Digital imprint amidst the vast forest

BPO - At Bu Gia Map National Park, QR codes attached to forest trees are quietly unlocking a treasure trove of vibrant knowledge about the park's rich flora. With just a scan of the code using a phone, visitors can access detailed information about each tree species, from its name and biological characteristics to its uses and distribution. This is not only a way to connect people with nature through technology but also a clear testament to the progress of digital transformation in conservation, education, and ecotourism development.

QR CODE ON FOREST TREES

Mr. Do Truong Giang, Deputy Director of the Center for Propaganda, Tourism and Conservation Rescue, Bu Gia Map National Park, said: “To date, the entire system of heritage trees in Bu Gia Map National Park has been tagged with QR codes. This is not just a simple technical improvement, but also a strategic step in the digital transformation process associated with the development of ecotourism. Through scanning the QR code, tourists can access a rich source of knowledge about each tree species, from its scientific name, biological characteristics, distribution area to its medicinal and cultural values. We expect this to meet the increasingly high and diverse information needs of tourists, especially young people and students. At the same time, this is also a way to bridge the gap between technology and nature, making the forest more accessible to the public. The QR code will be a tool to open the door to knowledge, helping us not only see the forest but also understand and love it more.”

In Bu Gia Map National Park, QR codes attached to tree trunks unlock a treasure trove of vibrant knowledge about the park's rich flora.

By simply scanning the QR code on the tree with their smartphone, visitors can access detailed information about each species, from its name and biological characteristics to its uses and distribution area.

Attaching QR codes to forest trees is also part of the overall modern conservation strategy at Bu Gia Map National Park. Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Bu Gia Map National Park Management Board, stated: “In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution permeating every aspect of life, we recognize that applying information technology to forest protection and biodiversity conservation is an inevitable trend. Implementing QR codes on tree species not only helps tourists easily and quickly access information about forest trees but also contributes to spreading the spirit of preserving natural resources. Instead of monotonous wooden nameplates, tourists can now identify trees, understand their uses, and know their distribution status using only their smartphones.”

In the future, we will continue to improve the data system, expand the QR code to include more tree species, and integrate additional digital content such as audio and video guides. The goal is to transform the forest into a vibrant living museum where everyone can actively learn, understand, and share ecological knowledge.

Deputy Director of Bu Gia Map National Park Management Board, HOANG ANH TUAN

In 2025, the park will continue to expand its activities in digitizing biological data, improving the signage system, publishing a handbook for identifying valuable tree species and medicinal plants in the forest, and developing an interactive information system along ecotourism routes. These are important preparatory steps towards building a modern environmental interpretation model, attracting tourists through hands-on experiences combined with technology.

EVERY CITIZEN IS A GUIDE

“By simply scanning the QR code, I can read all the information from the name and uses to where the tree usually grows. This not only helps me learn on my own but also allows me to share it with family, friends, and even tourists if I have the chance to travel with them,” shared Tran Huyen Trang from Bu Gia Map commune, Bu Gia Map district. From a small action, knowledge about nature becomes more accessible than ever. For young people like Trang, the forest is no longer a strange land but a place to explore, learn, and inspire. With the QR code on the tree trunk, anyone can become a guide for the forest.

Applying QR code technology to community education is also a way to "free" information about forests from the limitations of textbooks. People don't need to memorize scientific names; they can still convey stories about forests by scanning QR codes. From there, knowledge is no longer the exclusive domain of researchers or guides, but becomes shared knowledge, accessible, shared, and disseminated by everyone.

Ms. Huynh Thu Thuy, a tourist from Hung Thuan commune, Trang Bang town, Tay Ninh province, shared: “As someone who frequently travels for experiences, I was truly surprised and delighted to see QR codes attached to the trees in Bu Gia Map National Park. This is a very modern approach, not only helping tourists easily look up information but also creating a sense of initiative and excitement during the exploration process. I think this is a very noteworthy highlight in the current approach to ecotourism, especially useful for students and young people. Integrating technology into nature education like this helps the younger generation access knowledge in a more visual and memorable way. The forest is no longer an abstract concept but becomes an open classroom, each tree trunk is a living lesson, and each trip is an opportunity to learn.”

What is commendable is that young people are becoming the pioneering force. Youth union members, students, and university students on educational tours not only memorize information but also take photos and videos to share on social media. Each post is a way to introduce the forest to the wider community, acting as a guide using technology and their own enthusiasm. According to the plan for 2025, Bu Gia Map National Park will continue to develop its tourism collaborators, strengthen skills training, supplement ecological knowledge, and promote multi-platform communication. The goal is not only to bring information to the people but also to create conditions for each citizen to become a guide of the forest and a part of the conservation process.

In the journey of preserving the forest, if each citizen is a seed of knowledge, then the QR code is the tool to help that seed sprout. And when knowledge becomes a shared strength, the forest will no longer be alone in its journey to protect the land, water, and greenery of the entire border region of the Fatherland. Each QR code attached to a tree trunk is not simply a milestone marking the transformation of Bu Gia Map National Park, but also a bridge bringing knowledge closer to the community. From the exploratory footsteps of tourists to the eager eyes of young people, the forest is not only seen but also understood, connected, and preserved in a more modern way than ever before.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/4/172719/dau-an-so-giua-dai-ngan