Environmental Education Activities in Vietnam

In recent years, under the guidance of the Vietnamese government, Vietnam has attached great importance to the dissemination, popularization, and education of environmental protection laws. To raise public awareness, a series of measures have been implemented nationwide, including the distribution of educational materials and visual content; media campaigns through print, radio, and television; as well as various writing, art, and environmental legislation knowledge contests. In addition, annual activities have been systematically and consistently organized to encourage public participation in environmental protection efforts.

An initial environmental education network has been established, promoting coordinated development of environmental education and training across the country, while also achieving significant progress in regional and international cooperation. The National Environmental Annual Report is regularly prepared and widely disseminated to raise public awareness. A comprehensive environmental information and data management system has been built and strengthened to support national environmental protection management. Numerous volunteer environmental organizations have emerged, actively engaging in environmental initiatives. Furthermore, a large number of innovative and exemplary environmental protection models have been cultivated and effectively promoted, making positive contributions to advancing sustainability efforts.

To improve environmental awareness, foster critical thinking, and empower the younger generation—the future stewards of our planet—to adopt sustainable lifestyles, protect natural resources and biodiversity, address climate change, and reduce carbon footprints through everyday actions in pursuit of a net-zero future by 2050, the Communication Center for Natural Resources and Environment (CNREC), in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partner organizations, has organized a series of environmental education activities.

One of the highlights of these initiatives is the Global Youth Summit – Vietnam 2024, under the theme “Take Action – Reduce Carbon Emissions.” The summit was held from July 16 to 21, 2024, at An Lac Eco-farm and Hot Spring in Kim Boi District, Hoa Binh Province. The program aimed to promote healthy, sustainable lifestyles among young people and encourage practical actions to reduce carbon emissions.

The summit’s key activities included:

• Forum and Dialogue: “Carbon Footprints and the Role of Global Youth” – a platform for experts and young people to share stories of green living and sustainable action, emphasizing the crucial role of youth in advancing national sustainable development.

• Competition: Presentation of Initiatives/Projects and Sustainable Environmental Solutions – participants showcased innovative ideas, models, and solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The contest encouraged young people to turn their ideas into concrete community-benefiting actions.

• Recycling Workshops and Interactive Activities – including “Trash-to-Tree,” denim recycling, and 3D ink painting, designed to cultivate environmental habits such as waste segregation at source and creative reuse of materials.

• Tree Planting for Carbon Reduction – promoting forest conservation and tree planting as effective strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

• Field Trips and Learning Experiences – offering participants opportunities to explore local climate impacts and gain insights into green energy models and technologies, providing hands-on understanding of sustainable transitions in real life.

A distinctive feature of the summit was its “No Single-Use Plastics” policy—all participants were required to bring reusable water bottles and avoid disposable plastic products. This reinforced the event’s green objectives and encouraged healthy, eco-friendly lifestyles.

The summit was expected to attract more than 100 delegates and students from Vietnam and abroad, who contributed innovative and sustainable projects such as battery recycling, organic waste treatment, and green school transportation solutions. Selected initiatives received support for practical implementation and community impact. All participants were awarded certificates and gifts to recognize their creativity, environmental awareness, and contributions to sustainable development and climate action.

At the Global Youth Summit, the urgency of youth-led climate action was strongly emphasized. During the panel discussion “The Role of Young Generations in Climate Change,” student representatives and officials from CNREC shared important insights on environmental responsiveness and the critical involvement of young people in climate action.