ACIAR in collaboration with the Vietnam Women's Union is developing a project on the production and utilisation of indigenous vegetables in Vietnam by women - designed to specifically target the safe production, promotion and utilisation of indigenous vegetables and the role of women in these activities.

This scoping study was the first phase of the development of a 4-year project titled 'Increasing the skills of women in the safe production, promotion and utilisation of indigenous vegetables in Vietnam', to be led by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). This project will result in improved farming practices and production information on new vegetables to help farmers in both Vietnam and Australia.

As part of the project development Virginia Brunton, Education Officer, Sustainable Agriculture and Jenny Ekman, Research Horticulturist, Market Access, both from the Gosford Horticulture Institute of NSW DPI, visited Vietnam from 8/1/2007 to 20/1/2007. They visited farms and markets in rural areas around Hanoi, Hue, Dalat and Ho Chi Minh, including some areas inhabited by ethnic minority groups. They also met with representatives from potential collaborating agencies (Universities, State Departments etc.) in these areas. The trip was extremely successful, in that 26 different indigenous vegetables were identified that could be suitable for further development in the full ACIAR project.

This list was reduced to around 12 species following a workshop of all major stakeholders in May 2007 in Hanoi. Papers were presented on various aspects of indigenous vegetable research, production, marketing and utilisation, the role of women in farming and related activities, industry development strategies and good agricultural practices. The workshop also included discussion forums and field/farm visits. The workshop enabled collation of information, finalisation of nominated indigenous vegetables, confirmation of collaborative agencies and determination of area/field locations.