Planting seeds in the ancestral land is planting seeds of meaning for the future.
On the morning of March 10th (lunar calendar), amidst the sacred space of the Temple of National Mother Au Co and the Temple of National Ancestor Lac Long Quan, hundreds of delegates turned their thoughts towards the origins of the nation in the program "Garden of Gratitude to Uncle Ho" - an event connecting the ritual of paying tribute to the National Mother and National Ancestor with the activity of donating and planting 54 native kapok trees, symbolizing the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.
More than just a tree-planting activity, the program also opens up a green communication journey with cultural depth: launching a global online competition to select "Communication Ambassadors" and "Communication Ambassadors" with the message "Plant Trees, Cultivate People," aiming towards the "National Tree Planting Day" Festival and, further, an initiative from Vietnam proposing to designate a day as " World Tree Planting Day."
From Hung Temple – a place every Vietnamese person visits to remember the merits of their ancestors – the message of tree planting is rooted in the moral principle of "drinking water, remember the source," and "eating the fruit, remember the tree planter." Each tree planted not only beautifies the landscape, conserves soil and water, and helps mitigate climate change, but also reminds today's generation of their responsibility to preserve the beautiful land and heritage left by their forefathers.
Zen Master Thich Phuc Phong, Head of the "Garden of Gratitude to Uncle Ho" program and Head of the Organizing Committee of the competition, emphasized that the core spirit of the program is to awaken in the community a love for nature, gratitude for our origins, and a sense of responsible living. According to Zen Master Thich Phuc Phong, "planting trees" is not just an ecological act, but also a way of "cultivating people" - building character, nurturing compassion, a sense of service, and the virtues of the descendants of the Hung Kings in the new era.
That message also serves as the common thread throughout the competition: encouraging everyone, especially young people, students, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends who love nature, to tell their story through writing, videos, music , poetry, diaries, memoirs, or other digital creative products.
When each entry is a "seed of inspiration"
According to the regulations, the competition is held online and is open to Vietnamese citizens both domestically and abroad, the overseas Vietnamese community, and global citizens who enjoy planting trees. Entries can be written articles no longer than 1,800 words or videos /clips no longer than 3 minutes; they must be in Vietnamese or other languages with a Vietnamese translation.
The competition focuses on feelings, opinions, and inspiring stories about the call for "Tree Planting Festival" and President Ho Chi Minh's philosophy of "For the benefit of ten years, plant trees; for the benefit of a hundred years, cultivate people"; while also honoring practical models, initiatives, and actions in tree planting, environmental protection, and promoting a green lifestyle.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Phan Huong Giang, a member of the Organizing Committee, emphasized the significance of tree planting in adapting to climate change and protecting the living environment. According to her, each sapling planted not only adds greenery to today but also represents a sustainable solution to conserve soil and water, reduce the impact of natural disasters, improve ecosystems, and increase the community's resilience to increasingly extreme climate changes. “ Planting a sapling is sowing a seed of life, preserving a green sky, and sending hope to future generations. In the context of climate change increasingly impacting human life, every green action today is a commitment of responsibility to the future,” Ms. Phan Huong Giang shared.
Mr. Vu Minh Thao, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Youth Support Center, affirmed the role of young people in spreading the message of tree planting more widely in life. According to Mr. Thao, through concrete actions such as planting trees, caring for trees, and protecting the living environment, the younger generation can learn great lessons about responsibility, discipline, gratitude, and the aspiration to contribute: "Young people should not only plant more green trees for the country, but also cultivate themselves into strong 'trees of life' - possessing knowledge, character, courage, and love for the Fatherland."
The participation of young people, youth organizations, schools, and the Vietnamese community both domestically and abroad is expected to create a positive media wave. Each article, video, and story shared on digital platforms will be a way to spread the message of "planting trees, cultivating people" further – from the homeland to all corners of the country, from Vietnam to international friends.
Spreading the message of a green Vietnam to the world.
A notable aspect of the competition is its open spirit and global connectivity. Participants can enter in multiple languages; entries are posted and shared on digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and the program's Fanpage to acknowledge the timeline, authorship, and increase reach.
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The Organizing Committee also stated that 100% of the entry fees are sponsored for both domestic and international contestants, aiming to make it possible for anyone who loves trees, the environment, and Vietnam to participate.
Originating from the Ancestral Land, the "Tree Planting Ambassador" and "Tree Planting Child Ambassador" competitions are therefore more than just a media platform. They are an invitation for the community to act together; a bridge connecting the past with the future; a way for every Vietnamese person, wherever they may be, to contribute a green sapling to the journey of building a peaceful, humane, and sustainable nation. Because when a tree is planted, it's not just the beginning of life. It's also a promise to our ancestors, to our country, and to future generations: to preserve our roots, nurture our people, and make Vietnam greener in the hearts of the world.
Source: https://vtv.vn/phat-dong-cuoc-thi-dai-su-trong-cay-nhi-su-trong-cay-gieo-mam-xanh-huong-ve-nguon-coi-100730434137103209.htm
