The Green Vietnam 2025 initiative kicked off at 23/9 (September 23) Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday, with the theme ‘Promoting Green Consumption.’

The second edition of the program aims to enhance the effectiveness of environmental protection and raise public awareness of sustainable practices.

The atmosphere at the park was lively from early morning as young people eagerly left their fingerprints as a pledge to support the environment, and joined various games and activities.

Ready for lifestyle changes

Duong Khanh Linh, a freshman at Van Hien University in Ho Chi Minh City, shared that as soon as she heard about the Green Vietnam initiative, she immediately signed up to participate, driven by her passion for environmental protection. 

She also drew inspiration from Miss Intercontinental 2022 Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc.

Linh said that she had been maintaining a habit of sorting waste at home, with separate bins for organic waste and inorganic waste, and reducing the use of plastic bags and bottles.

“I believe that small but consistent acts can bring about change. When I practice this well, it will inspire those around me, including friends and family members, to follow suit,” Linh said.

Nguyen Bach Thien Huong, a student at the Ho Chi Minh City Open University, said that she had given up single-use plastic bottles. 

She expressed pride that her school had two water purifiers, enabling lecturers and students to easily use personal bottles instead of buying bottled water. 

Huong also noted that many of her classmates had adopted the habit of bringing their own water bottles to the university.

The biggest barrier to adopting a green lifestyle for students is financial health, said Hoang Vu, a sophomore at Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City.

However, Vu affirmed that he would support and use eco-friendly products when possible.

At the event, many young people keenly shared the green actions they had taken, while expressing excitement for the new and captivating activities within the Green Vietnam 2025 program.

More determined actions, commitments

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ngo Minh Hai, secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, expressed hope that the Green Vietnam program would help honor businesses and startups pursue green business models, green products, and green consumption. 

The program was also expected to raise awareness about green living in the community, especially among young people, contributing to the creation of a sustainable living environment.

Nguyen Gia Huy Chuong, CEO of PRO Vietnam - Packaging Recycling JSC, shared that after one year of implementing the Green Vietnam program, participating enterprises had made significant strides in launching environmental protection initiatives.

Building on the first edition’s success, the second season of the Green Vietnam program aims to enhance the implementation of environmental initiatives and take further steps toward sustainable development, he said.

The program is meant to not only focus on environmental protection, but also to encourage firms, organizations, and young generations to join, he underlined.

Miss Intercontinental 2022 Ngoc told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that as part of the second edition themed ‘Promoting Green Consumption,’ she had launched a program called ‘Change Zero - Youth for Sustainable Development.’

The initiative is intended to encourage young people to get involved in environmental protection.

She said that climate change is increasingly severe, and the best way to cope is by changing consumption habits. 

Individuals must minimize loss, adopt responsible consumption, and prioritize eco-friendly products.

She also said that she expected young people to realize the importance of protecting the planet, not because it is a duty, but for their own future. 

“Our lives begin with the green. If we continue to take away the green of the earth, we are also taking away the lives of ourselves and future generations,” Ngoc sent this message to the community.

The Green Vietnam project was initiated by Tuoi Tre in collaboration with Packaging Recycling Organization Vietnam in 2024.

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