Let's work together to clean up the sea.

Along the eastern coast of Dak Lak, the sight of volunteers in blue shirts, groups of environmental workers, and locals carrying garbage bags has become familiar. Thanks to their efforts, the sea is becoming cleaner, greener, and filled with the pride of those who are silently preserving the beauty of their homeland.

Early in the morning on Phu Yen ward beach, as the sun just rose above the horizon, hundreds of footprints were imprinted on the sand. These weren't tourists strolling, but young volunteers cleaning the beach. The young people divided themselves into small groups; some picked up plastic bags washed ashore, others gathered torn fishing nets, plastic bottles, and empty cans… Each full bag of trash was tied tightly and carried to a collection point for transport. The green of the youth volunteers' shirts blended with the golden sand, creating a vibrant scene of dawn.

“We regularly organize clean-up campaigns early in the morning, both to avoid the harsh sun and to collect trash before tourists arrive for swimming. This is not just a cleaning activity, but also a message: the beauty of the beach is thanks to the collective efforts of everyone,” shared Huynh Quoc Toan, Secretary of the Youth Union of Phu Yen Ward.

Youth Union members from Phu Yen ward participated in cleaning up trash and beautifying the beach.

In the distance, where the waves still steadily lap against the shore, the figure of an elderly man with white hair can be seen. He is thin but sturdy, his steps quick and nimble, his shoulders slightly hunched but never slowing down. He hunches over, meticulously picking up plastic bags and empty bottles mixed in the sand, as if gathering the pristine essence of the sea. This is Mr. Nguyen Sen, over 80 years old, a resident of Phu Yen ward known to everyone as the "silent sea cleaner."

According to the locals, he has been doing this job for many years, regardless of the weather, whether it's sunny or pouring rain. While the city is still asleep, at 4 a.m. he leaves his house more than 5 km from the beach on his old bicycle. Just minutes after parking his bike on the sand, he begins his "shift": a headlamp, a sack in one hand, and the other constantly bent down picking up trash, each step leaving long imprints on the damp sand...

His route stretched over 500 meters along the beach. As he walked, he scanned the area for tiny pieces of trash, often just scraps of fishing line or torn nets. He would pull each full trash bag to the collection point and then return to continue. Only when the long stretch of sand was clean, free of any plastic bottles or nylon bags, did he stop, wipe the sweat from his forehead, and let out a soft, relieved smile.

When I tried to strike up a conversation, he only responded briefly before bending down to work again. "I volunteer to pick up trash because I see so much of it polluting the marine environment," he said, adjusting the garbage bag on his shoulder. For him, this wasn't just about keeping the sea clean, but also a way to exercise and a joy in his old age.

At the end of the morning, he leisurely wheeled his bicycle away from the beach as the sun rose higher. The sight of Mr. Sen touched many young people. They came to help him carry the bags of trash to the collection point. The atmosphere became even more lively as they worked together.

For many years, the Vietnam Green Community Group - Phu Yen Branch has collaborated with numerous organizations and associations in the province to organize programs to protect the marine environment. Many programs have been jointly organized by the group, such as: Green Sunday, the Green City campaign, the Clean Up Vietnam campaign… with the participation of hundreds of students, volunteers, and other participants. According to Mr. Tran Tinh, a member of the group, in addition to organizing clean-up campaigns, the group members also conduct awareness campaigns to educate students, young people, and residents living along the coast about preserving the marine ecosystem.

After 9 PM each day, when the number of tourists thins out, environmental workers begin cleaning up the trash on the beach.

In addition, coastal tourism businesses have also joined the effort. Many resorts and restaurants along the beach have maintained daily cleanup activities and are gradually replacing single-use plastic items with environmentally friendly materials. Some establishments even encourage tourists to participate in morning "green hour" - where staff and guests work together to pick up trash and clean the beach before starting a new day.

The movement's spread has drawn the participation of the local community. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc, a resident of Tuy Hoa ward, happily said: "At first, when I saw young people picking up trash on the beach, I joined in. After a few times, it became a habit. Now, whenever I go swimming or for a walk on the beach, my friends and I always bring small bags to pick up trash. A clean beach makes everyone feel more comfortable."

To maintain the daily cleanliness of the coastline, environmental workers play a silent but crucial role. For many years, the Public Service Center, in coordination with Phu Yen Urban Environment Joint Stock Company, has organized garbage collection teams in the coastal areas of Tuy Hoa and Binh Kien wards. The work begins at 9 PM each day, when the number of tourists has decreased. Throughout that time, the workers diligently collect every plastic bag, bottle, and beer can left behind using a specialized garbage truck. Their work only ends when the beach is clean of trash.

According to Mr. Nguyen Le Vi Phuc, Secretary of the Party Committee of Binh Kien Ward, this is not the responsibility of any single sector or individual. We need the synchronized participation of organizations, the government, businesses, residents, and even tourists. Besides organizing clean-up campaigns, the ward regularly conducts awareness campaigns, encouraging residents to dispose of waste properly and reduce the use of plastic bags. Keeping the sea clean is not only about attracting tourists, but also about protecting the marine ecosystem, maintaining aquatic resources, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for coastal fishing communities.

Coastal cleanup movements have been strongly implemented in many coastal localities. In each place, marine environmental protection activities have different creative approaches, but the common thread remains unity and enthusiasm.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/moi-truong/202508/chung-tay-lam-sach-bien-dc01d28/