The Mangrove Ecosystem Research Center (MERC) was established in January 1987 under the administration of Hanoi National University of Education. The senior members of MERC have studied mangrove forests since the 1970s and conducted several long– term national projects on mangrove ecosystem (1986 – 1995).

The main tasks of MERC: To implement long-term national projects concerning mangrove ecosystems as well as coastal management and to cooperate with foreign institutions in a number of scientific projects; To provide technical consultants and advisors for several NGOs in Vietnam for preparation and evaluation of projects on mangrove planting and aquaculture in coastal areas; To provide educational materials for students, teachers, local administrators, farmers and fishermen on the sustainable use of natural resources and environment in coastal areas with the sponsor of NGOs; To organize training courses for a large number of coastal dwellers on the role of mangroves and techniques for planting and tending; To participate in several international and regional organizations for studying different fields of coastal ecosystems; To organize national and international workshops and seminars in cooperation with other international and local institutions.

To help scientists to implement field researches, MERC established a Mangrove Ecosystem Research Station (MERS) in 1996. The building of MERS is in Giao Lac Commune, Giao Thuy District, Nam Dinh Province.

As a member of the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystem (ISME), MERC has actively implemented some activities of this society.

Contact :

Mangrove Ecosystem Research Center

Add: Room 407, building V

Hanoi National University of Education

136 Xuan Thuy Str., Cau Giay Disct., Hanoi City, Vietnam

Director: Assoc.Prof. Dr. Mai Sy Tuan

Tel: 0243.9953875

Email: mercvn@gmail.com