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Baku walks to work on the Trang Tien Bridge which links Hue’s old and new towns over the Huong River.
“There is no hassle in commuting or going around in town - everything is within 10 to 15 minutes distance. If I go out of the Hue downtown, I can immediately see rural scenes like paddy fields, mountains, rivers, lagoons, and natural beaches.”
Baku strolls through Dong Ba market, the biggest “wet market” in Hue City.
“It is my personal mission while in Hue to understand local natural resources availability better.”
Baku checks out local produce at the Dong Ba market in Hue.
“My assignment has convinced me that the community-based or joint management of natural resources is the way to go in the context of many developing countries, especially with the decentralization trend of natural resource governance.”
Baku is also a training unit coordinator.
"I plan and implement capacity building workshops related to fisheries and livelihood promotion in Hue city as well as in the lagoon areas. There are only three international staff based here in the project office in Hue city and my work entails a wide range of activities.”
Baku goes to project sites to monitor aquaculture pilot models.
“Learning better techniques on aquaculture management including polyculture techniques has been very useful. I should be able to apply this knowledge as a livelihood option for local communities in any community development work I take on in the future.”
Baku checks the location of stake traps in the lagoon with a GPS and map of fishing gear.
“As part of the project we are mapping fishing gear and aquaculture ponds. This assignment has allowed me to refresh my skills and knowledge on GIS/GPS application to natural resources management.”
On his way home from work Baku drops into "reptile" liquor shop in Hue.
“I don't necessarily drink them but love to find out about different and new things.”
Because Hue is such a small town, Baku often goes home to prepare and eat lunch with his wife Aya.
“We don’t eat local food everyday but I do enjoy it. Hue has two different kinds of traditional food: Hue food (for ordinary people) and Royal food (traditionally for the Dynasty). Hue food is spicier and has stronger taste as compared to dishes from other regions.”
Baku’s wife Aya moved with him to Hue.
“Life was initially a little difficult with no TV at home, no English newspaper or bookstores. Now we have many good friends here, and Aya has also started helping poor children in one of the resettlement areas in Hue city (it's called Happy Hue Project) with local Vietnamese volunteers.”
