Phan Quoc Dung's life is always associated with tropical forests - Photo: QD
There are probably not many young people who are as passionate about forests as Phan Quoc Dung (29 years old). Dung holds two master's degrees in Europe, specializing in sustainable tropical forest management and forests and rural livelihoods. He has visited more than 20 countries, but the Hanoi boy decided to return to the forests of Vietnam.
Forest is the reason for life
Leading guests to visit the experimental forest of the Forestry University, Dung said that every time he walks in the forest, he feels like he is returning home, so no matter where he goes, he always feels the urge to return to that familiar place.
Dung said he was lucky to have been exposed to the forest since he was a child, so he was nurtured with a beautiful dream that not every child has, which further urged him to seek out the green forests.
The day he put pen to paper to choose his university aspirations, Dung firmly chose forestry, while his friends all chose popular majors. Many friends even dissuaded him, advising him to reconsider because choosing a dynamic major would have more opportunities. But he had no doubts, just determined to find the answer in his own way.
Quoc Dung was the valedictorian of Block A admitted to the Forestry University, so he was known by many teachers and friends. That was also an opportunity for him to expand his relationships to study and practice hard. In his third year of university, Dung was selected to participate in the "International Forestry Student" competition.
The experience from that first trip abroad helped the young man nurture his desire to step out into the big world to learn and gain experience in forest management and protection from developed countries. Once again becoming valedictorian, Dung went to Germany and Denmark for two years with a full scholarship in tropical forest management.
The further he went, the more the young man felt pain when it was no longer the "golden forest, silver sea" as it used to be, but the forest area in Vietnam was increasingly shrinking and destroyed by human hands. Forests were no longer "infinite resources" but very limited, so we had to protect the forest together, which also meant protecting the surrounding living environment.
That was like an order urging him to return to the country when he finished his studies. "Going is to return, I want to protect, preserve and promote the beauty of the forest, first of all to young people so that they can understand and love the green forests more" - Dung confided.
My teacher once said that the forest protectors are none other than those who live near the forest, so instead of thinking about forest protection plans, let's think about the people around, help them increase their livelihoods and income, and they will be the ones to protect the forest.
PHAN QUOC DUNG
Seeds are germinated
Dung started his action by participating in a project to develop the value of bamboo in Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces. Long field trips, eating, staying and living with the people helped him accumulate valuable experience.
Not stopping at mass mobilization and propaganda work to help people understand and raise awareness about forests, the "project officer" found a way to help people develop sustainable livelihoods thanks to forests. So from understanding, people volunteered to protect the forest, which is to protect the living environment around them.
Honestly, at first, when he first went on a long field trip to the mountainous area, Dung was a bit scared! But gradually, the genuine affection of the local people seemed to want to hold him back every day. Then, he was no longer afraid, and Dung went to live with any family like a child in the family. Dung loved the people and they loved him naturally, but each day he loved the cool green forests more and more.
After finishing the project, Phan Quoc Dung accepted an invitation to return to the school to work in the international cooperation department. That place was the "home that nurtured his passion" during his student days, but this time he described it as "working as a desk clerk".
Like a seed being nurtured, the working environment gives him the opportunity to apply practical experience, develop ideas and propose new projects.
At the same time, from cooperative relationships, we will seek more opportunities to contribute to the development of Vietnam's forests as well as projects to raise people's awareness of the need to join hands to preserve and protect forests.
Sharing about his future plans, the 9X guy said he is still working hard every day to pursue his passion in life. Especially trying his best to create an impact in the community, contributing his voice to the cause of preserving and protecting the forest.
"Like the forest development model, at first there will only be a few bare trees, but over the years it will develop into a multi-layered, diverse forest model. I am like a tree in the forest, my job is to provide shade for the young trees below to grow and wait for the day the tree bears fruit to help future generations" - Dung confided.
Sharing stories of the forest and writing books
There is a tendency for many young people to leave the city for the forest because of the hustle and bustle of urban life to be close to nature. Dung boasts that he is "as happy as a fairy because he can travel all year round without spending money".
He believes that young people should keep going, keep daring, and devote themselves to their passion, and they will certainly gain valuable experiences and opportunities.
On each field trip, Dung records many beautiful images and shares interesting stories about Vietnam's forests.
On his personal Facebook page, Dung's sharing has partly inspired many young people and others about the cause of preserving and protecting forests. Besides his main job, he also pursues writing books as a "side job to satisfy his passion for writing" as he calls it.
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