Established at the end of 2022 by Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy (born 1995), Hanoi Green started from the garbage collection sessions of a small group of young people. Images recorded during the operation were then shared on social networks, attracting community attention. From a volunteer group, Hanoi Green gradually expanded its activities to many canals, ditches and polluted points in Hanoi, with the desire to contribute to changing environmental awareness.
On September 13, from early morning, many volunteers were present in the canal and ditch area of CN8 street, Xuan Phuong ward, Hanoi to attend the September 2026 launching ceremony, the "Joining Hands for the Green Sky" campaign organized by Hanoi Green in coordination with the Green Future Fund (under Vingroup Group).
According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy, Head of Hanoi Green, the idea of establishing the group started from the times he went to pick up trash when he was a student. Witnessing the pollution situation in the canals, he wanted to do more instead of just collecting garbage on the bank.
Collecting garbage only solves the surface. The most important thing is still the impact on people's awareness," Mr. Huy shared.
At the launching ceremony, volunteers had to handle many different types of waste. Besides domestic waste, plastic bottles, nylon bags, there were also glass, sharp objects, needles and difficult-to-decompose waste.
The work is therefore not simply collecting. Sharp objects can be mixed in mud or under cloudy water, requiring participants to be careful in each operation.
Before directly going down to the garbage clearing area, volunteers are instructed on how to collect and treat types of garbage that are likely to cause injury. After that, each group divides up to perform tasks, continuously bringing garbage from under the canal to the bank.
Among those participating in the launching ceremony was Tran Thi Hong Nhung. The female volunteer shared that this is not the first time she has been exposed to potentially dangerous types of garbage: "Initially, I was quite hesitant, but when I was guided by the seniors, carefully equipped with protective gear, as well as understood the importance of cleaning up garbage, I gradually got used to it and felt happy to be able to contribute to making the environment greener and cleaner.
Vu Duc Duy, a volunteer participating in the activity, said that such launches are also an opportunity for young people to directly contribute to the community, instead of just sharing environmental protection messages on social networks.
I hope the group's activities can spread to young people, so that more people know and participate," said Duy.
Mr. Duc Khanh, co-founder of Hanoi Green, said that the group's goal is not only to clean up each pollution point but also to change people's habits.
I hope that one day in the not too distant future we will no longer have to operate, when all points in Hanoi are green and there is no garbage," Mr. Khanh said.
After each garbage cleanup, the group also returns to survey to monitor the situation in the area where they used to operate. At some locations, the situation of littering has decreased, and people are more aware of preserving the living environment. That is the motivation for the group to continue pursuing the mission of "greening" the Capital.
