Local residents can get 1kg of rice for each kg of plastics or recyclable waste. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City is trying to tackle the scourge ofplastic waste by offering rice to residents in return for their trash.
Local residents canget 1kg of rice for each kg of plastics or recyclable waste, and each of themcan exchange a maximum amount of 10kg of waste.
Since the programmewas rolled out in early September, authorities have collected more than 1 tonnes oftrash for recycling.
Pham Ngoc Minh, VicePresident of the district’s Fatherland Front Committee, said apart fromenvironmental protection, the programme aims to support local residents amidstCOVID-19.
The exchange is heldweekly and will last until December, she said, adding that the programme isfinanced by organisations and businesses in HCM City.
According to theofficial, more than 4 tonnes of rice have been mobilised for the programme sofar. Along with rice, residents can get other necessities like cooking oil andsalt, and plants.
Not only residents inDistrict 1 but also those in other localities can also join the programme, Minhsaid.
Vietnamis one of Asia’s five worst polluters of ocean plasticwaste, according tointernational organisations. With 13 million tonnes of waste released to theocean every year, the country ranks 17th in the world for ocean plasticwaste pollution.
Although there are no official statistics on the amount andvarieties of plastic in the Vietnamese sea and islands, plastic waste is easyto see in Vietnamese waters, with the country’s 112 estuaries the main gatewaysof plastic to the ocean. Statistics from Vietnam’s Association of Plastic illustrate thescale of the problem. In 1990, each Vietnamese consumed 3.8kg of plastic peryear, but 25 years later, the figure hit 41kg. As many as 1,000 plastic bags are used each minute but only27 percent of them are treated and recycled. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment estimatedthat about 80 tonnes of plastic waste and bags are thrown away every day inHanoi and Ho Chi Minh City combined./.
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The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
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Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
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Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
Local residents can get 1kg of rice for each kg of plastics or recyclable waste. (Photo: VNA) 
