Consumption of plastic bags still remains a common practice in daily activities in Ho Chi Minh City, despite the fact that the consumption of single-use plastic bags places a burden on the environment.

Prices of plastic bags vary between VND20,000 (US$0.81) and VND50,000 ($2.04) per kilogram, depending on their sizes and use.

Given their low prices and convenience, plastic bags have been present in almost every corner of daily life.

Meanwhile, collecting and treating plastic waste, including plastic bags, requires complicated steps.

The southern metropolis daily discharges 1,800 metric tons of plastic waste but only 200 metric tons are collected and recycled, while hundreds of thousands of used plastic bags are discharged directly into the environment.

Below are some photos of people using plastic bags in Ho Chi Minh City:

Vendors offer their vegetables packed in plastic bags for sale at a wet market in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City

A man is seen transporting many plastic bags containing vegetables on Vo Van Ngan Street in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City

Market-goers carry items contained in plastic bags

Vegetables are put in plastic bags at a wet market in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City

Plastic bags are seen piling up at a wet market in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City

Discharging used plastic bags directly into the environment has become a common practice in the city

It is easy to see scrap dealers transporting a large number of used plastic bags along the street in the city

A large volume of used plastic bags at a garbage dump in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

A sanitation worker is seen classifying used plastic bags

Early this year, Ho Chi Minh City approved a circular economy development plan in the city for the 2022-25 period, with a vision toward 2030. 

In the plan, the city looks to reuse, recycle, and treat 85 percent of plastic waste, and halve the volume of plastic waste in the sea by 2025.

The southern metropolis aims to gradually reduce the production and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags and single-use plastic products in daily activities.

In addition, at least 80 percent of livestock waste and 60 percent of agricultural by-products must be collected, reused, and recycled into eco-friendly materials, fuel, and products.

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