanh is a scenic little fishing village on the shore of the Tam Giang lagoon. With its picturesque lagoon, mangroves and diverse fisheries, it has great tourism potential. Many years ago, a local program supported us to introduce community-based tourism. However, prior to the Project’s support, tourism activities were poorly coordinated. For example, boat rental is one fruitful source of tourism income, but the boats in the village were not even registered. We lacked the necessary knowledge and skills to advance tourism. Furthermore, we lacked investment, infrastructure was poorly maintained, the services here were very simple and we lacked the resources needed to accommodate more tourists.

organize trainings on tourism services, management, and tour organizing and guiding. These trainings enabled us to better organize tourism operations, with a clearer scheme of benefits and responsibility sharing.

In order to further reduce fishing gears in the lagoon, we had to local communities’ dependence on the limited lagoon resources. Utilizing local strengths, we proposed to strengthen tourism activities as an alternative livelihood and received the support from USAID Green Annamites Project.

In 2019, our village received the support to put murals to put murals on the walls of local houses. Community members also worked together to decorate a street with lanterns. The Project also provided us with basket boats, and taught us how to ride them and show tourists around the lagoon. Local people also contributed ideas and funds to paint the basket boats with an expense of 1 million VND (50 USD)/boat. Volunteers banded together to clean up the village’s common areas, and villagers redecorated their houses so they could offer homestay services. More and more tourists came to Ngu My Thanh and praised the village’s great services and vibrant local culture.

The Project also helped us build a community-based tourism group and

The Project brought us together with Dai Bang Tourism Company, leading to more

tourists, which has brought in an income of about 2 million VND (100 USD) per member of the tourism group. We have devoted five percent of the total revenue from tourism activities to covering the tourism group’s expenses and investing in the village’s tourism infrastructure. Thanks to these tourism and fisheries activities, we have seen so many improvements in Ngu My Thanh. I am so pleased that our members are more united, willing to share, listen and support each other in daily living and economic activities. I could see it clearly that our communities were willing to change yet they did not have a chance. When there was a support, they would surely welcome and willing to make positive changes. Eventually, those changes brought back benefit for us, our families and communities. Now as our understanding and knowledge were expanded, I believe together we will turn Ngu My Thanh into an ecotourism highlight in the near future.

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