The initiator of this initiative is Luu Tuan Anh (born in 2002) from Hamlet 2, Thanh Lan Island. Born and raised on the island, Tuan Anh understands better than anyone the value of the marine environment to the lives and livelihoods of the local people. After many years working far from home, in 2024 the young man decided to return to start a career in tourism with the desire to contribute to promoting the beauty of his island homeland.
Working as a freelance tour guide, Tuan Anh regularly films videos showcasing the beautiful scenery of Thanh Lan Island and posts them on social media to introduce his hometown to tourists from near and far. However, during filming, Tuan Anh has often been concerned about the amount of trash found on many beaches on the island. Plastic bottles, plastic bags, and household waste washed ashore by the waves and left behind after tours not only detract from the beauty of the area but also negatively impact the marine environment.
"There are some very beautiful beaches, but there's so much trash. Every time I film a video, seeing the beautiful scenery mixed with garbage makes me feel so sorry. I think I can't just promote the beauty of my hometown without doing anything to protect the environment," Lưu Tuấn Anh shared.
With that thought in mind, Tuan Anh began picking up trash on the beaches of the island by himself. Initially, it was just doing it during his free time to clean up the environment. Without making a big fuss or setting a grand goal, Tuan Anh simply thought that cleaning up a section of the beach meant making his hometown a little more beautiful.
Tuan Anh's initiative gradually spread and received support from many people around him. Some friends working in tourism on the island saw the meaningfulness of the work and joined in. From just a few people initially, the group grew larger and maintained regular activities. These cleanup sessions are usually held on weekends or during free time. Some collect trash on the beach, others pick up trash stuck in the rocks, and still others sort and transport it for processing. Some types of trash are incinerated, while the rest are processed according to regulations to minimize environmental pollution.
To date, the group has organized clean-up activities in many areas such as Ba Chau Beach, Vung Tron Beach, and residential areas in the center of the island. What's commendable is that this activity doesn't just take place during the tourist season, but has been maintained regularly throughout the years. Even during peak season, when work is busier, members still try to arrange at least one session per week to clean up trash together.
According to Tuan Anh, those involved in tourism must take responsibility for preserving the environment, because a clean and beautiful landscape is a crucial factor in attracting tourists and maintaining the local image. "This is my homeland, so I must be conscious of preserving it. If each person contributes a little effort, the environment will change significantly," said Luu Tuan Anh.
Besides directly collecting trash, these young people are also actively promoting and raising awareness about environmental protection among locals and tourists. While taking tourists on tours of the island, Tuan Anh often reminds visitors to limit the use of plastic bags, not to litter indiscriminately, and to work together to protect the marine environment.
Accompanying Tuan Anh in many environmental protection activities, Nguyen Tien Dung (Zone 1, Co To Special Economic Zone) said: “I have been a member of the group since 2025. What keeps me involved in this activity is the desire to contribute to beautifying our homeland and islands. Every time we see the beach cleaner after cleaning up the trash, everyone feels very happy. The work is hard, but in return, the environment is improved, and tourists are also more conscious of maintaining cleanliness.”
It's not grand gestures, but the perseverance in such simple actions that is spreading a spirit of responsible community living among today's youth. On the beaches of Thanh Lan, the image of young people quietly bending down to pick up every piece of trash not only helps preserve the greenness of the sea and islands, but also creates a precious beauty of the youth in this coastal region today.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/gop-suc-giu-mau-xanh-cho-thanh-lan-3407270.html
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