During the SDG Week, 7-11 November, UNIS Hanoi were very fortunate to have a visiting author and permaculture expert, Henry Herbert, on campus. Herbert is the author of “Wild Medicinal Plants of Central Vietnam”, a English and Vietnamese language book that details 200 wild and medicinal plants found throughout Vietnam. He also runs Đom Đóm Permaculture.

The expert spent three days on campus working with students, families and community members across school divisions. He facilitated hands-on sessions about gardening, harvesting, composting, soil science, plant adaptations, and learning from natural systems. All participants were able to get their hands dirty while learning through creating seed bombs, container gardens, and compost. Everyone inquired into the attributes of plants on campus, and made plans for the community garden spaces based on seasonality and harvest-timing. 

Herbert’s visit has sparked inspiration and love for cultivating plants and finding opportunities to “close the loop” for resources used – as well as fascinating new wonderings around fantastic soil and people's connection to it. UNIS Hanoi community is grateful for this opportunity, and hopes to have him back on campus again soon!