Bridging the divide

A group of students surround a stone object symbolising linga and yoni at the exhibition hall of Cham Museum. They listen attentively to the guide.
"Linga and yoni always go together," the guide explains, "The linga is often stylised into a smooth cylindrical mass and placed in the centre of yoni, a disk-shaped object. That’s the common form of yang and yin harmony."
Some students blush with embarrassment, but as the guide continues talking on ancient Cham ethnic people’s nature worship cults, it is replaced with interest, surprise and murmurs. There are no more bashful faces.
The linga and yoni are Hindu symbols associated with Lord Shiva and his consort, with the former being a phallic post serving as his representation, the guides says.
Before the conquest by King Le Thanh Tong in the 15th century, the Cham culture was heavily influenced by that of India. Cham kings frequently erected stone lingas as the central religious theme in royal temples.
"The sculptures also indicate the ancient male-dominated cultures," the guide adds.
The students see the ancient myth of generative power being examined in a modern and scientific light.
"It is so astonishing," said Pham Thu Thao, a 11-grade-student from the Thai Phien High School, "Thanks to the tour, I can understand what the round statue with 23 breasts under a linga implies. The breasts symbolise women. They symbolise giving birth and teach us about menstruation. The Cham culture has a really creative and artistic approach to sex education."
The tour continues with a stop at Son Tra Peninsula, where the students can breathe the ocean air while admiring Linh Ung Tu Pagoda. Then they come to scenic My Khe Beach, to enjoy outdoor games focused on sex education.
"The games are meant to normalise physical contact between girls and boys, helping them understand that these contacts are just part of normal communication," says Nguyen Dinh Tri, a member of Da Nang Youth Union.
The organisers tactically mix male and female students in teams to create chances for them to support each another. The initial embarrassment of players quickly disappears and is replaced by joyful laughter.
The game may be simple like making balloons from condoms and then each pair of participants [male and female] carry the inflated to a finish point without using their hands. The team transferring the most number of condoms wins the game.
There is no trace of timidity as the youngsters take to the games with enthusiasm.
"We gain soft skills and knowledge of sex more easily through these outdoor activities," says student Minh Phuong.
When night falls, students and educators feast on fresh seafood served at a beach restaurant.
Dinh Van Loc, director of Viet Da Travel, said the idea of the tour came when he read headlines in newspapers of a "sexual revolution" among teenagers.
"Also there was the fact that parents faced a headache over how to educate their children about sex," he said.
Health and social workers were quick to support such a creative idea, merging education in sex and culture and throwing in a travel experience.
Huynh Thi Thu Hien, first-year student from Da Nang College, says she had been surprised that not only girls but boys can be troubled during puberty.
The tour provide youngsters basic knowledge of sex and puberty without promoting sexual experimentation.
"We are still trying to perfect the tour," Loc says. "We are trying to include more health experts, consultants from various health centres and event organisers to make it more informative and helpful.
"We are also looking at other destinations with tours from other locations."
Da Nang Youth Union vice chairman Nguyen Thuan says the tour idea seems to be effective.
"It helps students behave better to the other gender, from which they can establish pure friendship," he says, "The local youth union has co-operated with the company in this endeavour."
Ho Quynh Nga, a labour union leader from Da Nang’s Hoa Khanh Industrial Zone, said the zone managing board had organised many consultations on sexual health and HIV prevention for workers, which were usually dry, boring and not persuasive.
"It would be great for our workers to join such a tour," Nga said.