The campaign includes activities to help reduce CO2 emissions, strengthen waste collection, treatment and recycling programs, with the goal of treating 85% of plastic waste by 2025; at the same time, aiming to develop sustainable aviation - tourism and economic transformation towards circularity in Con Dao.

The launching ceremony was attended by leaders and delegates from the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, the People's Committee of Con Dao district, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Con Dao Airport, Vietnam Airlines Corporation, Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO, a member of Vietnam Airlines), social organizations, businesses and a large number of people on the island.

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Delegates and many people of Con Dao participated in the launching ceremony of "Fly lightly to Con Dao"

At the launching ceremony, the People's Committee of Con Dao district, Vietnam Airlines and Lagom Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding affirming their commitment to cooperation, opening a pioneering campaign on environmental protection. This cooperation agreement affirms the leading role of the Con Dao government, as well as the efforts of Vietnam Airlines to accompany the island district on the journey of sustainable development, participating in the implementation of the Government's goals on developing a green economy, circular economy and reducing net emissions.

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Con Dao District People's Committee, Vietnam Airlines and Lagom Vietnam Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding affirming their commitment to cooperation.

Accordingly, the parties will coordinate to implement many meaningful and practical CO2 reduction activities such as: Encouraging passengers to reduce their luggage weight, thereby reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on flights; Organizing "Green Con Dao Festival" with the goal of promoting and implementing waste collection, classification, and recycling, promoting green lifestyles in the community; Organizing educational programs for students at all levels on environmental protection, classification and recycling of plastic waste to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions into the environment, helping the younger generation to be more aware of protecting nature.

Along with that are activities of afforestation, conservation of flora and fauna ecosystems, biodiversity in Con Dao, contributing to improving the living environment and maintaining a sustainable ecosystem; Painting propaganda paintings on the roads to spread the message of environmental protection and build the image of a green, clean, beautiful Con Dao; Deploying the mobile application "Kieng Nhua" to help customers and people of Con Dao to act together to reduce single-use plastic waste, aiming to reduce the amount of plastic waste in Con Dao.

Mr. Dang Minh Thong - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria Vung Tau province said: "The campaign is one of the activities with practical significance, specifically contributing to the roadmap to reduce plastic waste, reduce CO2 emissions, towards the goals of developing a green economy, circular economy and sustainable development of Con Dao district".

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Mr. Dang Minh Thong - Member of the Provincial Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province spoke at the event.

Mr. Dinh Van Tuan - Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines believes that protecting Con Dao is not only to preserve the landscape and living environment of today but also a precious gift for the future. "When we "fly lightly" in the above way, each person will contribute to preserving the "pearl island" of Con Dao for many future generations", said Mr. Dinh Van Tuan.

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Mr. Dinh Van Tuan - Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines spoke at the ceremony.

Previously, on September 23-24, Vietnam Airlines coordinated with Con Dao District Youth Union to organize the launching activities "Collecting plastic waste, cleaning the blue sea" at Bai Nhat and "Collecting plastic waste, receiving green gifts" at residential areas No. 2 and No. 7. After 2 days, the program collected 780kg of waste, of which 380kg of recyclable plastic waste was classified and brought back to the mainland to be "revived" into green recycled products such as tables, chairs, and flower pots to give back to Con Dao.

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Vietnam Airlines representative presented Con Dao with 10 sets of tables and chairs made from recycled products.

At the launching ceremony, Vietnam Airlines and VASCO presented 10 sets of tables and chairs recycled from plastic waste collected on the island. These tables and chairs will be placed at tourist and residential areas throughout Con Dao as a strong message about environmental protection, thereby raising awareness among residents and tourists about reducing and recycling plastic waste.

Con Dao is known as an attractive tourist destination with its pristine natural beauty and diverse ecosystem. In recent years, the rapid growth of tourism has put great pressure on Con Dao's waste treatment infrastructure, especially plastic waste. Along with that, the impact of climate change has degraded environmental quality and threatened the island's endemic ecosystem.

The campaign “Fly lightly to Con Dao” with the message “Thousands of miles of light flying” was launched as a pioneering initiative in combining aviation development, sustainable tourism and economic transformation towards circularity. “Fly lightly” in the message implies creating a new definition for Vietnam Airlines’ sustainable development flights. Thereby, Vietnam Airlines encourages passengers on each journey to reduce the weight of their luggage, limit plastic waste to the environment to “lighten” the weight of each flight and “lighten” the amount of CO2 emissions, reduce the amount of plastic waste to the environment, contributing to the successful implementation of the Government’s goal of developing a green economy and a circular economy.

Ngoc Minh