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August 4, 2025
Village Protects Forest – Forest Sustains Village.
In the past, residents of Tap Ninh village mainly lived by farming and fishing. Life was uncertain, and a poor harvest year would bring worry to everyone. However, since the establishment of the Van Long Nature Reserve and with permission from the local authorities to set up the Van Long Tourism Cooperative, small boats have begun carrying visitors to observe langurs, watch birds, and enjoy the natural scenery.

Một vùng đất lặng lẽ nhưng không hề tĩnh lặng

Nằm cách Hà Nội khoảng 82km, khu bảo tồn Vân Long trải rộng trên diện tích hơn 2736 ha, là vùng đất ngập nước lớn nhất vùng đồng bằng Bắc Bộ. Vân Long không có tiếng động cơ ồn ào, cũng không có dòng người tấp nập. Ở đây, bạn chỉ nghe tiếng mái chèo khua nhẹ, tiếng chim gọi nhau giữa không trung, và đâu đó là tiếng lá xào xạc vọng lại từ dãy núi đá vôi kỳ vĩ.

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Being a boatman is not just a job — it has become a new source of livelihood. Every boat trip, every story told about the mountains, forests, birds, and fish, becomes a “means to earn a living” for the locals. Thanks to nature, children can go to school, homes are better maintained, and each family has some stability.

However, there was a time when the environment was affected by illegal wildlife hunting. Langurs became scarce, and birds grew fewer. The whole village gathered and decided: "If nature sustains us, we must protect it." From then on, no one hunted wildlife. Violators are reminded and disciplined, and anyone witnessing illegal activities reports them to the commune authorities. Gia Van Commune also supports the effort by increasing patrols to protect the forest.

Now, visitors return in large numbers, and the birds are plentiful again. Each time a boat passes by a troop of langurs, the boatman says: "Our whole village protects the forest, the water, and the birds… so that future generations will still have stories to tell — and so we can live honorably."

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