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found. There are also a lot of monkeys
and gibbons.
The second room contains around
60 species of bird. The next is room of
reptiles and amphibians, such as a tor-
toise, a crocodile and some frogs, plus
many strange species that I had never
heard of before.
Leaving the animal rooms, we
moved on to the flora exhibition which
showcases more than twenty thousand
varieties collected since the 1960s.
The room also houses nearly 200 types
of precious wood samples along with
herbal and medicinal plants and roots.
The final room contains over 700
species of insect. While beetles drew
the attention of the boys, the girls loved
the butterflies and a set of folk paintings
created from colourful butterfly wings.
After discovering the world of na-
ture, the children enjoyed some water
games hosted by the museum staff and
some volunteer students. They played
and learned about the important role
of fresh water in our life and how to
preserve our fresh water resources and
the environment.
We then explored the 50 year old
garden which is home to more than
4,000 trees, 30 of which are listed in
the world and Vietnam Red Books. We
saw precious trees from the tropical
rainforest of Nam Cat Tien National
Park in the south as well as trees from
the limestone forest of Phong Nha-Ke
Bang National Park. Trees from the
lowland forest of Yok Don National
Park in the Central Highlands and
those from the mangrover forest of
Can Gio Biosphere Reserve were also
on display.
Besides all this, the jungle garden
also has corners of bamboo and various
types of fruit trees for the birds, storks,
herons and squirrels that live there.
Various kinds of rare and precious herbs
can also be found.
Apart from the natural treasures,
the museum’s garden also contains
evidence of the war against America.
There are several shelter-pits shaped
rather likes the Cu Chi tunnels, which
where built in 1972. There are also
bomb-craters that were made during
the 12 days and nights the Americans
bombed Hanoi. Some of these have
been turned into ponds for lotus and
fish, making the scene peaceful and
romantic.
TRAVEL
A guide explains the exhibits