Painful marine pollution
In late May, Vung Tau beach - one of the famous tourist destinations, witnessed the phenomenon of layers of plastic waste and water hyacinth drifting and washing ashore almost every day.
Specifically, on the morning of May 28, netizens shared images of messy garbage at Bai Sau after high tide, including layers of water hyacinth, along with many types of non-biodegradable waste such as plastic bottles, jars, plastic bags, styrofoam boxes... scattered on the beach.
Accordingly, Vung Tau Urban Construction and Environmental Services Joint Stock Company (Vesco) had to mobilize dozens of workers, excavators, trucks, and garbage compactors to the beaches to collect, estimating that each day they collect 20 - 30 tons of garbage.
It is known that this is an almost annual phenomenon that occurs in Vung Tau sea. Every year, Vung Tau beaches have to endure many waves of ocean waste and it usually appears after heavy rains in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Gio beach, Dong Nai river or the Western provinces.
This is clearly not a new environmental "problem" for Vung Tau beach or many other beaches in Vietnam that also record the same situation, for example Phu Quoc.
According to statistics from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced every year, half of which is single-use plastic, and only about 10% of single-use plastic is recycled. An estimated 19 - 23 million tons of plastic waste are accumulating in rivers, lakes and seas, threatening marine ecosystems, food chains and human health.
Leveraging technology to solve blue ocean problems
Responding to World Oceans Day (June 8) with the theme: “Magical Ocean: Preserving the source of human life”, World Environment Day (June 5) with the theme “Fighting plastic pollution” and the Month of action for the environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MARD) launched a series of events for Vietnam Sea and Islands Week 2025.
In particular, with this year's theme being "Green technology for a sustainable ocean" and "Fighting plastic pollution", the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment presides over and coordinates with ministries, branches and localities to organize a series of key activities, aiming to spread the spirit of action for a green environment, clean seas and sustainable development, circular economy.
At the press conference, Deputy Minister Le Minh Ngan affirmed that "development is impossible if we take the environment and the ocean lightly", and "it is necessary to integrate environmental protection into socio-economic development, innovate production models and promote sustainable consumption and green lifestyles in the community".
Vietnam Sea and Islands Week 2025 is also a call to promote the application of green technology and digital transformation, associated with the strategic vision of sustainable marine economic development - where Vietnam's sovereignty, resources, ecosystems and marine cultural heritage reside.
Through seminars, community activities, and innovation initiatives, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment hopes that blue ocean economic models will spread widely, not only domestically but also internationally. The proactive and creative participation of organizations, businesses, communities, and individuals is the driving force to realize a healthy, safe, resilient, and sustainably developed ocean.
According to the Director of the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands, Nguyen Duc Toan, the root issue is to develop a blue marine economy, in which technology and innovation will be the center. In particular, this is also in the context of implementing Resolution 57, along with the approved Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Management Planning, all of which orient comprehensive approaches, promoting key and focal solutions to resolve conflicts and overlaps between economic development and ocean conservation and protection. Accordingly, the four breakthroughs are developing green logistics infrastructure, developing sustainable tourism, developing a sustainable blue marine economy and green energy from the sea.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/ung-dung-cong-nghe-theo-tinh-than-nghi-quyet-57-nqtw-khoi-thong-tuong-lai-xanh-cho-dai-duong-post550302.html
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