Oxygen bubbles created by aquatic plants. A variety of plant found in Vietnam's primitive forests. A variety of aquatic plant. Aquatic plants can be cultivated into clumps before being put into the aquarium. Most aquarium lovers wish to create a harmonious natural area in their living space. They follow the principle of imitating a beloved space in an aquarium of beautiful aquatic creatures, which is also the art of this pastime. An aquarium awarded with the Aqua Prize. A standard aquarium must consist of six items including its glass structure being at least 8mm thick, a base of soil, fertilizer and pebbles for growing plants, a sunlamp to provide light and heat for the plants thereby causing photosynthesis, a water filter, a CO2 tank to maintain the plants’ life and aquatic plants. Answering the query about the role of fish in the aquarium, Dinh Ton Phong, a doctor at the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, who is experienced in tending aquariums, said: “The fish are only a decorative item in the aquarium. Tending ornamental fish is animal husbandry while tending aquatic plants is farming. This is the basic difference between the two pastimes.” To meet the demand of aquarium lovers in Hanoi , some areas, such as Hang Dau Street , which is known for selling ornamental fish, and Nghi Tam, Yen Phu and Tu Lien Villages have embarked on growing and selling aquatic plants. Now many people like to build in their home an aquarium with green aquatic plants and grass, mountain and rural landscape miniatures, etc... Duong Minh Son’s small house on a lane off Lo Duc Street ( Hanoi ) has become an interesting place for his neighbours to visit thanks to his aquarium, 2m long, 0.6m wide and 0.8m high with mountains, green forest, a pasture and fish. Tran Quang Hung, a cadre of the external relation department of the Vietnam Airlines Corporation, is often under pressure at work. His involvement in aquarium tending at home reduces the stress and he realizes that this pastime is full of art and attractive. The aquarium provides conditions for him to show his creativeness. He once designed his aquarium with the scene of the mountainous north-western area where he has passed through many times and enjoyed its beauty. Aquarium keeping helps the city dwellers relax after hard working hours and avoid the busy atmosphere. They enjoy watching the plants grow and change everyday. Aquarium lovers have established clubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and created their own website to exchange experiences, sell or present tools to one another, discover and seek new varieties of aquatic plants from the forests and mountains in Vietnam. Growing aquatic plants on Lua (the core of the stump of an age-old tree). Aquarium lovers search for strange aquatic plants in the mountainous and forest area. A new variety of wild grass found in Cuc Phuong National Park. Designing the aquarium. Story by Tri Cong - Photos by Tat Son – Aquabird Vietnam