100 young people have arrived in Ha Long Bay, one of the World Natural Heritage recognized by UNESCO, together participating in cleaning up waste, contributing to restoring green space for coastal areas.
The event is part of a series of annual activities, held twice a year to celebrate Earth Day 2025. The program is implemented by Keep Vietnam Clean (KVC) in collaboration with Paradise Vietnam, aiming to eliminate waste and protect the marine ecosystem.
Although waste collection activities are carried out periodically, according to a representative of Paradise Vietnam, "After the remnants of the historic storm Yagi, the multi-purpose cage system for aquaculture at sea of the people was damaged and almost gone. Large foam boards are consecutively drifting ashore, affecting the beach's landscape."
Talking to reporters, Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Diep - Director of Keep Vietnam Clean Social Enterprise - said: "I was one of the first volunteers of the project, at first we gathered together simply to do things "no one did, somewhat strange" at that time.
However, after nearly 10 years, with the motto "Cover trees, ward is clean" and the mission of inspiring, propagating, and educating, KVC has seen a change in everyone's awareness and actions. That is what makes us most proud" - Ms. Diep shared.
As a non-profit organization initially named "Keep Hanoi Clean", KVC has cleaned up and handled spontaneous garbage dumps and "black spots" in the capital.
Bui Minh Ngoc - Internship student at KVC shared: "Through this campaign, I hope this is a source of motivation to raise people's awareness and limit littering. Let's consider the environment as a friend who lives within ourselves. Because we are living in the same environment, in that same friend. We need an economy to make a living, but for us that is a necessary condition, and the conditions are enough for us to survive, that is the environment".
For many young people, environmental protection activities do not stop at awareness, but are also concretized through practical actions. As one of the volunteers who love nature and the environment, Bui Vu Hai Yen - a student at VinUniversity University, believes that environmental protection and sustainable ecosystem development start with the smallest, easiest things to do.
The campaign also received positive responses from students of Lycee Franceis Alexandre Yersin International School - individuals who not only consider this an extracurricular activity, but also an extension of the practical subject.
More than just a subject, Pham Ngoc Minh Anh, grade 12 at Lycee Franceis Alexandre Yersin International School, Head of the student delegation, excitedly shared: "Surrounded by love for nature and responsibility for the environment, we have chosen to accompany the project to clean up Tuan Chau beach, Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province. We hope that anyone who comes to nature will leave a green footprint, preserving its original beauty.
After nearly two hours of tireless collection, the "green leaders" treated about 160 kg of various types of waste, including 55 large and small foam boards drifting ashore.
In the context of climate change and increasing pollution, these "small but effective" actions are gradually affirming the role of each individual - especially young people - in joining hands to preserve and protect nature.
