Plastic waste in Vietnam’s waterways and coastlines directly affects the general tourism industry and the first impression visitors get of Vietnam but is also a source of toxic contamination and environmental pollution for local populations.
At Les Rives people decided to take action to improve the situation where they can, and help raise awareness among clients, local partners, stakeholders and staff. That is why on August 20th 2017, they have launched the first initiative of the ‘Beautify Saigon’ cleanup project.
All about teamwork
This year 40 bags of trash were collected. Let’s Do It Ho Chi Minh City, Clean Up Vietnam, as well as local families, joined in to pick up trash along Thanh Da Island. The Coordinator of Let’s do it HCMC Lê Diễm Ái, deserves special thanks for his outstanding work in running the clean-up effort. Before the event, the professionalism of Dung Thùy Lê from Clean Up Vietnam also helped make the event a success. It would also be not possible without the tremendous work of the volunteers , particularly Nick Wade and his crew, and they thank the local authorities of Thanh Da for their cooperation in picking up all the collected trash.
Just the beginning
Despite the primary aim of the day being to help clean up this section of Thanh Da Island, the purpose is to raise awareness about this growing problem in Saigon and other parts of Vietnam. Plastic waste is very detrimental to local populations especially those living in close dependence with the waterways and relying on them for subsistence.
Offering cruises along the river, Les Rives are more than often in touch with the local populations who live there. Reminded everyday, it makes them particularly aware of this matter. By getting involved, this company in the tourism industry hopes to be able to contribute to its’ reduction in the coming years with the support of their friends and partners.
