From early morning, the atmosphere at the park became vibrant as young people excitedly "checked in" with the green mascot "La La", printed their fingerprints to commit to working for the environment, participated in games and received gifts from the organizers.

Ready to change your lifestyle

Duong Khanh Linh - a first-year student at Van Hien University - shared that she learned about the program through the Youth Union. As soon as she heard about the "Green Vietnam" program, she proactively registered to participate because she has always loved environmental protection activities and was especially inspired by Miss Intercontinental 2022 Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc.

Khanh Linh said she has maintained the habit of sorting garbage at home with three separate bins: organic waste, inorganic waste, and limited the use of plastic packaging and plastic bottles and cups.

"I believe that small but persistent actions will create change. When I do well, it will also create a ripple effect, and friends and relatives around me will see and follow," Linh said.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Bach Thien Huong, a student at Ho Chi Minh City Open University, said she has given up single-use plastic bottles. What she feels most proud of is that her school always has two water purifiers available, making it easy for lecturers and students to use their own bottles instead of buying bottled water. Huong also said that many of her classmates have developed the habit of bringing their own water bottles to school.

According to Hoang Vu, a second-year student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry, the biggest barrier for students when adopting a green lifestyle is finance. However, Vu affirmed that he is still willing to support and use green products when possible.

At the event, many young people excitedly shared about the green actions they had taken, and expressed their expectations for new and exciting activities within the framework of the Green Vietnam 2025 program.

Green Vietnam 2025: Commitment and more drastic action

Sharing at the launching ceremony, Mr. Ngo Minh Hai, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, expected the "Green Vietnam" program to contribute to honoring businesses and start-ups pursuing green business models, green products and green consumption. At the same time, the program also promotes green living awareness in the community, especially the youth, creating a sustainable living environment.

Mr. Nguyen Gia Huy Chuong - General Director of PRO Vietnam Packaging Recycling Joint Stock Company - said that after one year of implementing Green Vietnam, businesses participating in the program have achieved significant progress in implementing environmental protection initiatives.

Following on from the first season, Mr. Chuong said that the "Green Vietnam" program season 2 aims to improve the effectiveness of implementing environmental protection initiatives, not only inheriting the success of the previous season but also aiming for further steps in sustainable development.

“Action plans will be developed more specifically, not only focusing on environmental protection but also promoting the participation of businesses, organizations and the young generation,” Mr. Chuong affirmed.

Sharing with Tuoi Tre Online, Miss Intercontinental 2022 Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc said that with the theme "Promoting green consumption" of Green Vietnam season 2, she has built her own program called "Change Zero - Youth for sustainable development".

This is an initiative accompanying "Green Vietnam" to mobilize young people to participate in environmental protection. According to Ngoc, climate change is becoming increasingly severe, and the best way to respond is to change consumption habits. Each individual needs to reduce waste, focus on responsible consumption and prioritize environmentally friendly products.

Bao Ngoc said she especially wants to spread the message to young people and believes that in order for young people to truly act for the environment, they need to feel the urgency of this issue through their own personal experiences, not just stop at theory or information in books and newspapers.

"I want to arouse empathy, so that young people realize the importance of protecting the planet - not out of obligation, but for their own future. Our lives start from green. If we continue to take away the green of the Earth, it means we are taking away our own lives and the lives of future generations" - Bao Ngoc sent a message to the community.

Bao Ngoc hopes that with the consensus of young people, businesses and the whole society, the journey of environmental protection will not only stop at words, but will become practical actions to help preserve the green color for future generations.

Efforts for a green - clean - beautiful Vietnam

Packaging Recycling Alliance Vietnam (PRO Vietnam) has established a reputation in packaging collection and recycling activities, and affirmed its role in promoting the circular economy.