Marine waste, a burning national issue, is silently devastating the marine environment and threatening human life in Vietnam. According to statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, each year in Vietnam, about 1.8 million tons of plastic waste are discharged into the environment, of which 0.28-0.73 million tons are discharged into the sea, ranking high in the Southeast Asia region. Marine waste causes serious pollution to coastal waters, especially in areas with high concentrations of tourism and seafood fishing activities.

According to people in Can Thanh town, Can Gio district, Ho Chi Minh City, they shared: "More than 80% of the people here live on the beach, from jobs such as fishing, raising oysters, clams,.... The beach is very large, nearly 20 (km) kilometers, and people are worried about the pollution situation. Garbage is overflowing, especially types of garbage like plastic, which affects marine life and is very dangerous when ingested. Therefore, the locality has also launched, propagated, and emphasized the collection of garbage and not throwing it into the sea. At the same time, we are also trained in environmental sanitation to protect the livelihood of future generations”.

In response to World Water Day (March 22) and World Meteorological Day (March 23), Ho Chi Minh City Open University organized the "Beach Clean Up 2024" program with activities: plastic exchange for gifts, the seminar "Environmental Education" and cleaning up the beach at Can Thanh beach, Can Gio district, Ho Chi Minh City.

Program "Beach clean up 2024" in Can Thanh town, Can Gio district, Ho Chi Minh City

The program attracted the enthusiastic participation of students, including international students from Laos, Cambodia,...and local residents. Accordingly, Beach Clean Up 2024 was organized with the aim of raising environmental awareness among students of Ho Chi Minh City Open University in particular and the community in general, contributing to reducing waste that pollutes water sources, promoting green lifestyles to improve their health and mental training, and change their behavior towards their own and community responsibilities.

The garbage collection and beach cleaning activities took place on the morning of May 12, 2024. Volunteers and locals collected over 1,000 kilograms of waste.

Volunteers and local residents collect trash on the beach

Sadek Nalinsak - a Lao student at Ho Chi Minh City Open University expressed his excitement and enthusiasm when participating in the program, and felt proud to contribute to cleaning up the marine environment, collecting waste to help the beach in Can Thanh town, Can Gio district become cleaner.

In addition to cleaning up, international students also had the opportunity to exchange and interact with local people through the garbage exchange for gifts and the seminar "Environmental Education”. With enthusiasm and curiosity when approaching real life in the localities, Lao and Cambodian students actively integrated and cooperated with Vietnamese students to carry out the work of preparing to organize the activities.

Activity of exchanging plastic for gifts

This activity has contributed to raising the awareness of international students about marine environmental protection,while also strengthening the solidarity and exchange between students from different countries. And with the solidarity and tireless efforts of over 77 volunteers and local residents, it has proven that every small action can make a big contribution to protecting and maintaining the beauty of nature. Hopefully, through this program, students and the community will recognize the importance of environmental protection and join hands for a cleaner, greener planet.