Vietnam has been enduring significant effects of climate change, particularly in river basins and coastal areas. In coastal regions, rising sea levels are leading to shoreline erosion and loss or reduction of arable land, and increasing salinisation risks and damage to mangrove ecosystems, directly impacting local livelihoods.
Many solutions to combat climate change have been implemented, among which the “Action for a Green Vietnam” programme is a key initiative by Unilever, actively contributing to environmental restoration and reducing the damages caused by climate change in Vietnam.
120,000 mangrove trees to protect Ca Mau’s sea dykes
Vietnam currently has approximately 200,000 ha of mangrove forests, with Ca Mau Province alone featuring over 90,000 ha of coverage along its 254-km coastline. Ca Mau is one of the regions most affected by coastal erosion, with increasingly extreme forecasts.
To mitigate these effects, the Natural Resources and Environment Communication Centre under the Ministry Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with Ca Mau’s provincial youth union, Unilever Vietnam, and the Omo brand, has launched a project to plant 120,000 mangrove trees along the alluvial area of the western sea dyke in Khanh Binh Tay Commune, Tran Van Thoi District. The initiative aims to restore the local mangrove ecosystem, combat coastal erosion, and preserve biodiversity.
During the planting activity, Nguyen Van Vang, a village leader in Khanh Binh Tay Commune, shared: “This area is always threatened by coastal erosion. The erosion not only poses risks but also greatly impacts the livelihoods of residents. Although the government has constructed wave barriers, planting trees to reinforce the mangrove ecosystem is essential to prevent erosion. We will continue to monitor and nurture the trees so they can grow strong and withstand the changing climate.”
This is part of the 2024 “Action for a Green Vietnam” programme. This year, the programme is set to plant 160,000 trees across the three provinces of Ca Mau, Quang Nam, and Kon Tum. In addition to the mangroves in Ca Mau, the programme will plant 20,000 cinnamon trees in Quang Nam and 20,000 pine trees in Dak Nong, aiming to combat climate change and natural disasters, enhance forest coverage, reforest barren lands, and support local communities in developing sustainable livelihoods.
Efforts for green forests across Vietnam
The “Action for a Green Vietnam” programme, with the goal of planting one million trees to create Vietnam’s green shield by 2025, aligns with the government’s initiative to plant one billion trees under the “For a Green Vietnam” project (2021–2025). It also supports the national environmental protection goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
At the tree-planting ceremony in Ca Mau, Vu Minh Ly, Deputy Director of the Natural Resources and Environment Communication Centre, stated: “Through this programme, we hope to engage the community in environmental protection. More importantly, we aim to join hands in creating a better living environment, not just for today but also for future generations.”
By 2024, the programme has spanned numerous provinces across Vietnam, from Quang Binh, Quang Nam, and Thaa Thien Hue to Ha Giang, Ha Noi, and Ho Chi Minh City. These efforts have significantly contributed to watershed protection, erosion control, increased forest coverage, and the creation of a “green lung” to filter dust and improve air quality.
Beyond supporting the government’s one-billion-tree initiative, the “Action for a Green Vietnam” programme is a proactive effort by Unilever to demonstrate its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
Le Thi Hong Nhi, Unilever’s Director of Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainable Development, stated: “Throughout our 29 years in Vietnam, Unilever has nurtured a deep love for this land through practical actions. Together with the community, we aim to protect and beautify our shared home. Beyond caring for each household, Unilever has embarked on a long-term journey to build a greener, more prosperous Vietnam, where everyone feels the love and connection from the bottom of their hearts.”
The enduring journey of sowing green seeds across the country reflects Unilever’s heartfelt commitment to preserving Vietnam’s shared home. To date, the programme has planted over 690,000 trees and sown 60,000 seed balls across 19 provinces and nine national parks. Tree-planting activities in schools and forests and through social media campaigns have contributed to creating a “green shield” for Vietnam’s shared home.
