Green Island: [Part 1] Cham Island 'plastic-free'

DA NANG: Conservation is creating stable livelihoods, helping the people of Cu Lao Cham Island to make a living by preserving the blue sea, coral reefs, and natural environment.

17 years of persistent efforts to reduce plastic.

Early in the morning at Tan Hiep market on Cu Lao Cham island (Tan Hiep commune, Da Nang city), amidst the sounds of buyers and sellers and the smell of fresh seafood, Mrs. Mai Thi Nga nimbly wraps vegetables and meat for customers using old newspapers and woven mesh bags. For nearly two decades of trading on the island, she has almost never used plastic bags.

"We used to do it because we were afraid of being fined 500,000 dong, but now it's become a habit, and we don't find it difficult anymore. We've been using paper bags and woven bags for 17 years," Mrs. Nga said with a smile.

People on Cu Lao Cham Island use environmentally friendly bags such as reusable mesh bags and newspaper bags to replace plastic bags in their daily lives and businesses. Photo: LA .

The Cu Lao Cham Nature Reserve covers more than 23,500 hectares, of which nearly 21,900 hectares are marine area with a diverse ecosystem and many rare species such as lobsters, groupers, conch shells, giant clams, etc. On the island, more than 1,300 hectares of primary forest contribute to regulating water resources, preventing erosion, and protecting the natural landscape.

This small story from the market on that island reflects the significant transformation of Cu Lao Cham – once a struggling island commune, now a model for reducing plastic waste and developing a green marine economy in Vietnam.

Since 2009, Cham Island has launched a campaign to "Say No to Plastic Bags." Initially, the change was not easy. Locals were used to asking for plastic bags at the market, vendors were used to using convenient items, and tourists brought all kinds of disposable plastic bags to the island.

The local authorities then implemented several drastic measures: distributing plastic baskets to people going to the market, encouraging the use of paper bags, penalizing violations, and publicly reminding households that had not complied. Businesses were fined 1-2 million VND for violations, while small traders faced fines ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 VND. For individual households, the commune would publicly reprimand and criticize them, and revoke their "Cultural Family" title. Initially, it was simply a matter of following regulations, but gradually, reducing plastic use became a habit and a part of the daily lives of the island's residents.

Statistics show that MRF facilities have recovered approximately 51.42 kg of household solid waste per day, accounting for about 1.74% of the total household solid waste generated on the island. Photo: CLC.

Building on its initial success, Cu Lao Cham continues to "upgrade" its environmental protection activities. In 2018, the locality launched the "Say No to Plastic Straws" program; in 2019, it expanded to "Say No to Single-Use Plastic Items". Simultaneously, the "Tourists and Fishermen Bring Waste Ashore" campaign was launched, accompanied by commitments from tourism businesses to reduce plastic waste on the island.

Simultaneously, the Management Board of the Cu Lao Cham Nature Reserve, in coordination with local authorities, has implemented many practical models such as waste sorting at source, processing organic waste at resource restoration facilities (MRF), the "Ocean House" model mobilizing fishermen to collect waste at sea, a green business model that does not use single-use plastics, and a program for regularly cleaning beaches and coral reefs. In addition, all service businesses and households have signed commitments to minimize plastic waste and use environmentally friendly products.

Fishermen on Cu Lao Cham Island actively collect trash and bring it ashore, contributing to the protection of the marine ecosystem. Photo: LA

Following the anti-plastic waste revolutions, this strategically important island is now renowned as one of the most beautiful and pristine archipelagos in Vietnam. Currently, the island generates approximately 3-4 tons of waste daily, but the proportion of single-use plastics has dropped to only about 15%. These persistent efforts not only help protect the ecosystem but also lay the foundation for green and sustainable tourism development, contributing to the preservation of Cu Lao Cham's status as a World Biosphere Reserve.

Towards a sustainable blue economy.

Preserving the environment not only helps Cu Lao Cham protect its precious ecosystem but also opens up a path to sustainable development for the local people.

