A campaign calling for widespread action to clean up Vietnam’s coast waters was launched in Hanoi on Thursday.

The Let’s Clean Up The Ocean 2018 campaign aims to reduce pollution caused by domestic waste in 28 provinces and cities along Vietnam’s coast through meaningful activities, such as beach cleanups, until August 31, 2018.

The effort, hosted by the Vietnam Youth Union’s Central Committee and the National Volunteer Center, is meant to raise public awareness of environmental issues, as well as climate change and its effects on Vietnam.

The organizers said 28,000 people in 28 coastal provinces and cities across Vietnam are expected to engage in the campaign by volunteering in teams which will encourage other local residents to keep beaches clean, use trash cans, and reduce the use of one-time plastics.  

Through these activities, Let’s Clean Up The Ocean hopes to minimize pollution in at least 50 percent of the areas the campaign has identified as contaminated with domestic waste.

The campaign is also providing financial support to fishermen living in difficult circumstances created by environmental neglect.

The organizers announced at a press conference on Thursday that they will host a poster design contest and call for ideas on how to clean the ocean alongside the campaign.

Low-cost carrier Vietjet said the same day that it will contribute to the campaign by participating in practical activities, including the Let’s Clean Up The Ocean Central Festival on Phu Quoc Island off the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang on July 20.

The no-frills carrier will also organize social security activities to encourage disadvantaged fishermen in coastal provinces to continue sailing and developing the national economy, along with establishing core youth volunteer teams to protect the marine environment in coastal areas.

Let's Clean Up The Ocean has been held annually since May 2016.

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