HIGO & TASS Study and Research Project, Cultural Exchange, USSH – VNU

The HIGO – TASS 2015 project lasted two weeks and consisted of two main activities. Firstly, a study tour at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), visits to the University of Public Health, the Central Acupuncture Hospital, and the WHO headquarters. Secondly, a field trip to Sa Pa, researching the medicinal herbs of the Red Dao people at Sapa-Napro Joint Stock Company, and learning about the lives of the indigenous people in Ta Phin village.

Representatives from TASS Company (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) and HIGO Organization (Kumamoto University, Japan) pose for a commemorative photo.

During the first week of the project, the HIGO delegation, with friends from Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, and China, led by Dr. Ishida Satoshi, attended classes on the political and business environment in Vietnam with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Vice Rector of the University, as well as on Vietnamese culture and history with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Deputy Head of the History Department. In addition, the delegation learned about the production and distribution process of medicines in Vietnam. Notably, TASS arranged more in-depth workshops for the delegation at the University of Public Health, the Central Acupuncture Hospital, and the WHO Headquarters.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh, Vice Rector of the University, discussed the political and business environment in Vietnam with the HIGO delegation.

During the field week, TASS arranged a work program for the HIGO delegation atSapa-Napro Joint Stock CompanyLocated in Ta Phin village, 12km from Sapa town, Sapa-Napro is a company formed and developed on the foundation of researching, producing, and marketing traditional medicine of the Red Dao people. The delegation had a discussion with the doctor.Nguyen Ba Nhung- Professional advisor of Sapa-Napro, formerly worked at the Military Hospital; heLy Lao Lo- Director of Sapa-Napro company.

International students conduct fieldwork in Sapa, learning about medicinal plants used by the Red Dao people.

International students directly participate in forest excursions with the Red Dao ethnic minority, learning how to select and harvest medicinal leaves in the natural forest.

In addition, under the responsibility ofDr. Hari Prasad Devkota- Lecturers specializing in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Kumamoto University, Japan, and the HIGO team directly participated in forest excursions with the Red Dao ethnic minority, learning how to select and harvest medicinal leaves in the natural forest; practicing medicinal plant cultivation at the Sapa-Napro experimental garden; and engaging in Q&A sessions and discussions with traditional medicine artisans. Notably, the HIGO team also donated warm winter blankets to needy families in Ta Phin village.

Donating warm winter blankets as a charitable gift to needy families in Ta Phin village.

After two weeks of work, the international students experienced a trip combining academic research and cultural exchange. The program is a prime example of creative tourism, a new trend in global tourism development. It also marks the beginning of a research and development project on health tourism products, currently being proposed for collaboration with the People's Committee of Lao Cai province.