Over a decade of diving to collect trash in Son Tra.

For 14 years, Dao Dang Cong Trung (Da Nang) has quietly dived into the sea, collecting trash to keep Son Tra green, with the hope of spreading the message of green living and saying no to plastic waste.

The diver with a green mission.

I met Mr. Dao Dang Cong Trung while he was roaming through the alleys of Son Tra (Da Nang) picking up trash. He looked more like an environmental worker than the Director of Man Thai Trading and Tourism Company Limited, with his tanned skin, T-shirt, shorts, and his old motorbike laden with piles of garbage bags.

Trung recounts that although he's originally from Hoi An, he "fell in love" with Son Tra Peninsula when this beautiful island was still relatively unknown. With its rich and relatively pristine marine ecosystem, the number of tourists from all over the world has increased significantly. However, proportionally, the amount of waste has also increased. Deeply concerned about every fish and blade of grass in Son Tra, and witnessing the peninsula struggling daily under the weight of all kinds of waste—from cans and plastic containers to nylon—he decided to start picking up trash in 2011.

Mr. Dao Dang Cong Trung ( Da Nang ) has been diligently and silently collecting trash in Son Tra for the past 14 years. Photo: LA

"The ocean is not naturally littered. Everything that ends up there is brought in by humans," Trung shared.

To sustain this work, he created a regular schedule for himself. During the rainy season, he cleans up trash around the roads, the Son Tra forest area, and the surrounding areas. In the summer, when the sea is calm, he switches to diving to collect trash from the ocean floor. Each dive brings ashore usually between 15 and 20 kg of trash, sometimes reaching nearly 50 kg, mainly plastic bottles, soda cans, plastic bags, fishing lines, and discarded fishing nets.

What worries him is not only the increasing amount of trash but also the silent damage to the marine ecosystem. To him, coral reefs are like primeval forests at the bottom of the ocean, but for many years they have been tightly constricted by "ghost nets" and forgotten fishing lines, causing them to break apart or gradually die.

Mr. Dao Dang Cong Trung during a diving trip to collect trash in the Son Tra sea area. Photo: LA

Therefore, in addition to picking up trash, he also took on another task: rescuing coral reefs. For many years, he has persistently dived to the seabed to cut away fishing nets and remove fishing lines entangled in coral reefs. The work requires caution because even a single forceful action can damage the underwater ecosystem.

"Coral is very sensitive. We have to be very gentle to handle the trash without harming them," he said.

There were times when friends thought he was "eccentric," and strangers thought he was just showing off. But that never deterred him. His greatest goal was to let people see what he was doing and gradually change their awareness of the environment. Waste not only affects the landscape but also directly impacts human health and the ecosystem.

"I've always believed that nature is very forgiving. If humans know when to stop, when to correct their mistakes, and when to change their behavior towards the environment, nature will have a chance to recover," Trung shared.

"The ecosystem" of thousands of garbage collectors

For over a decade, Dao Dang Cong Trung has quietly collected trash, dived to rescue coral reefs, and persistently pursued his journey to preserve the greenery of Son Tra. What he has received in return is not only cleaner beaches and gradually reviving coral reefs, but also the companionship of a growing community, sharing a love for nature and a desire to protect the environment.

Besides picking up trash, Mr. Dao Dang Cong Trung also participates in rescuing coral reefs in the Son Tra sea area. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

From his initial individual activities, a volunteer "ecosystem" with thousands of participants has gradually formed around his journey. From SUP and kayak clubs to the Danang Free Diving group with over 3,500 members of various ages, they all share a common desire to contribute to preserving the marine environment and Son Tra forest through practical actions such as collecting trash along the shore, diving to pick up garbage, or participating in environmental cleanup activities.

"From just a few dozen initial participants, the community has now grown to thousands. Everyone participates voluntarily, and all activities are coordinated with and permitted by the local authorities," Trung shared.

According to Trung, this spread of awareness stems not only from cleanup campaigns but also from helping people see more clearly the environmental problems that exist every day. Having worked in tourism for many years, what worries him is not only the ever-increasing amount of waste but also the image of international tourists coming to Vietnam and directly participating in cleaning up trash at tourist destinations.

"They might find picking up trash fun, but for me, it's not fun at all. The sea is like my home. I have to keep my home clean, not let guests come and do it for me," he said.

Young people participate in diving to collect trash in Son Tra, within the ecosystem established by Mr. Trung. Photo: LA

Having spent years working near the sea, Trung realized that environmental protection cannot rely solely on a few dedicated individuals but requires change from the entire community. According to him, this doesn't start with grand gestures but with small changes in daily habits, such as limiting single-use plastics, avoiding littering, and cultivating a civilized approach to environmental behavior.

"Without litter, there would be no one to pick up trash. I will stick with this job as long as my health allows, but my greatest hope is that one day there will be no more people throwing trash," he shared.

He also hopes that young people understand that protecting the marine environment is not only for nature but also for their own future. A clean sea not only helps protect the ecosystem but also creates a foundation for sustainable tourism development, more stable livelihoods for the people, and an improved quality of life for the community.

"Love nature as much as you love your own life. Don't wait until the sea is full of trash, the coral reefs are dead, and there are no more fish to regret it, because by then it may be too late," Trung said.

The beauty of Son Tra beach will only be preserved when environmental protection awareness becomes a habit of the community. Photo: LA

According to him, besides community efforts, the role of regulatory agencies is also very important. Stronger solutions are needed in waste management, strict penalties for acts that harm the marine environment, and encouragement and support for community-based environmental protection models to create sustainable change.

After more than a decade of dedicated efforts to preserve the ocean's pristine condition, Trung still believes that significant changes always begin with small things. Picking up a piece of trash, replacing a plastic bag, or changing a lifestyle can all make a difference when amplified by the awareness and responsibility of the entire community.

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/hon-mot-thap-ky-lan-bien-nhat-rac-o-son-tra-d813472.html