Provinces launch tree planting festivals to support one billion tree programme

A number of localities launched tree planting festivals on February 17 as part of this year’s efforts in response to the Government’s programme on planting one billion trees to 2025.

Forces in Yen Bai Province participate in the tree planting festival. (Photo: NDO)
Forces in Yen Bai Province participate in the tree planting festival. (Photo: NDO)

>>> Military units take part in tree planting festival

At the launch in the northern province of Phu Tho, Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Bui Van Quang said that following late President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings, the tree planting festival held every spring has become a tradition around the country over the last 60 years and more.

Quang called on all-level authorities, sectors, agencies, economic organisations, armed forces, and people in Phu Tho to support the programme on planting one billion trees and to step up afforestation and forest protection.

The province is set to grow 1.5 million scattered trees this year.

In Ninh Binh, meanwhile, a ceremony was also organised to mark the tree planting festival and support the one billion tree programme.

The northern province is looking to have an additional 5.5 million trees and 200 ha of forest in the 2021-2025 period, including one million trees and 40 hectares of forest this year.

Similar activities took place in the provinces of Thai Binh, Yen Bai, Ha Nam and Lang Son on February 17.

On November 28, 1959, President Ho Chi Minh wrote an article published in Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper stressing the significance of tree planting for each person, each family, and the entire nation. Since the first tree planting festival was held in the spring of 1960, the activity has become a common practice whenever a new year arrives.