Home Page Image

 

 


Past Events

San Francisco Project Introduction Dinner and Reception
Ho Chi Minh City Natural History Museum Corporation (USA), an assistance program of the San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee, is working with the Smithsonian Institution and other world renowned organizations to ensure that the people of Viet Nam have a place to observe and preserve the flora and fauna of the region. The effort is the planning, design and construction of a state of the art natural history museum and botanical garden in Ho Chi Minh City, built to US standards. People and organizations of goodwill are being invited to join us in this unique opportunity which will benefit not only the Viet Nam, one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, but also the scientific, environmental, museum, planning and design communities of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Please come and learn about this project and other good works of the Sister City Committee on May 31. We will salute people and organizations that have contributed to the improvement of the environment and quality of life of the Viet Namese people. The evening promises to be a fun filled, informative and festive occasion complete with entertainment, exhibits, a silent auction and a few surprises

Make this date, it is worthwhile...May 31, 2007

It is no secret that Viet Nam is blossoming economically and socially. During this era of rapid change, it is of timely importance to the Viet Namese people that the country preserves its natural history and environment, for its people, for its visitors, and for future generations.

The San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee, in conjunction with The Ho Chi Minh City Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian Institute, is working to ensure that that the people of Viet Nam have a place to observe the flora and fauna of the region and to recreate by planning, designing and constructing a state of the art natural history museum and botanical garden. People and organizations of goodwill are being invited to join us in this unique opportunity which will benefit not only Viet Nam but also, the museum, planning and design communities of the San Francisco Bay Area.

We invite you to learn more about this project on May 31 when we will not only honor the past but also, recognize those that have worked to preserve or improve the environment in Viet Nam, We also ask you to join with us in order to build an area where rare species of plant life and animals can be observed by families and studied by researchers for the benefit of mankind.

Bridging Two Cultures - May 31, 2007

Honorary Chairs

  • Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr.
  • Honorable Frank M. Jordan

Host Speakers

  • Charles E. Belle
  • Kimberley K. Brandon
  • Mark J. Chandler
  • Glenda A. Dixson
  • Neil Fruman, MD
  • Thuan V. Hoang
  • Conway Jones, Col. (USAF Ret.)
  • Frederick E. Jordan, P.E.
  • Kim T. Ma
  • Michael R. McClintock
  • Hon. Doris Morse
  • Kim D. Nguyen
  • Ruth N. Radzilla
  • George G. Saxton
  • Quinn Tran
  • Principal Speaker
  • Paul M. Taylor, PhD, Director of Asian Cultural History, Smithsonian Institute

Program

  • Cocktails 5:00
  • Dinner 6:30
  • Program 7:30
  • Silent Auction
  • Exhibits

Awards

  • “Preservation of Viet Namese Treasures and Environment”

For Sponsorships, Tickets or more Information:

  • San Francisco – Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Commitee
  • Hon. Doris Morse
  • Kim D. Nguyen
  • Ruth N. Radzilla
  • George G. Saxton
  • Quinn Tran

 

International Conference
In many advanced counties over the world like the U.S., England, Germany, France, Russia, etc., there have existed natural history museums for over a hundred years. These countries have much experience and expertise in the creation of museums of natural history. The museums make significant contributions to local and international development of education, culture and scientific research.

Many precious specimens of Viet Nam have been preserved by big natural history museums in the world. It is believed that the international conference, therefore, would be one of the best solutions to mobilize these museums to return the specimens.

The Viet Namese Government has made a decision to invest in creation of a museum system of natural history of those Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Natural History is a typical one reflecting Southern Provinces. The museum must be world class, modern and attractive one which will develop education program, conduct scientific research and improve the quality of life of the public. And it will be adequate to the leading political-economy City of the country

Reality shows that Ho Chi Minh City by itself has not managed and built the museum of this kind. Organization of the International Conference is a very urgent demand to achieve the following objectives:

  • To officially introduce to the world and affirm that the City is determined to very soon put the project into implementation due to the great importance of the project to development of sustainable economic growth of Viet Nam.
  • To build trust and create direct international relations with professional organizations, museums and funding foundations in order to:
  • Take advantages of every support of non-refundable aids from non-government organizations and other legal sources for the project.
  • Ask for assistance on expertise, staff training.
  • Mobilize international museums to return and exchange collections for the museum.
  • Ask for support of donating equipment and other assistance.

Conference Name: International Conference on Development of Ho Chi Minh City Natural History MuseumProcess of the Conference: Be aware of the importance of the Conference of Development of Ho Chi Minh City Natural History Museum since 2005 and after the local conference in Oct.2006. Science Technology Service and Production Corporation (PTC), therefore, has prepared to organize the Conference by assistance from San Francisco-Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee, Smithsonian Institution and other international organizations.

Early 2006 PTC and San Francisco-Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee have established a non-profit corporation, based out of San Francisco city, with a purpose of raising money for the Ho Chi Minh City Natural History Museum. The corporation has been approved by California Government and is in the process of approval by the Federal Government. The corporation is organizing a fund raising dinner on May 31, 2007 in San Francisco (the US) to introduce the project to potential funders and the US in order to raise money to support a part of expense of the International Conference. Mr.Mark Chester Chandler, Mayor’s office of San Francisco City and a representative from The Smithsonian Institution were Honorable Chairs of the Fund Raising Dinner. Also the corporation will support expenses for a fact-finding trip to the US of a Viet Namese 6-person delegation. The goal of the delegation is work with several big museums of natural history on the International Conference, the museum content, size, master plan and architectural design. Prof.Vo Quy has a discussion with the Director of the Ford Foundation in Viet Nam about the project and has received a promise to support some expenses for the Conference.

