Prince William speaks to traditional medicine practitioners and school children in Vietnam

Record ID: 78308

  • Title: Prince William speaks to traditional medicine practitioners and school children in Vietnam
  • Date: 16th November 2016
  • Summary: HANOI, VIETNAM (NOVEMBER 16, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** LAN ONG STREET, WITH SHOPS SELLING TRADITIONAL MEDICINE SIGN BOARD OF SHOP NAME "TOAN MY", AND PRACTITIONER NAME: "NGUYEN KIM BANG" SHOP FRONT SELLING TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND HERBS TRADITIONAL PRACTITIONER NGUYEN KIM BANG IN HIS SHOP MOTORCADE ARRIVING DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE PRINCE WILLIAM STEPPING OUT OF CAR / SHAKING HANDS WITH PEOPLE PRINCE WILLIAM IN THE SHOP TALKING TO PEOPLE VARIOUS OF PRINCE WILLIAM SNIFFING HERBS VARIOUS OF PRINCE WILLIAM SPEAKING TO NGUYEN PRINCE WILLIAM SPEAKING TO PEOPLE IN SHOP VARIOUS OF CROWD GATHERING OUTSIDE SHOP (SOUNDBITE) (Vietnamese) 60-YEAR-OLD TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER, NGUYEN KIM BANG, SAYING: "I'm very honoured that the British prince visited my shop. I'm very proud and happy to welcome him to my shop and to Vietnam." NGUYEN TAKING HERBS OUT OF DRAWERS (SOUNDBITE) (Vietnamese) 60-YEAR-OLD TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER, NGUYEN KIM BANG, SAYING: "Rhino horn is believed to be an antidote, but science has proven that it's just the same like our fingernails, it doesn't have any effect." PEOPLE TAKING PHOTOS ON THEIR PHONES OUTSIDE SHOP ELDERLY COUPLE LOOKING ON VENDORS LOOKING OUT FROM THEIR SHOP VARIOUS OF PRINCE WILLIAM WALKING ON THE STREET YEN, FILMING ON HER PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (Vietnamese) LOCAL RESIDENT, YEN, SAYING: "He is so handsome. He looks very kind. We Vietnamese love the British prince. He is very handsome." BANNER READING (Vietnamese): "LET'S JOIN HANDS TO PROTECT THE RHINOS" AT ENTRANCE TO HONG HA SCHOOL PRINCE WILLIAM SITTING DOWN NEXT TO SCHOOL CHILDREN VARIOUS OF PRINCE WILLIAM TALKING TO CHILDREN VARIOUS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN PLAYING WITH STUFFED TOY RHINO PRINCE WILLIAM TALKING TO CHILDREN PRINCE WILLIAM SITTING WITH CHILDREN SCHOOL CHILDREN PLAYING SOCCER VARIOUS OF PRINCE WILLIAM PLAYING SOCCER WITH CHILDREN PRINCE WILLIAM'S FOOT KICKING BALL SCHOOL BOY LOOKING AT BALL VARIOUS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, TEACHERS AND PRINCE WILLIAM TAKING PHOTOS TOGETHER VARIOUS OF PRINCE WILLIAM HIGH-FIVING SCHOOL CHILDREN
  • Embargoed: 1st December 2016 12:05
  • Keywords: Prince William Duke of Cambridge Vietnam traditional medicine rhino horns wild rhino
  • Location: HANOI, VIETNAM
  • City: HANOI, VIETNAM
  • Country: Vietnam
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Royals
  • Reuters ID: LVA00158P0SAV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Britain's Duke of Cambridge visited a traditional medicine shop in Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi on Wednesday (November 16) and later spoke to children in a nearby school in an aim to raise awareness about wildlife protection.
    Prince William spoke to a traditional medicine practitioner about work to curb the use of illegal wildlife trade products.
    The fourth-generation practitioner was delighted to host the prince and said he understands rhino horns have no medicinal effect.
    "Rhino horn is believed to be an antidote, but science has proven that it's just the same like our fingernails, it doesn't have any effect," said 60-year-old Nguyen Kim Bang.
    Vietnam is a transit point for elephant ivory for consumers in mostly China and the United States to make jewellery and home decorations, while the Southeast Asian nation is a major consumer of rhino horn.
    The usage and trading of rhino horn is a criminal offence in Vietnam, but demand is strong due to a long-held belief in rhino horn's medical power as an elixir, especially among the country's growing middle and upper classes.
    Prince William then walked along Lan Ong Street, which houses many traditional medicine shops, causing a large crowd to gather, many whipping out their phones to take photos and videos of him.
    "He is so handsome. He looks very kind. We Vietnamese love the British prince," said local resident, Yen, who did not give her last name.
    Prince William walked to Hong Ha primary school, where he met with students, many of them coming from families that trade in traditional medicine in Hanoi.
    Hong Ha is one of many schools involved in a nationwide education and awareness-raising scheme to reduce the demand for rhino horn.
    The duke joined a class of eight-year-olds in the library who were being read the storybook 'I'm a Little Rhino', and he took the opportunity to ask them what they thought about protecting wildlife.
    The book is one of a number of initiatives in the partnership between the Humane Society International and the government of Vietnam. The book alone has reached 1.5 million children, with each child receiving a copy that they can take home.
    Prince William then played a game of soccer with some children before posing for a group photo with the students and teachers.
    Prince William is in Vietnam for the third Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference which begins on Thursday (November 17).
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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