An experience in green forest

After being instructed by officials from the provincial Management Board for Protection and Special-Use Forests on how to identify chestnuts by their appearance and being given gloves and rattan baskets for the nuts, the children began their special “adventure.”

Nguyễn Giáng Thủy Tiên, 15 years old (Điện Biên Phủ ward), was participating in a forest activity for the first time with her family. Tiên excitedly followed the Management Board officials to find the chestnut trees. Some were ancient trees, several people wide, casting cool shade. Under the soft, damp carpet of leaves, naturally fallen chestnuts were mixed among the dry leaves, creating a small “treasure.” The Management Board officials pointed out and guided the children to find the newly fallen chestnuts on top of the leaves.

The task seemed easy but wasn’t. Because chestnuts have a thick, spiky shell, fingers, even with gloves, had to carefully navigate the sharp spines to get the “spoils.” Soon, everyone’s basket was heavy. Afterward, the children washed the chestnuts themselves, gathered firewood, started a fire, and boiled the chestnuts right at the gathering area prepared by the Management Board.

Holding the hot chestnuts she had gathered and boiled herself, Tiên shared: “The chestnuts are nutty, delicious, I really like them! But I liked the experience of gathering them even more. Thanks to this, I now know what a chestnut tree looks like, and the chestnut’s thick, spiky shell is really special.”

Taking advantage of the weekend, Bùi Thị Ngân (Điện Biên Phủ ward) also brought her son to experience chestnut gathering. Accompanying her son in every activity, Ngân remarked: “This activity is very suitable for young children. After a week of studying, my son can relax in the fresh, cool, open air. Away from books, TV, and phones, he immerses himself in nature, finding, gathering, and boiling chestnuts, then enjoying the fruits of his labor. This is a fun, worthwhile, and meaningful experience.”

A forest protection education strategy

The chestnut gathering activity is part of a new experience program being piloted by the provincial Management Board for Protection and Special-Use Forests since early October. Along with chestnut gathering, families also participate in fishing, boating on Pá Khoang lake, and various connecting games.

Nguyễn Thành Trung, Deputy Head of the Department of Conservation Science and Tourism Development under the provincial Management Board for Protection and Special-Use Forests, said this activity aims to exploit the tourism potential of the Mường Phăng special-use forest. The experiences will be organized according to the forest’s characteristic seasons. For example, the chestnut gathering season only runs from October to December; afterward, it’s expected that a cherry blossom viewing experience could be organized. Since its launch, an average of 4-5 families have come for the experience each weekend. The initial feedback from visitors has been very positive, especially from children, because the activity is new and close to nature.

Trung added: “In parallel with this, we are developing a plan to coordinate with schools in the area to implement extracurricular educational activities for students, helping them learn about the forest environment. These activities will include experiences, learning, and small games aimed at fostering knowledge and a love for the forest in students.”

It is known that these are the initial pilot steps to prepare for a project on forest eco-tourism development linked with environmental protection and education. The managers are aiming to roll out more diverse activities in the future. Trần Xuân Thắng, Director of the provincial Management Board for Protection and Special-Use Forests, said: “The project is currently being submitted for approval, proposing types of eco-tourism, resort tourism, and environmental education within the Mường Phăng forest area. The project includes many activities to diversify experiences, promote tourism, cultural exchange, and, more importantly, for people to learn about and participate in forest protection, contributing to spreading the awareness of green living, green tourism, and sustainable forest protection.”

Simple experiences like gathering chestnuts in the forest not only bring joy but also sow a love for nature in the hearts of children and tourists, along with an awareness of protecting the forest starting from the smallest things. From this, the Mường Phăng forest is not only becoming an eco-tourism destination but also a “green school”, a place where every step of the experience is a living lesson in love and responsibility for the forest.