With a reference to opinions, a survey done by PTC, of local and international experts and scientists, they all are very interested in and are willing to support in any way as they can and to be involved in the importance of the project.

Conference program:
Purposes: officially introduce and announce the creation of the Ho Chi Minh City Natural History Museum in order to take advantages of every support by the international community.

  1. Opening Ceremony
  2. Welcoming.
  3. Science topics by the local and international: about 35 topics in total but only 15 shall be lectured at the Conference.
  4. Ending the Conference by a representative from Ho Chi Minh City/or Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Associsions (VUSTA).

Other information:

1. Time: Anticipated: 04 days, September 12 – 15, 2007

  • Wed, Sept.12: Opening ceremony and expertise discussion in HCMC.
  • Thurs, Sept.13: Morning, continued and Afternoon, ending and visiting a few museums in HCMC.
  • Fri, Sept.14: make a fieldtrip to and rest at Cat Tien National Park. Sat. Morning, visit the museum site on the way back to HCMC.
  • Sat. Afternoon, Sept.15: make a fieldtrip to Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. Evening, farewell dinner hosted by the City.

2. Venue: Ho Chi Minh City – Conference Hall provided by Saigontourist

3. Participants:
190 in total, comprising of:

  • Government, Ministries, VUSTA: 1
  • Provinces: 40
  • Foreign participants: 15-20
  • Foreign participants working in Viet Nam: 35-50
  • Members of the Museum Board Committee and participants in HCMC: 45
  • Media and broadcast: 10
  • Total expenses are about US $140,600

Organization of Conference

  • Organization: Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations will co-organize the Conference. The Ho Chi Minh City Historical-Cultural Park Company (COLIVAN) and PTC are in charge of implementation of the Conference
  • International Coordinators: Smithsonian Institution, San Francisco-Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee, and Ho Chi Minh City Museum non-profit corporation.
  • Establishment of the Conference Organization Committee

Board Committee:

  • Mr.Nguyen Thanh Tai, Standing Vice Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee and Committee Leader
  • Mr.Vu Tuyen Hoang, President of VUSTA and Committee Vice Leader
  • Mr.Vo Quy, Viet Nam Ecologist Associations, member
  • Mr.Nguyen Huu Tho, General Director of Saigontourist Company, member
  • Mr.Nguyen Thanh Rum, Director of Department of Culture and Information, member
  • Mr.Le Dung, General Director of PTC and member.

Organization Committee

  • Mr.Le Dzung, General Director of PTC, Committee Leader and other seven members.

The Committee is comprised of:

Organizers: In charge of organizing the conference, having standing sub-committee to prepare and solve all matters related to the conference.

Scientists: Based on specific topics to be presented at the conference, each scientist will be responsible to prepare a topic and send it to the organizers at least 40 days prior the conference taking place in order to edit and print it, schedule time.

Secretary and Content Sub-Committee: Leaded by Prof.Le Cong Kiet, under direct guidance by the Organization Committee, send invitations, prepare material, provide information package, follow up the process, collect papers, translate and edit topic papers to submit the Organization Committee and etc.

Logistics Sub-Committee: Leaded by Ms.Hong Thi Ngoc Yen, under direct guidance by the Organization Committee, receive and guide the participants, provide information and materials on the conference, take care services such as hotels, meals, travel, safety, healthcare and finally take the participants to the Airport.

VII. Conference Organization Process:

Before the conference:

  • Conference venue: Ho Chi Minh City, to be determined and arranged by Saigontourist Company. At the immediate use the existing website, www.hochiminhcitymuseum.com, to provide info on the Conference.Identify potential participants, presenters and organizations; send invitations Learn about requirements of participants. Depending on permitted budget funds, make detailed plans with timetable to serve participants upon arrival, during stay and until bringing them back to the airport.
  • Identify number and member of the Conference Chairpersons, and make detailed and clear task and timetable of every member.
  • Identify what type of participants will be charged registration fee and how much.
  • Prepare the conference agenda to distribute to the participants upon their arrival and then taking them back to their hotel.
  • Work with scientists who are members of the Organization Committee in order to:
  • Receive material / papers
  • contents of papers are examines and commented
  • Prepare equipment needed for presentations, vehicles for fieldtrips.
  • Prepare booklet for the conference papers
  • Check presentation material
  • Schedule a specific timetable for each presenter and speech speaker
  • Safety and Healthcare
  • Security arrangement
  • Arrangements with hospitals / doctors
  • Policeman accompanying the delegation to Cat Tien National Park, Can Gio Biosphere Reserve
  • During the conference
  • Arrival and check-in
  • Pick-up participants at the airport, assist them with the check-in
  • Provide participants with an information package (conference program, workshop, fieldtrips, sightseeing tips, info on restaurants and cafes in HCMC and etc)
  • PR and communication
  • Information desk
  • Office in the hotel with the equipment required
  • Presentations: all presentation material should be duly checked

.