Joining Hands to Protect Public Spaces and Historical Sites
Phu Dien Lake is located in a residential area of Phu Dien Ward, near the Phu Dien Martyrs’ Memorial and the historical site commemorating President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Kieu Mai. These places are closely connected to the history and cultural life of the local community.
Although local authorities and residents regularly work to preserve the area, improper waste disposal remains a persistent problem. In particular, the lack of adequate waste bins around the lake makes it difficult to maintain environmental sanitation and the surrounding landscape.
In response to this situation, Keep Vietnam Clean, with funding from Pacific Environment, partnered with the Phu Dien Ward Women’s Union to organize a cleanup event in support of World Cleanup Day 2026. The activity aimed to clean up the area, raise community awareness, and encourage practices that reduce plastic waste.
Pacific Environment and Resources Center and Keep Vietnam Clean are both members of the Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance (VZWA), working together to translate commitments to reducing waste pollution into practical community action.
More Than 254 Kilograms of Waste Collected
The event mobilized 35 volunteers, 41 members of the Phu Dien Ward Women’s Union, and many local residents.
During the morning, participants cleaned up the areas surrounding Phu Dien Lake, the Phu Dien Martyrs’ Memorial, and the historical site commemorating President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Kieu Mai. A total of 254.5 kilograms of waste was collected and transported to designated treatment facilities, helping restore a greener, cleaner, and more attractive environment.
The cleanup also revealed a significant amount of discarded single-use plastic. While higher-value materials such as PET bottles are often separated and collected, many contaminated, low-value plastics remain in the environment because appropriate collection and treatment solutions are not yet available.
Inspiring Action for a Zero-Waste Vietnam
Beyond its immediate cleanup results, the event helped strengthen community responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in public spaces and at historical sites. Communications published before, during, and after the event generated a combined total of 44,258 views and impressions across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
The activity highlighted the need for the continued involvement of local authorities, community organizations, and residents in maintaining the landscape around Phu Dien Lake. Installing additional waste bins or appropriate collection points, strengthening monitoring, and continuing public communication on proper waste disposal and reducing single-use plastics are among the solutions that should be advanced in the future.
Through collaboration among Pacific Environment, Keep Vietnam Clean, and local partners, the activity reaffirmed the connecting and action-oriented role of Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance members in reducing waste pollution, protecting the environment, and building sustainable communities across Vietnam.
