The Australian government, a member of the "2012 Making the World Cleaner" campaign, is helping Vietnam with its own clean-up movement, which is taking place from September 14-16.
The campaign was officially launched in Danang on September 15 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), the city’s Municipal People’s Committee and the Australian embassy in Vietnam.
Australian Ambassador Hugh Borrowman said the campaign was initiated 19 years ago by Ian Kierman, an Australian yachtsman, and it has now become a global event involving millions of volunteers from 130 countries.
The Australian embassy has been proud to support Vietnam’s annual efforts to make the world cleaner since 1994, he said.
MoNRE Deputy Minister Bui Canh Tuyen urged Vietnamese people across the country to join hands in practical activities to protect the environment such as Volunteer Saturday, Green Sunday and No Plastic Bags Day.
They can also contribute by planting trees for the ““One Million Green Trees for Vietnam” Fund, he added.
He said these activities their show responsibility towards society and will help minimize the negative impacts of climate change and rising sea levels.
After the launch ceremony, a large number of local people planted more than 300 trees around Son Tra district.
They also cleaned up the city's beaches and collected garbage from its canals and sewers.
A festival is also being held in Danang displaying photographs of environmental disasters and ocean pollution, as well as a contest for making things out of recycled materials and a conference to share experiences of models for renewable energy and cutting edge waste treatment technology.
The same day the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City launched a programme to clean the Ta Kou Nature Reserve in the southern province of Binh Thuan, which drew the participation of more than 1,000 local residents.
On September 16, Australian agencies in Ho Chi Minh City will also take part in the campaign in Thu Duc district.
Australian Consul General John McAnulty said the participation of thousands of volunteers from Binh Thuan and Ho Chi Minh City shows Vietnam’s strong commitment to protecting its environment.
