On the morning of September 19, 2026, the “World Cleanup Day 2026” campaign in Hanoi officially took place at the Me Tri Ha Underground Parking Park area (Pham Hung Street, Tu Liem Ward, Hanoi). The event attracted hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers, aiming to raise public awareness, stop plastic waste right at the source, and promote a circular economy model for sustainable cities.
With plastic waste becoming one of today’s greatest environmental challenges, the 2026 campaign strategically focuses on tackling plastic pollution. This is a common type of waste, but it can be entirely prevented and controlled through a shift from awareness to action. Through direct waste collection and sorting, the program calls on the community to reduce single-use plastics, increase recycling, and manage resources efficiently, contributing to the development of green and sustainable cities.
This year’s event was honored to welcome Ms. Siisi Saetalu, Chargé d’Affaires of Estonia in Vietnam. In her opening speech, Ms. Saetalu emphasized: “World Cleanup Day is not just about picking up trash; it is a story about each person taking responsibility for the place they live. No matter how far the geographical distance is between Hanoi and Tallinn, or Vietnam and Estonia, we all share the same goal. World Cleanup Day is the clearest proof of the wonderful things that can happen when people are determined to take action. When one person picks up a small piece of trash, others see it, join in, and continue to inspire those around them. From there, a small initial action grows into the power of a whole collective.”
Ms. Nguyen Thi Cam Tu, National Coordinator of Let’s Do It Vietnam and World Cleanup Day in Vietnam, shared: “Plastic waste is not only a threat to our ecosystems but also a reflection of our unsustainable consumption habits. This year’s campaign goes beyond simply picking up trash; it aims to change our mindset: stopping waste at the source and treating waste as a resource that must be returned to the circular economy. Every small action by each individual today is the foundation for creating cities with less plastic in the future.”
The program was organized with the permission and active support of the Tu Liem Ward People’s Committee, along with the companionship and sponsorship of businesses committed to sustainable development. These included Honda Vietnam, Unilever Vietnam, Easia Travel, Fashion Garments 2 (FGL), The Body Shop, and the Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Sayaka Arai, General Director of Honda Vietnam, stated: “Honda Vietnam believes that real and lasting changes can only be made when everyone joins hands to act. We hope that today’s World Cleanup Day will not stop as just a one-day activity, but will serve as a reminder that every small action is meaningful. When we act together, small deeds are multiplied and spread throughout the community.”
At the cleanup site, volunteers received detailed instructions on safety and waste sorting techniques before beginning the collection. As a result, the Hanoi event attracted more than 550 volunteers and collected a total of 1.7 tons of waste, the majority of which consisted of household plastics, single-use packaging, and cigarette butts.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoan, a student from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, shared her feelings after the event: “When I saw my small action being supported and followed by others, I clearly felt the power of team spirit. Participating in today’s event gives students like me more confidence that the younger generation can absolutely create positive changes for the community, starting from the smallest habits.”
In addition to the central event in Hanoi, the World Cleanup Day 2026 campaign was simultaneously rolled out by Let’s Do It Vietnam in many provinces and cities across the country, including Hai Phong, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho. In total, over 10,000 volunteers across 22 provinces and cities joined forces for a zero-waste Vietnam.
