The top four competitors are honored at the award ceremony at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Hanoi on June 6, 2023. (Photo: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Vietnam)

15-year-old Nguyen Nguyet Linh, the youngest winner of the competition, hosted by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Hanoi's Tay Ho district, told the story of her green journey, which started from very simple yet effective actions. 

"In my contest clip, I recounted my own green journey, in which I and my friends co-wrote and published two books about the environment. The first book, called 'A Piece of the Forest for You,' which was written when we were 12, gently conveys the principal benefits of forests and the importance of protecting them for future generations."

To their delight, the book sold 2,000 copies. The profits were donated to protect the Tri San watershed forest in Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province.

Nguyen Nguyet Linh, the youngest winner of the "The Green Journey for A Green Future" competition. (Photo: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Vietnam)

"In the clip, I also shared my daily habits of sustainability, such as using my reusable bottle and tote bag instead of using plastic bottles and bags when I go out for coffee or shop at supermarkets. I also remind my family members to do so," Linh added.

Organized in response to World Environment Day 2023 and the current Action Month of Environmental Protection, the competition promotes environment-friendly behavior and innovative solutions to protect the environment that can be practiced in everyday life.

27-year-old Nguyen Phuong Thao, a resident of Yen Phu district, won the prize for the most impressive green lifestyle.

"I wrote about the green office model that I encouraged my colleagues to adopt. Each person has their own small tree on their desk, which promotes a more relaxed work atmosphere, contributes towards environmental protection, and improves air quality at the workplace. It is very feasible to implement as it is easy, affordable, and practical, while yielding real and effective results," Thao said.

Numerous countries are encountering unprecedented environmental challenges such as climate change, global warming, and deforestation, said Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil Dahlwy.

These problems are caused by an array of factors, including unsustainable industrial practices, rapid urbanization, and a variety of human activities, he said, adding that Vietnam and Saudi Arabia are part of this context, which is why the competition was held by the two countries.

Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil Dahlwy speaks at award ceremony. (Photo: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Vietnam)

"We received more than 100 entries, and were very pleased to see that most of the participants were young people, the youngest one being an 8-year-old," Do Ngoc Linh, a member of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Hanoi’s Tay Ho district, said at the award ceremony in Hanoi on Tuesday.

"As the youth are the future of our nation, it is imperative that we enhance their awareness of the importance of environmental protection for the betterment of humankind. With this in mind, the Youth Union is planning to implement some of the participants’ initiatives in schools throughout the Tay Ho district," she noted.

Ambassador Dahlwy expressed his belief that Vietnamese people, especially the youth, will maintain their enthusiasm and spread their eco-friendly life styles, ideas, and initiatives.

"All the participants did an amazing job. I was very impressed by the idea of Nguyet Linh, who wrote her books on how to save the planet. These young people, the future of Vietnam, have some beautiful ideas for dealing with environmental issues and climate change," he said.