Con Dao island launches zero plastic waste programme
Local authorities of Con Dao Island District, off the coast of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), have launched a Zero Plastic Waste programme, aiming to eliminate single-use plastic products.
A woman shows a canvas bag as part of a programme to cut plastic bags and single-use plastic products on Con Dao Island of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. (Photo courtesy WWF)
Ba Ria-Vung Tau (VNS/VNA) - Local authorities of Con Dao IslandDistrict, off the coast of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, in cooperationwith the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), have launched a Zero PlasticWaste programme, aiming to eliminate single-use plastic products.
WWF said the programme, which involved 74 businesses from the district, aims toraise awareness among local islanders and tourists on reducing plastic bags andsingle-use plastic from their daily shop.
The programme offers support by providing free environmentally-friendly bagsinstead of plastic bags from shops.
Bags made from canvas are available at the Con Dao market desk.
Pham Bao An, an official from the island district’s nature resources and environmentdepartment said the island has contributed 70,000 tonnes of garbage to the BaiNhat dump, and has been polluting the environment and beach destinations.
He said the district and other agencies have been building a database onplastic bag and single-use plastic consumption to find the best solution tolimit harmful plastic waste pollution.
Con Dao Island, 97 nautical miles off the coast of Vung Tau city, is home to600ha of sea weed beds and 1,000ha of coral reefs.
Its pristine natural landscape has lured tourists to explore Con Dao Park andthe natural reserve.
The Con Dao National Park on Con Dao Island was recognised as an officialmember of the Indian Ocean-Southeast Asia (IOSEA), becoming the 11th member ofthe marine turtles conservation network in a meeting in 2019.
In Vietnam, only the Cham Islands – a World Biosphere Reserve site – is thefirst and most successful site banning the use of plastic bags among localislanders and tourists, while the ‘say no to single-use plastic straws andcups’ campaign was launched in early 2020.
A garbage sorting programme has been launched by the International Union forConservation of Nature (IUCN) to reduce plastic waste at 12 Marine ProtectedAreas nationwide. It will help build a database on plastic waste and offerpolicy advice on how to reduce and control plastic waste and plasticproduction.
According to Greenhub, an NGO, waste can be found along beaches from northern QuangNinh province to Con Dao Island in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, while plasticwaste accounts for 80 per cent of the total solid waste at 30 beaches in Vietnam./.
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The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
The dispatch noted that since the beginning of 2025, natural disasters have claimed 29 lives and left several others missing. A total of 67 houses have collapsed, and 2,342 homes have been unroofed or damaged.
A woman shows a canvas bag as part of a programme to cut plastic bags and single-use plastic products on Con Dao Island of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. (Photo courtesy WWF) 
