“The community is a big family that lives under the same roof, which is our environment. Loving the environment and the community is also loving our home and ourselves," Nguyen Ba Hoi (a native of Phu Yen, now living in Ho Chi Minh City) told VietNamNet when asked why he shows so much love for the environment.

His homeland was his source of inspiration.

When he had the opportunity to live and study in Ho Chi Minh City, he felt it became his second homeland. He conveyed his love for the environment by many practical activities when he was a college student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City.

“Back then, some friends and I saved money to buy trash cans or asked for them from places and then together we would go to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. The purpose was to guide people to properly classify waste, and to encourage them to collect and dispose of garbage in the correct place. Fortunately, later the places we went to are now cleaner and more beautiful. That was the biggest encouragement for me in my journey to protect the environment,” Hoi recalled.

After graduating, he worked at the Environmental Protection Department under HCM City’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

One of the challenges Hoi still faces is the problem of reducing single-use plastic. 

“Currently, many countries around the world have restricted or banned the use of single-use plastic products. In my opinion, it is a remarkable step forward and also a challenge that I have set for myself in publicizing environmental protection to the people," said Hoi.

"Garbage is not necessarily disposable; it can become a resource when recycled properly. But garbage will become a great burden on the environment if disposed of indiscriminately without awareness. The of waste is extremely important.

“We as humans must connect with the environment to exist and maintain life on earth. The association's work today may be a small contribution, but it inspires many people as baby steps towards bringing practical benefits to the environment, "said Hoi.

Every week, Hoi join hands with friends and university students to carry out a number of activities such as picking up trash along the river, planting trees, and giving away trash cans inside and outside the city area.

Besides his love for the environment, Hoi is a Buddhist and an organ donor with the hope of helping and bringing happiness to others.

Tri Dung - Nguyen Minh