The unit's base is located in an area with a hot and harsh climate during the summer. To overcome the weather challenges, improve training quality, enhance combat readiness, and diversify recreational activities for soldiers during breaks and days off, the Division directed the planting of many trees to provide shade and protection from the sun for the troops.

Colonel Nguyen Hong Canh, Deputy Political Commissar of the 5th Division, said: “Identifying environmental protection as a key, regular, and long-term movement, in 2022, we coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Green Parks Company to have youth organizations plant 2,500 trees for timber, greening vacant land and providing shade for officers and soldiers on the training grounds and around the barracks... Every year, we usually direct youth organizations to carry out peak tree planting campaigns, such as: Tree Planting Festival, Youth Month, Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign, Green Sunday, Volunteer Saturday, World Environment Day, Clean World Campaign... Along with that, we launched the movement "Each youth branch one project, youth flower garden, youth road" to create a bright, green, clean, and beautiful environment."

Soldiers of Battalion 5, Regiment 5 (Division 5, Military Region 7) have fun at a "green hut" during their break.

Soldiers of Battalion 5, Regiment 5 (Division 5, Military Region 7) take care of "shelters made of green trees".

Upon arriving at Company 6, Battalion 5, Regiment 5, we were very impressed with the "Greenhouse" model, which created a warm and friendly atmosphere. According to Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Hieu, Political Officer of Company 6, this is a type of hut assembled from green trees and fig trees, with branches joined together on a fixed iron frame. Every week during breaks and days off, the soldiers often sit and play chess, sing, and chat... Especially, they are very happy to welcome relatives, friends, and loved ones to visit in their "Greenhouse."

Along with actively planting trees, and to promote the spirit of proactive response to climate change and environmental protection, youth unions at all levels within the Division have implemented many practical activities, such as: disseminating information and mobilizing the sorting and processing of organic waste in households within the Division's staff housing area; carrying out youth projects such as "Youth Vegetable Gardens," "Youth Fish Ponds," and planting trees; launching campaigns to clean up, collect garbage, and treat the environment in areas prone to pollution; effectively implementing the "Turning Waste into Money" model through collecting household waste to raise funds for activities; and creating innovative groups and teams within the youth branches...

In the coming period, the Youth Union at all levels within the Division will continue to maintain and promote activities to respond to climate change and protect the environment; and raise awareness among officers, Youth Union members, young people, and residents in the areas surrounding the unit's base to participate in environmental protection through daily actions and habits.

Text and photos: HOANG DANH