Hundreds of fishing gear specimens, ranging from classic to modern, are displayed at the Fishing Gear Museum at Nha Trang University, attracting not only students but also tourists.
Generations of lecturers and students from Nha Trang University have diligently traveled to many remote areas to collect and restore ancient fishing gear that is now lost or rarely seen in Vietnamese fishing, along with modern fishing artifacts, to establish the Fishing Gear Museum under the Institute of Fisheries Science and Technology of the university.
Over 100 rare specimens at the Fishing Gear Museum.
According to the lecturers, since 2007, Nha Trang University has transformed its fishing gear exhibition room into a museum with an area of nearly 500 square meters , adding many artifacts for visiting groups to admire.
A model of the rice fields with fishing gear representing different regions.
According to Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, the museum manager, the specimens are divided into five groups: closed-loop fishing gear, filter fishing gear, trawling gear, fixed-loop fishing gear, trap fishing gear, and longline fishing gear.
Pointing to the bamboo-woven fishing net, Mr. Hung said: "It may look simple, but it took a whole month to create this exact model. This is a common fishing tool in the North used to catch aquatic creatures in shallow water, but now hardly anyone uses it. To obtain this specimen, we had to go all the way to Thai Binh to see the original sample and record the entire fishing process of the local people."
According to Professor Hung, running a museum is about promoting culture, so the challenge lies in the need for extensive research. Some specimens no longer exist, and coupled with the scarcity of source materials, it is very difficult to reproduce them.
Here, you can see a snail trap used to catch octopuses, a compass, a rusty storm lamp, fishing nets, and a Lo Hac boat (a common fishing vessel in Da Nang in the 15th century)... Next to each exhibit, there is a label indicating its name, function, and structure to help viewers understand better.
The model of a trawler vividly recreates the fishing industry.
Teacher Hung said that the most elaborate and time-consuming exhibit at the Fishing Gear Museum is the model of the inland waters, featuring ponds, lakes, and lagoons, each with its own characteristic fishing gear.
"We not only want to recreate the history of fisheries, but also want to affirm our territorial position and sovereignty over the sea and islands , thereby helping students and tourists who come here to learn more and understand the value of the fishing industry," shared Mr. Hung.
A fascinating place for sightseeing and learning.
The types of nets on display
The Fishing Gear Museum is also an interesting place for students, researchers, and tourists to visit and learn about. For subjects that require direct observation, instead of having to go to seaports or areas where fishing gear is found, students can simply visit the museum to observe and learn information firsthand.
This is all the more significant given the need to learn about ancient fishing gear that is no longer commonly used.
Nguyen Quynh Nhu, a business student at Nha Trang University, shared enthusiastically: "Although I don't study anything related to fisheries, I was very impressed when I came here to see the exhibits, especially the LED-lit map of Vietnam placed in the middle of the room."
The students built model ships to add to the museum's collection of artifacts.
Dr. Huynh Le Hong Thai - head of the Department of Shipbuilding Engineering (Faculty of Transport Engineering, Nha Trang University) - said that in addition to scientific research , the museum also educates the younger generation about maritime knowledge.
According to Professor Thai, some of the ship models on display at the museum were created by students and faculty members of the department.
A model of a fishing vessel.
"Building model boats helps students apply theory to practice. From these products, they understand and appreciate the fishing tools of their ancestors even more," said Mr. Thai.
Currently, the Fishing Gear Museum is continuously adding specimens of fishing practices not only of the Kinh people but also of the Cham, Raglai, and other ethnic groups.
Mr. Vo Thien Lang, Vice President of the Vietnam Fisheries Association, commented: "I had the opportunity to visit the Fishing Gear Museum of Nha Trang University. Although they are not professional museum staff, the teachers and students here have created a very valuable and meaningful museum. The museum is a way for students to move from theory to practice regarding the fishing industry."
Tuoitre.vn
Comment (0)