The Dimensions of the Forest Returns with Edition #2

Building on the emotions and reflections left by the first edition, Toom Sara Village Da Nang once again teamed up with A Song and Dogma to organize "Dimensions of the Forest #2." This journey invites participants to meet the people who live alongside the forest, to listen to stories from the great woodlands, and to explore new perspectives on nature, Co Tu culture, and the native ecosystem.

The program's name draws inspiration from the book of the same title by writer Nguyen Ngoc - an invitation for each visitor to step into the forest with more than one point of view, and to listen to what nature has quietly been trying to say all along.

"Dimensions of the Forest" is part of the "Breathe, Forest, Breathe" project run by Toom Sara Village Da Nang - a long-term effort to restore native forests, spread a love of nature, and connect communities with the forest through hands-on experiences and honest conversations about the value of indigenous woodland.

Over two days at Toom Sara, participants walked together, listened together, and felt together the forest's quiet transformations - one footstep, one story at a time.

Following the Acacia Trail to Understand the Story of the Soil

On the first morning, the group followed Mr. Dung through stretches of acacia forest leading to a small stream in front of the village - a path that once belonged to untouched natural forest. As he walked, he described how the forest had changed over the years.

In the past, the ground was always covered in a soft blanket of fallen leaves; every step felt cushioned, thanks to the living ecosystem nourishing the soil beneath. Over time, as acacia plantations expanded to support local livelihoods, the ground itself began to change. After each harvest, burning off the undergrowth to prepare for the next planting cycle stripped away that natural cover, leaving the soil drier and harder.

Walking through the forest, the group tuned in to the smallest sounds - birdsong, insects, the scent of earth after rain, and water running over stones. Each one became part of the story.

Conversations That Opened New Views of the Forest

In the afternoon, the Guol communal house became a gathering place for nature lovers. Mr. Aral Dieu and Ms. Kieu Maily shared deeply personal stories about a life lived alongside the forest.

Mr. Aral Dieu chose to return to the forest, believing that a healthy forest can sustain its people. His goal is to gradually restore the native ecosystem so people can once again rely on the forest the way their ancestors did - step outside and find fruit trees; step into the forest and find water, food, medicinal plants, and an ecosystem rich enough to support life. Bringing that back starts with restoring the forest's biodiversity.

Ms. Kieu Maily spoke about the herbal medicine garden she has been building, day by day, on dry, depleted land. Every plant she preserves adds another thread to the forest's biodiversity. Through these stories, participants came to understand that livelihood development and nature conservation must be balanced with care and responsibility.

What stayed with the Toom Sara team most wasn't the stories about the forest itself, but the quiet persistence of people who have spent years rebuilding what once seemed lost - carrying the same belief that the forest can turn green again, if someone is willing to start today.

An Evening by the Fire, Where the Stories Continued

As night fell, everyone gathered around the fire with Mr. Doi, Mr. Dung, Mr. Aral Dieu, and Ms. Maily. The mountains and forest felt closer through stories of the Guol house, Co Tu customs, and the old ways of living with the forest and protecting its water sources. The crackle of the fire, the hum of insects, and conversations stretching late into the night slowly closed the distance between strangers.

Closing the Journey, Opening New Reflections

The second day continued with a talk by Dr. Ngo Anh Dao, followed by a reflection session led by A Song together with Ms. Mai Huyen Chi. The closing session wasn't about right or wrong conclusions - each person carried home their own takeaway from two days in the forest. Some remembered the feeling of walking on bare earth. Some remembered the story of the Guol house. Others left with a new curiosity about native forests and biodiversity.

That is exactly what "Dimensions of the Forest" hopes to offer: every trip can open up one more way of seeing nature, culture, and our own relationship with the forest we live alongside.

See You at the Next Dimension of the Forest

Following the success of its first two editions, "Dimensions of the Forest" will continue as an ongoing series organized by Toom Sara Da Nang together with A Song and Dogma - creating spaces for meeting, dialogue, and experience for anyone drawn to nature, indigenous culture, and ecosystem restoration.

Because to truly understand a forest, sometimes what's needed most is simply to step in, listen, and let the forest tell its own story.