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| Many traditional local dishes have been revived with support from the project |
The project was implemented from October 2025 to September 2026, with funding from the Global Environment Facility through the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP). After one year of implementation, the project achieved positive results in forest resource protection, livelihood improvement, and the promotion of women's roles.
Notably, the project strengthened and completed a native plant nursery covering approximately 750 square meters, where around 14.500 seedlings of various species, including Tarrietia javanica, noni, green ironwood and crape myrtle, were propagated. It also supported the planting and gap-filling of 100 native trees around the traditional communal house (Nha Rong) and in FSC-certified forest areas. These efforts helped establish a local supply of seedlings and gradually expand native tree stands as part of sustainable forest management.
In addition, the project supported the establishment of 10 safe vegetable gardens at women-led households and organized five technical training sessions on vegetable cultivation, soil improvement, and the use of organic fertilizers and biological products for 100 participants among Bru - Van Kieu women. These models have begun to improve household food supplies, reduce living expenses and generate additional income through the sale of surplus vegetables.
In community-based tourism, the project organized a study visit to Hoa Bac Ward in Da Nang City, provided community tourism skills training for 30 participants, trained 20 women in traditional dance, and guided seven women-led households in preparing local dishes. Traditional dances, bamboo pole dancing and local cuisine, including grilled chicken, cassava sticky rice, cham cheo dipping sauce and taro soup…were revived, practiced and introduced at the ‘Colors of the Bru - Van Kieu’ cultural festival…
Speaking at the conference, Ms. Duong Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hue City and Chairwoman of Hue City Women's Union, affirmed that these activities had gradually raised residents' awareness, improved their production skills and strengthened their sense of environmental responsibility. Women have also become more confident in participating in economic and cultural activities and developing community services. The project has further helped connect forest resource conservation, the promotion of cultural identity and livelihood improvement in the local community.
In the future, Hue City Women's Union will work with relevant organizations and local authorities to continue supporting the maintenance of the native plant nursery, expand the safe vegetable garden model and establish market connections for seedlings. It will also gradually develop community tourism experiences centered on local culture, cuisine and everyday life. These efforts aim to strengthen community capacity, enhance women's roles and promote sustainable livelihoods while protecting forests and preserving ethnic cultural identity.