After issueing of Decision of Advisory Group (AG) Establishment, Dr. Bui Hong Long – Director of Institution of Oceanography (IO) called The First Meeting of AG from 10-11 Feb. 2011. Mr Pham Van Thom and Ass. Prof. Vo Si Tuan were Co-chairs of the meeting. Ten AG members, three PSC members and four invited visistors gathered at the Hall of Nui Chua National Park (NCNP) Office for the meeting. Especially, The meeting had the presents of Ms. Bui Thi Anh Van – Vice Director of Ninh Thuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Vice Chairperson of PSC, and Dr. Ampai Harakunarak - Task Manager from UNEP.

   The Meeting aimed to introduce the project objectives and activities to participants, and to get advises from local and outside experts to activities of the project, taking account of development integrated management plan and livelihood alternatives.

   The meeting gained many valuable advices and recommendations related to project activities, especially to sustainable livelihood alternatives. Dr. Nguyen Van Long suggested that sustainable harvesting models for certain natural resources should be developed for ensuring maintenance of livelihoods. Mr Pham Van Hung suggested that building the trademark of the specific products of Ninh Hai, such as sheep, goats, onions, and garlics should be supported by the project. Mr. Huynh Viet Kim suggested that the community-based eco-tourism should be implemented for elaborating the archived results of the previous LMPA and MCD’s programs. Souvenir producing and tourism-user and environmental fee collection are also proposed activities.

   In fieldtrip session, the participants visited the Center of Visitor and Education of NCNP, consulted community at Vinh Hy Bay (tourism private sector), visited the Hang Rai sub-site, the coral reef watching station and lizard culture model at Hon Do (My Hiep, Thanh Hai Commune).

  When delivered her speech, Dr. Ampai Harakunarak expressed her hope that The Ninh Hai CR Project would become a successful demo-site in the region. The project would be significant not only at local level but also at the regional and global levels through the achieved lesson learned.