Students open a workshop to make specimens, connecting with many international friends

Nguyen Kim Long, an international business student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, said he opened a workshop making insect specimens in March 2024. After nearly 3 months of operation, he has had a stable number of visitors coming to visit and experience.

Kim Long's (blue shirt) specimen making workshop attracted many young people and children to participate.

Chi Hoa Nam, a student at Vo Thi Sau Primary School, excitedly said: "I feel that the natural world is very interesting, there are many unique types of insects. After this workshop, I will definitely spend more time learning about these species."

The student's "base" is in Go Vap district, with an average of 5-10 participants per workshop, with several sessions a day, lasting about 3 hours. Ticket prices range from 350,000 - 390,000 VND/person (depending on the specimen), with two main types of specimens: insects and butterflies. In addition, Long also opens free admission for those who are passionate.

While instructing guests on how to make specimens, Long shared: "When I was young, I often participated in camping trips, scouting trips, etc. After each trip, I collected specimens and pressed them into a notebook. In 7th grade, I started a business with a reptile breeding model, earning 3-7 million VND/month. By 9th grade, due to too much studying, I had to temporarily put my job on hold."

His love for insects grew as he joined Facebook groups to learn about beautiful specimens from around the world. This was also the period when Long made many international friends.

"I find that studying international business is more and more suitable for my current job. The two complement each other, helping me come up with more business ideas," Long said excitedly.

After cleaning the specimen, Kim Long instructs customers on how to use pins to shape and frame the specimen.

Long uses freeze-drying technology to preserve specimens longer.

Long explained that specimen making workshops have appeared in many parts of the world, and in Japan, specimens are included in education . Long collects insects from farmers, but large ones have to be ordered from abroad.

"Even though they are insects, when imported to Vietnam, we still have to ensure two things: legal documents and the insects must be alive. The life cycle of insects is very short, after reproduction, the insects will die on their own, and their bodies will be used to make specimens" - Long clearly said.

Long said that he did not use living animals to make specimens because that would go against the true meaning of specimens, which is to preserve lost individuals.

Thanks to their passion for insects, Kim Long and Suzuki Yuya gradually became closer.

Since starting his workshop business, Long feels he has made more friends, especially international friends. Pointing to a large bug on the display shelf, Long said it was a gift from his friend Suzuki Yuya when he visited Vietnam.

"For people in the industry, these are priceless "items". Each country has a different natural climate, the insects also have different shapes and patterns, very interesting" - Long said.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/sinh-vien-mo-workshop-lam-tieu-ban-ket-noi-nhieu-ban-be-quoc-te-196240529155336433.htm