A Vietnamese turtle conservation activist and a leader of a community collecting waste have been honored at the 17th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment held in Vientiane, Laos this week.  

Nguyen Hong Minh, a sea turtle conservation activist and founder of the Simple Heart project to recycle old paper and plastic bottles, was named the ASEAN Youth Eco-Champion in the 26-35 age group.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Chau Bao, leader of the Act-Now Team, which gathers many young people to participate in the community anti-littering campaign in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, was named in the 18-25 age group.

Nhon Nghia 1 Primary School represents Vietnam to receive the Primary School award. Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn

In addition, two Vietnamese schools were also honored at the 4th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Eco-Schools Award.

Specifically, Nhon Nghia 1 in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho was recognized in the primary school category, while Yen Lac in the northern province of Vinh Phuc was named in the list of eco-secondary schools.

At the award ceremony, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan congratulated these two Vietnamese schools and two individuals. 

Nguyen Chau Bao receives the ASEAN Youth Ecological Champion award for the category of 18-25 years old. Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn

"I hope that in the future, these schools and young people will continue to spread the meaning of ASEAN Eco-School and ASEAN Young Eco-Champion in Vietnam, contributing to environmental education and communication activities, especially in the context that Vietnam and other ASEAN countries are actively handling environmental pollution and coping with climate change," Nhan said.

As of 2023, Vietnam has had eight eco-schools and four young eco-champions.

The nomination of these schools is based on their active participation in environmental protection from 2019 to 2023, and setting an example for their respective local or foreign schools to follow.

The representatives will also participate in workshops and school visits to share best practices in ASEAN schools and have the opportunity to interact with the ASEAN Eco-Schools Award and ASEAN Youth Eco-Champions Award (AYECA) winners from other ASEAN countries.

The ASEAN Eco-Schools Award and the ASEAN Youth Eco-Champions Award are held every four years to recognize schools and young people from ASEAN member countries who have demonstrated best practices in the Green Schools Program and outstanding achievements in environmental education activities.

The award also encourages the involvement of others in the implementation of the green initiatives, intending to highlight schools that show leadership and take action to promote environmental awareness in all aspects of education and the surrounding communities.