From an island commune whose livelihood depended primarily on marine exploitation, Cu Lao Cham has gradually transformed itself through ecotourism linked with nature conservation. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the average income of its residents was among the highest in the former Quang Nam province.

With around 44 homestays and accommodations directly managed by locals, the small island has become an attractive destination for tourists seeking to reconnect with nature and experience local culture.

As the summer tourist season begins, Cu Lao Cham Island welcomes an average of 2,000-3,000 visitors per day. Photo: LA

What's special about Cu Lao Cham is that the local people are not detached from the conservation effort but have become active participants in preserving their homeland's resources. Since 2011, the Bai Huong village co-management zone for marine conservation has become the first model in Vietnam to empower communities to manage resources. The people have jointly built coral nurseries to restore the ecosystem, deployed buoys to demarcate protected areas for coral reefs, breeding grounds, and spawning sites; and regularly patrolled and monitored the area to prevent encroachment on the conservation zone. Even the practice of labeling rock crabs demonstrates a spirit of responsible exploitation, harmonizing livelihoods and conservation.

From these small but persistent actions, a model of green tourism gradually took shape and developed. British filmmaker Tom Fawthrop once called it a "conservation miracle," because amidst the rapid development of tourism, the local people still persistently clean the sea, reduce plastic waste, and protect natural resources from the threat of overexploitation.

Cham Island, viewed from above, is developing a green marine economy model linked to ecosystem conservation. Photo: LA

To maintain these achievements, the local government continues to implement many comprehensive solutions. According to Ms. Pham Thi My Huong, Chairwoman of the Tan Hiep Commune People's Committee, in addition to campaigns to reduce plastic waste, the locality is also promoting waste sorting at source, processing organic waste, encouraging fishermen to bring waste from the sea ashore, maintaining the "Ocean House" and "Returning nets to collect waste" models, and seeking environmentally friendly alternative materials at more reasonable costs. Regulations on limiting the use of single-use plastics are also being strengthened through increased inspection and supervision.

Entering a new phase of development as a subsidiary of Da Nang City, Cu Lao Cham Island faces opportunities to expand regional linkages, attract more resources, and improve the quality of marine tourism. However, along with these opportunities come greater pressure on infrastructure, tourist numbers, and the risk of increased waste, impacting the natural ecosystem.

Therefore, the challenge facing Cu Lao Cham today is not just to maintain its title as a "plastic-free island," but to continue persevering with a marine economic development model based on conservation. The reality on this island has proven that when the environment is preserved, the sea is cleaner, the landscape is more beautiful, and the people have more opportunities for livelihood, income, and a more sustainable future right in their homeland.

From June 4-6, 2026, in Cua Lo ward (Nghe An province), the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the People's Committee of Nghe An province, will organize a series of communication events in response to World Environment Day (June 5), World Ocean Day (June 8), the Month of Action for the Environment, and Vietnam's Sea and Islands Week 2026.

1. National Forum on Environment and Climate - From Policy to Action

- Time: 8:00 AM, June 5, 2026

- Location: Vinpearl Cua Hoi, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

- To participate online: ID: 942 6837 3034. Password: KH0605.

2. National Workshop “Improving Institutions and Policies to Promote Sustainable Marine Economic Development”

- Time: 2:00 PM, June 5, 2026

- Location: Vinpearl Cua Hoi, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

- Online participation: ID: 934 2999 5099. Password: HT0506.

3. Art program “Vietnam's Sea - A Journey to Green Space”

- Time: 8:00 PM, June 5, 2026

- Location: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

4. National Launch Ceremony in response to World Environment Day, World Ocean Day, the Month of Action for the Environment, and Vietnam's Sea and Islands Week in 2026; Launching the movement "All citizens join hands to protect the environment, for a green, clean, and beautiful Vietnam"

- Time: 6:00 AM, June 6, 2026

- Location: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

5. Blue Economy Exhibition - Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

- Time: From June 4-6, 2026

- Location: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/dao-xanh-bai-1-cu-lao-cham-khong-rac-nhua-d813202.html