The exhibition gives a new and amazing look into the world of insects in Việt Nam. It has attracted many young people. — VNS Photo Minh Thu

HÀ NỘI — An exhibition on the world of insects opened on Saturday in Hà Nội.

With the theme “Discovering the Insect Biodiversity of Việt Nam”, the exhibition is a result of 10 years of scientific collaboration between Việt Nam and Italy.

The Việt Nam Museum of Ethnology, the Việt Nam National Museum of Nature, the Natural History Museum of University of Florence (Italy) and the Italian Embassy in Việt Nam have jointly organised the exhibition.

The exhibition introduces 38 photos by Italian photographer Saulo Bambi and Vietnamese entomologist Dr Vũ Văn Liên.

The exhibition offers an interesting new look at the abundance, evolution and adaptation of insects with the surrounding environment through vivid images.

Through the exhibition, the authors want to send the message: "Respect and live peacefully with nature, so that nature will forever accompany humankind," said Liên.

The exhibition aims to improve the understanding of the world of insects and their habitats, in hopes of encouraging much-needed protection of insect diversity in particular, and animals and plants in general, to preserve and protect the living environment for the present and future generations, Bùi Nhật Quang, director of the Museum of Ethnology, said.

“The wonderful and educational photos at this exhibition will connect people to the natural world,” said Quang.

Insects are the largest group of organisms on the planet, with 1.3 million known species, accounting for nearly 80% of all species on Earth, according to Trần Tuấn Anh, vice president of the Việt Nam Academy of Science.

“Most insects are useful or harmless, only less than 0.1 per cent of species are harmful. Insects are present almost everywhere, most of them in tropical rainforests.”

“Việt Nam is ranked 16th in the world in terms of biodiversity,” he said.

 “Unfortunately, the disappearance of many plants and animals, of which insects make up the majority, due to deforestation, environmental pollution and global warming, is still going on and with increasing speed. Every day, many species are becoming extinct, many of which are still unknown.”

“Raising people's awareness and taking action are the only solutions to conserving nature and protecting the living environment in a proper and appropriate way to reduce the loss of biodiversity,” said Anh.

The Italian Ambassador agreed, adding that raising public awareness about the protection of biodiversity and the environment was essential.

He also praised the scientific co-operation between Việt Nam and Italy in recent years.

"Scientific diplomacy is an important pillar, along with the economic, cultural and political ones, to strengthen the image of Italy in Việt Nam,” he said.

“I am very curious to discover the extraordinary biodiversity of Việt Nam through the insects, whose role is essential, as we know, for the protection and sustainability of the entire ecosystem in which we live.”

The exhibition aims to celebrate International Museum Day, the Việt Nam Science and Technology Day (May 18) and World Biodiversity Day (May 22). The exhibition will be held at the Việt Nam Museum of Ethnology, 1 Nguyễn Văn Huyên Street, Hà Nội until June 18. — VNS