Hanoi (VNA)𓆉 - To celebrate the 66th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s launch of the New Year tree planting festival, the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the Lunar New Year of the Snake in 2025, on February 4, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with the People's Committee of Thai Binh Province, organised the tree planting festival themed “Forever grateful to Uncle Ho”.

This event also aligned with the observance of World Wetlands Day 2025 at the Thai Thuy Wetland Nature Reserve in the northern province of Thai Binh. At the event, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy, along with leaders of the Thai Binh Provincial People's Committee and representatives from various organisations, associations, and local residents, planted 1,000 Sonneratia caseolaris trees. This initiative serves as a foundation for launching a broader movement to plant trees in coastal wetland areas, fostering sustainable ecosystems, mitigating climate change impacts, preventing natural disasters, and supporting local livelihoods.

Everyone should plant at least one tree

Speaking at the event, Minister Do Duc Duy emphasised that spring marks the beginning of the year, symbolising growth, renewal, and prosperity. President Ho Chi Minh once taught that every individual should plant at least one tree during Tet to contribute to a greener homeland and nation. As a result, the tree planting festival has become a cherished tradition for the entire Party, army, and people every Tet holiday. For this year’s festival, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with its partners, donated 10,000 kandelia candel and sonneratia caseolaris trees to the Thai Thuy Wetland Nature Reserve and local residents. These native tree species are well-suited to the natural conditions of Thai Binh’s wetlands, helping preserve biodiversity, protect wetland ecosystems, prevent natural disasters and saltwater intrusion, reinforce coastal defenses, and provide sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Timely recognition, and proactive deforestation prevention

Recalling President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching, “For the benefit of ten years, plant trees; for the benefit of a hundred years, cultivate people,” Minister Do Duc Duy emphasised that to make the tree planting festival truly meaningful and bring practical benefits to both the country and its people, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment encourages ministries, local authorities, businesses, international organisations in Vietnam, as well as every family and individual, to actively participate in tree planting initiatives nationwide. Additionally, ministries, local authorities, organisations, and associations should intensify public awareness campaigns to promote tree planting not only during the Lunar New Year, but throughout the spring and the entire year whenever weather conditions are favorable. The goal is to spread the message that tree planting is a “low-cost but highly beneficial” activity, as President Ho Chi Minh once stated, contributing significantly to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration. The Minister also called on ministries, local authorities, organisations, and social groups to strengthen nature-based and community-based solutions. He urged all members of society to work together to prevent illegal deforestation, enhance public awareness campaigns, and provide knowledge and skills for forest protection and planting. In particular, protecting mangrove forests and conserving biodiversity are crucial tasks, as they not only sustain ecosystems but also protect sea dikes, limit saltwater intrusion, reduce the impact of climate change, and create sustainable livelihoods for the people, Minister Do Duc Duy emphasised./.