In its pursuit of scholarly and creative initiatives with meaningful social impact, the Asoka Creative Experimentation Fund (ACEF) remains anchored in its core values: knowledge, creativity, and service to the community. Alongside its flagship intellectual property projects, ACEF is supporting the outreach and fundraising efforts for an exceptionally human-centered initiative: the feature documentary “The Last Sanctuary” by director Ha Kin.
This documentary is more than a film.
It is a call for preservation, a final voice from a land on the brink of losing its natural heritage, and a testament to the quiet heroism of a farmer who devoted his life to protecting every small, fragile living being seeking refuge in his garden.
Vinh Long is one of only two provinces in Vietnam without a forest. Across the entire province, just one “green island” survives: the Hai Chia bird garden, a 2,000 m² piece of land safeguarded for over two decades by Mr. Le Van Chia and his late wife.
Twenty years ago, instead of driving the birds away to protect their crops, the couple chose compassion:
their land would be the birds’ home.
They gradually donated their entire property to the wild birds, living a modest, nearly income-free life but remaining unwavering in their commitment. Mr. Chia slept outdoors for years to deter poachers. Mrs. Chia passed away in 2022 due to cancer—yet she refused to sell the garden even for medical treatment.
Today, at the age of 80, Mr. Chia continues to guard the sanctuary alone, night after night.
That is why this film is aptly named “The Last Sanctuary.”
According to the project proposal reviewed by ACEF:
Minimum funding required to begin post-production: USD 15,000.
To date, the project has received no significant support from government bodies or NGOs.
Director Ha Kin has been the sole source of assistance to the garden for the past five years.
Mr. Chia’s health is deteriorating rapidly, making it urgent to document the garden and its ecosystem before it is lost forever.
The documentary seeks to:
Preserve an extraordinary story of sacrifice and compassion.
Raise public awareness about illegal bird hunting.
Advocate for building a protective fence around the garden.
Amplify media attention and support policy efforts for conservation.
Support independent filmmakers pursuing socially meaningful storytelling.
ACEF does not receive or manage donations on behalf of this project.
Instead, ACEF’s role is to:
Connect the project with communities and potential sponsors;
Support communication and awareness-raising—entirely non-profit;
Encourage direct contributions to the filmmakers, ensuring transparency and preserving full value for the creative team;
Provide strategic guidance on fundraising, especially for independent film projects with strong humanitarian significance.
ACEF walks alongside this project because it embodies the spirit of “creativity born from values”—true to our identity:
“Born from IP. Built for IP – and built for impact.”
ACEF warmly invites organizations, companies, social foundations, and nature-loving individuals to:
so the documentary can be completed and the voice of this last sanctuary can be heard.
With USD 15,000, post-production can begin and every contribution, no matter the size, becomes part of a meaningful act of preservation.
Sponsor benefits (as outlined in the project proposal):
Name acknowledgment in the film and all communication materials;
Brand visibility across the director’s social media ecosystem (over 103,000 followers);
Brand signage at the bird garden itself - the place where this story was born.
Because this is:
A true story, free from sensationalism and commercial intent;
The only documentary capturing one of the last natural bird sanctuaries in Vinh Long;
A testament to Vietnamese values: compassion, perseverance, and living for something greater than oneself;
A convergence of film, nature, and social responsibility, where everyone can make a difference.
ACEF is ready to:
Connect sponsors directly with the director;
Provide additional information from the official project proposal;
Accompany the project through academic communication and strategic outreach.
If you wish to support “The Last Sanctuary,” please contact ACEF to be connected transparently and directly to the creators.
Together, every helping hand safeguards a remaining piece of nature - so that tomorrow, these stories of beauty can continue to be told.
Founded with the mission “Born from IP. Built for IP”, the Asoka Creative Experimentation Fund (ACEF) serves as a bridge that transforms intellectual property policies into practical, creative projects within Vietnam and across the world.
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