Hundreds of utility poles are still being wrapped in artificial grass to 'green' them.

VietNamNet•24/09/2023

According to observations by VietNamNet reporters, along Truong Chinh, Nguyen Van Qua, Song Hanh, Dong Hung Thuan 02, Dong Hung Thuan 32... roads in Tan Hung Thuan ward, District 12 (Ho Chi Minh City), hundreds of utility poles and streetlights are wrapped in artificial grass.

Approximately 65 utility poles and public streetlights on Truong Chinh Street, in the Tan Hung Thuan ward of District 12 (Ho Chi Minh City), have been "greened".

This method is similar to the one in District 5, where green artificial grass is wrapped around the base of the plants, reaching a height of about 2 meters, and secured with wire or steel.

Mr. Vu Ngoc Quyet (residing in Ward 7, Tan Hung Thuan Commune) stated that previously, utility poles and streetlights were densely covered with illegal advertisements and classifieds. On weekends or monthly, ward and neighborhood teams would go out to scrape and remove the ads, but it was never enough. As soon as they cleaned them up one day, they would "sprout up like mushrooms" again the very next day.

As soon as the ward and neighborhood committees launched the model of wrapping plastic grass around utility poles to prevent advertising and flyers from being posted, families readily agreed and participated.

"Previously, it only took people a few seconds to stick advertisements and classifieds, but now it takes much longer to stick them over the artificial grass. Therefore, the public and authorities have more time to catch them red-handed and issue fines. Just last week, a person was caught red-handed by the police while trying to stick an advertisement for septic tank cleaning on artificial grass on Song Hành Street," Mr. Quyết said.

He commented that the model of wrapping artificial grass around utility poles and streetlights has contributed to beautifying the streets and alleys with a uniform, environmentally friendly green space, and has reduced the appearance of many illegal advertisements and classifieds.

Utility poles and lampposts, from major streets to small alleys in Tan Hung Thuan ward, are being "greened" with artificial grass to help reduce the problem of illegal advertising and flyer posting.

A leader of the Tan Hung Thuan Ward People's Committee (District 12, Ho Chi Minh City) said that the initiative to use 2-meter-high artificial grass to cover utility poles and lampposts was implemented and promoted by the ward to residents in the context of the persistent problem of advertisements and classifieds such as fraudulent land sales, high-interest loans, and illegal dredging under bridges.

The perpetrators often choose deserted times to commit illegal acts. According to regulations, only those caught red-handed can be prosecuted, which creates difficulties for local authorities. Furthermore, authorities cannot issue fines based on phone numbers displayed in advertisements or classifieds.

The person caught posting advertisements for septic tank cleaning (left) - residents participating in 'beautifying' streetlights by erasing and removing advertisements and flyers.

“Since implementing the model, the number of illegally posted advertisements and flyers has decreased by about 80%. This model is entirely based on voluntary contributions from residents and philanthropists, implemented as an initiative of the ward. It has helped create urban aesthetics and reduce the pressure on local officials who have to constantly remove and scrape off advertisements pasted on utility poles. Residents in the 7 neighborhoods are very supportive and plan to continue contributing and participating in 'greening' the lampposts and utility poles in the area to combat advertising violations and simultaneously create a more uniform urban landscape," shared the leader of Tan Hung Thuan ward.

This person added that during the implementation of the model, some areas may be damaged over time, so the ward has requested the neighborhoods to review and repair them to ensure aesthetic appeal.

Advertisements and classifieds are plastered densely along utility poles and streetlights.

Next to the utility pole, which has been "greened" with artificial grass, is the image of a telecommunications pole with tangled advertising and classified ads.

However, Tan Hung Thuan ward acknowledges that the above model is only one of many solutions to help ensure urban order and aesthetics. In the long run, ultimately, the awareness of the people will be the deciding factor.

"The ward has conducted extensive awareness campaigns and even issued fines for violations related to posting advertisements and flyers illegally, but some individuals still violate the regulations. They take advantage of the late hours of the night to secretly commit illegal acts, while local forces also have many other important tasks to perform, such as ensuring security and preventing theft and robbery," the ward leader frankly shared.

Recently, images of numerous streets in District 5 (Ho Chi Minh City) being "greened" with artificial grass to deter advertising and posters have caused a stir in public opinion. Speaking to the press, Mr. Le Tan Tai, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of District 5, said that the initiative to wrap artificial grass around lampposts and utility poles was launched by the committee and implemented by residents and the local authorities since 2019. The total cost, over 280 million VND, was contributed by philanthropists and residents.

District 5 has implemented the project by wrapping artificial grass around 495 utility poles and 1,286 lampposts. However, over time, some of the artificial grass has deteriorated, and these have been replaced with new ones through fundraising efforts from benefactors and sponsors.

Although this model is considered effective, the District 5 authorities believe it is only a temporary solution; the most fundamental and effective measure remains the legal regulations for handling the illegal posting of advertisements and classifieds.

The model faced opposition from some who argued that it was not entirely effective and posed safety risks such as fire hazards and electrical leaks. The District 5 authorities listened attentively to feedback and temporarily began removing the plastic grass covering utility poles and streetlights along the roads in the 14 wards to review and reassess its overall effectiveness.

District 5 begins removing artificial grass wrapped around utility poles and lampposts. The artificial grass wrapped around utility poles and lampposts, implemented four years ago by District 5 (Ho Chi Minh City) to prevent the posting of advertisements and flyers on the streets, is being gradually removed.

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