Korean aid agency backs bamboo project in Vietnam
VIETNAM’S CENTRAL district of Dien Ban, in cooperation with the Korea International Co-operation Agency, has launched a bamboo conservation project that will run from 2017-25.
The vice chairman of Dien Ban People’s Committee, Phan Minh Dung, confirmed the project to the Viet Nam News, last week, saying that it will help conserve and develop a bamboo area of about 1,800 hectares.
Dung said the project also aimed to create a sustainable development livelihood for 15,000 rural Dien Ban residents, with jobs in bamboo crafts and eco-tour service.
The vice chairman said the bamboo conservation project would create a “green dyke’” to protect the banks of many rivers in the district as well as living quarters along river system.
He said the bamboo conservation and craft project would be connected with craft villages including bronze casting in Phuoc Kieu, rice cakes in Phu Chiem, sedge-net weaving in Triem Tay, fish sauce in Ha Quang and fine arts in Dong Khuong along the Thu Bon River in the district.
Dien Ban bamboo is a major material for craft villages in Hoi An, which is a centre for eco-tourism.
Last year, the district also agreed to reserve 2.6 hectares to build the Vietnam-Korea Cultural Exchange Centre with a fund from the Vietnam Veterans Association of Korea in Ha My Dong village near Hoi An city.
