Cat Ba National Park—the intersection of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Natural Heritage site—is not merely a destination, but truly a giant field laboratory amidst the sun-drenched and windswept open sea.
From the lush green of the mangrove forests to the deep expanses of the limestone forests in the Northeast islands, defying long distances to “overcome the sun and defeat the rain,” students from the Faculty of Biology – University of Science (HUS) fully immersed themselves in a scientific learning, research, and nature experience program during their recent 9-day field trip.
🌱 From the lecture hall to the green forest
Amidst the sweltering summer days filled with the buzzing of cicadas, stepping away from the hustle and bustle of the Cat Ba tourist island, over 100 lecturers and students from HUS shouldered their backpacks to embark on a 9-day journey of “study – research – experience.” Their destination: a region boasting a rare convergence of multiple international titles that few places on Earth can match. 🎒✨
This is not merely a sightseeing tour. This is a journey of hands-on learning, a vivid living chronicle of the wild nature around us. From endemic and precious plant species like Kim Giao, Tro Dai, Sen Mat, Lat Hoa, and Vuong Tung… to the tiny insect world that carries a monumental mission in maintaining the circle of life; from the critically endangered, rare primate found nowhere else but on this archipelago—the Cat Ba Langur 🐒—to incredibly fragile and sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, saltwater lakes, and underground caves… All of these serve as invaluable living materials for their graduation theses and scientific research projects. But above all, they are the catalyst that nurtures a profound love for nature within these young scientists. 🔬🦀
💚 “Green Journey”: Learning to know, learning to protect, learning to inspire. > That is the guiding star throughout for generations of HUS students! 🧭
(No matter how harsh the weather is, it cannot stop the passion of youth)
Despite the unpredictable rainy and windy weather, the passion of these “young scientists” never cooled down. This field trip was a perfect blend of academic passion and practical conservation action at a world-class Heritage site. Undeterred by mud or the cumbersome gear—buckets, basins, and insect nets in tow—these students waded through mangrove tidal flats, navigated dense primary forests, and listened intently to lectures in front of majestic Karst caves. The hours spent diligently classifying specimens and peering through microscopes right in the field are a testament to the incredibly serious scientific spirit of HUS students. 🥾🌧️
Beyond just collecting data, the team actively participated in labor to preserve the green of this Heritage site. These “blue shirts” of volunteers worked tirelessly, weeding and preparing the soil to restore the precious medicinal herb garden (home to species like Don Mat Troi, Dau Mat Trang, Xa Den, Sam Cau, Giao Co Lam, Bach Chi Nam…), and planting new saplings for the future right in the heart of Cat Ba National Park’s core zone. 🌱🚜
(The leadership of Cat Ba National Park, teachers, and students join hands to restore the precious medicinal herb garden)
It is these very hands—stained with mud, yet tenderly nurturing and cultivating each green sprout—that not only enhance the vibrant biodiversity of the Cat Ba wilderness but also serve as a powerful pledge from the younger generation to join hands in protecting and promoting the values of this Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site.
During those 9 days in Cat Ba, the Biology students gained far more than just internship grades. They brought home a profound sense of responsibility and a shared dream to “continue the green journey”—for a greener Vietnam, and for a Cat Ba that endures forever.🇻🇳💚
This does not only help the youth truly understand, but it also sends a meaningful message to us all:
“Conservation is not about prohibition; it is about wise management for sustainable development!” 🌿⚖️
(Faculty and students of the Faculty of Biology – University of Science (HUS))
The journey has come to an end; the sweat and forest rains have been traded for invaluable field data and green sprouts left behind in this welcoming land. Cat Ba National Park would like to express our deepest gratitude for the love of nature and the resilient spirit of the teachers and students from the Faculty of Biology (HUS). See you all in the next field seasons!🤝🌻
