Ho Chi Minh City 1 - An enlightening Conference

International Rubber Conference 2015

The National Anthem of Vietnam came on the air. There was absolute silence as everyone in the Conference Hall stood at attention.

On 2^nd November, 2015, my husband and I were in Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, attending the opening ceremony of the International Rubber Research Conference 2015.

After the anthem, Mr Phan Thanh Dung, Director of Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam, gave a Welcoming address. This was followed by Opening addresses by H. E. Dr Ha Cong Tuan (Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development); Mr Nguyen Tien Duc (Deputy Director General, Vietnam Rubber Group), and Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz bin S A Kadir (Secretary General, International Rubber Research Development Board) (IRRDB).

Mr Phan Thanh Dung

H.E. Dr Ha Cong Tuan

Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz

Thereafter, Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz (from Malaysia) chaired the following Keynote addresses: (1) Natural Rubber Producers’ Expectations towards the Research and Development Community by Dr Tran Thi Thuy Hoa, (2) Impact of Latex Harvesting Technologies on Profitability of Rubber Plantations & Smallholdings during Periods of Low Rubber Prices by Dr Sivakumaran A/L Seenivasam, and (3) Nanomatrix and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber by Assoc Prof Dr Kawahara Seiichi.

The IRRDB Young Scientist Awarding Ceremony followed. Ms Mily from Indonesia was awarded the IRRDB Young Scientist Award.

Speakers from various countries then gave their presentations. They spoke on topics related to the growing and processing of rubber. Topics included: (1) Plant Breeding I & II, (2) Biotechnology, (3) Agronomy, (4) Rubber Processing & Waste Treatment, (5) Crop Physiology & Latex Harvesting, (6) Plant Breeding, (7) Rubber Technology & Standardization, ( 8) & (9) Plant Protection, (10) Crop Physiology & Latex Harvesting, (11) Establishment of Carbon Cycle System with Natural Rubber and (12) Socio-economy.

Besides Vietnam, participants came from Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Cameroons, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, France, Myanmar, Cambodia, China and Guatemala (South America).

The last panel session was on “Research & Development in the Rubber Low-price Circumstance”, chaired by Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz. In his concluding remarks, Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz thanked the organising committee (namely Mr Phan Thanh Dung, Dr Nguyen Ngoc Bich, Mr Do Kim Thanh, Mr Phan Dinh Thao, Mr Huynh Huu Hien, Ms Phan Hai Yen, Dr Tong Viet Thinh and Dr Nguyen Anh Nghia), for the well-organised and successful Conference. 

a) Participants and RRIV staff outside the Conference Hall

b) Participants and RRIV staff outside the Conference Hall

c) The writer with Dr Chee Yan Kuan and staff of RRIV

The Conference stretched for three days from 2^nd November to 4^th November. My husband, Dr Chee Yan Kuan, presented his paper “Intergrated Weed Management in Rubber” on Day 2. Day 3 was a field trip to visit a plantation and the Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam (RRIV). Day 4 was for Meeting of the IRRDB Committee of Directors and Chief Executives and Day 5 was for the Meeting of the Board of IRRDB.

Dr Chee Yan Kuan giving his presentation

Speakers of Plant Protection II     Photo: Dr Nguyen Anh Nghia

On Day 3, about 200 participants in 6 buses visited the Phuoc Hoa Rubber Company and Lai Khe Rubber Experimental Station. 

The buses started off at 8 am from different hotels where participants stayed, and arrived at the Phuoc Hoa Rubber Company (65 km from HCMC) at 9.30 am. The participants were welcomed by the Company’s Director-General, Mr Le Phi Hung. The company is one of the largest rubber companies in Vietnam and it was listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange on 18^th August 2009.

The participants were shown various techniques used in the plantation: tapping of rubber trees, latex collection and performance of high spraying of fungicide to control leaf disease. The participants also visited the Company’s rubber wood processing factory and Tan Binh Indurstrial Park. 

                

A good tapping knife   Photo: Yap K J

Latex collecting centre   Photo: Yap K J

The rubber trees in the plantation were well maintained with the interrows sparsely covered with soft grasses. Fertilizers were applied in the silt-pit to minimise surface run-off and leaching. Tapping standards were good and tapping trees were fixed with rain guards.

The rubber trees were well maintained   Photo: Yap K J

Tapping trees fixed with rain guards   Photo: Yap K J

The hospitable host gave a lavish lunch for all participants. After lunch, the participants visited the RRIV office at Lai Khe - Binh Duong.

The RRIV office at Lai Khe - Binh Duong.was impressive. It has a new building which was completed in 2013. Four divisions (Breeding, Agrochemistry and Soil, Crop Protection, Latex Physiology and Harvesting); two centres (Rubber Technology and Natural Rubber Quality Control); and Lai Khe Rubber Experimental Station are located in this area.

Besides that, RRIV also has two centres and one Rubber Experimental Station situated in other regions of Vietnam (Centre for Rubber Research & Transfer of Technology in Highlands; Centre for Research & Development for Rubber Smallholders and Phu Yen Rubber Experimental Station).  

There are 140 researchers, 40 technicians, 400 administrative staff and workers in RRIV. The total area of the Institute is more than 1000 hectares.

RRIV new building at Lai Khe - Binh Duong         Photo: RRIV   

The participants were first shown the Hevea Germplasm Garden where the IRRDB exchanged clones and rubber clones were planted. Following this, participants visited the budwood nurseries where the clones were propagated and multiplied for research and later supplied as recommended budded clones to rubber smallholders and plantations.

Briefing of rubber clones   Photo: Yap K J

The International Rubber Conference and IRRDB Annual Meetings were conducted smoothly and efficiently. The participants learnt the latest technology, updated their knowledge, progress and challenges of each country and exchanged ideas on how to solve problems like the current low price of rubber.

There was a gala dinner on Day 1, hosted by RRIV. The dinner was on board a brightly lit-ship that cruised along the Saigon River while guests dined. The chefs prepared a sumptuous spread with seafood galore: big prawns, oyster, fish, squid and many unique Western and Eastern cuisine.

Guests waiting for the arrival of the brightly-lit cruise ship

A sumptuous spread of seafood

After dinner, Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz thanked the hosts for the splendid gala dinner. This was followed by  presentation of certificates for trainees who completed the course. 

There was entertainment by ethnic dancers and a live band with a talented drummer who wowed the audience with many catchy numbers.

Ethnic dancers in beautiful ao dai costumes

The band with the talented drummer

All good things must come to an end. As the guests leave the ship, many took the opportunity to take photos with the dancers. 

A photo with the charming dancers

On our last day at the Palace Hotel, the few of us from Malaysia bade farewell to some of the participants from different parts of the globe.

Saying farewell to participants from Sri Lanka, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Indonesia.

Attending the conference in Ho Chi Minh City opened my eyes to rubber growing in other countries. It was an enlightening experience.