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the natural world, ensuring a future where appetizing authentic Vietnamese dishes to
biodiversity thrives alongside human highlight the host country’s amazing food
societies. To achieve these objectives, culture. Among which were traditional
ASEP 2015 was conducted as a series of favorites such as pho, gou cuon, bun cha,
site studies of many of Vietnam’s most banh xeo, and ca kho to, showcasing the
important national parks, biosphere rich flavors and culinary heritage of
reserves, and surrounding areas to impart Vietnam. As evening turned into night, the
new knowledge and synthesize novel ideas first day of ASEP 2015 ended as all
to balance biodiversity values to socio- participants were dismissed for their
economic development. The specific study accommodations in preparation for the
sites of ASEP 2015 are: next day’s packed itinerary.
On August 4th, the second day of ASEP
(1) Cuc Phuong National Park, the first 2015, participants had embarked on an
protected area in Vietnam, with a terrestrial enriching excursion to Cuc Phuong National
system of evergreen broadleaved tropical Park, renowned as Vietnam's first protected
forest. area and a premier site for biodiversity
(2) Ha Long Bay – World Natural Heritage conservation. Established in 1962, the park
with spectacular marine ecosystem and had spanned 22,408 hectares and was
natural landscape and seascape. located just 120 kilometers southwest of
(3) Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve – Learning Hanoi, boasting a captivating blend of
laboratory for Sustainable development cultural heritage and diverse wildlife. The
(4) Cat Ba National Park (as the core zone theme of biodiversity and human
of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve), an evergreen interaction had taken center stage as
broadleaved tropical forest. participants delved into the intricate
(5) Farming system studied in the context relationship between conservation efforts
of a Project on clean rice production in and socio-economic development. As
Hanoi, supported by JICA. participants traversed the park's pristine
landscapes, , they had gained a deeper
The first day of ASEP 2015 began on appreciation for the intricate web of life
August 3rd as all the participants and that sustained both human communities
accompanying professors and staff arrived and ecosystems. The park's ancient forests,
at Vietnam National University in the teeming with over 2,234 plant species and
Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi. There, the 135 mammal species, including endangered
participants were warmly welcomed to the primates like the Delacour's Langur and
opening ceremony to mark the Grey-shanked Douc Langur, had served as
commencement of ASEP 2015. The ASEP a poignant reminder of the critical need for
2015 opening ceremony at Vietnam biodiversity conservation. Visits to the
National University started at 3.30 pm Endangered Primate Rescue Centre and
local. After the opening ceremony, the Turtle Conservation Centre had further
participants were allowed to take a short underscored the importance of preserving
break with their peers, which allowed them habitat and combating illegal wildlife trade
to socialize with each other while awaiting to safeguard vulnerable species. Moreover,
the continuation of the day’s itinerary. At participants had explored the park's
5.00 pm, ASEP 2015 departed for a long- Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation
awaited dinner reception. For the dinner Program, which aimed to promote positive
reception, Vietnam National University attitudes toward threatened species and
prepared a plethora of unique and equally develop practical techniques for their
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