These days, backpacking in combination with charity works and environmental protection has been popular among young adults. Not only do social activities allow participants to unwind and explore new venues, but they also help them strengthen engagement with nature and local people.
Pham Tung Duong (right) and his friend pick up litter on a camping trip in Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District.
Young man Pham Thanh Tung, now residing and working in Da Nang, along with his group of friends are planning to go on a trip to Aur Village in A Vuong Commune, Tay Giang district, Quang Nam Province in mid-August to bring books, comics, toys, and clothes for Co Tu children.
Aur village is located in the middle of the great thousand Truong Son, bordering the two provinces of Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue. The village houses more than 20 rooftops and is home to more than 100 Co Tu people.
According to their plan, the group will ride motorbikes from Da Nang to Ta Vang Cultural Village, A Tieng Commune to rest and learn about culture and cuisine before walking into Aur Village. At the end of the journey, the group will organize gift giving for children, in tandem with exchanging cultural and artistic activities with local people.
“Thanks to numerous trips to remote areas, I realize that the lives of border people has been still burdensome. Therefore, I suppose supporting small gifts for indigenous people in these areas might help us bond, make the trip more meaningful, as well as helps each member of the group live more responsibly to the community,” said Mr Tung.
"Walk fast – pick up more trash " is the theme of the Cleanup Son Tra - For a Green Son Tra program in 2022. As shared by Mr Nguyen Duc Vu, Head of the Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang tourist beaches, the new point of this year's program is to encourage the young to participate in a host of captivating activities such as visiting and experiencing Son Tra peninsula, garbage collection, and environmental protection. Individuals participating in the cleanup are provided with garbage collection tools, gloves and means of transportation.
“Depending on funding conditions, Clean up Son Tra - For a green Son Tra in 2022 will takes place monthly or quarterly to ensure the peninsula's environment is always clean and fresh. Most importantly, the program has helped enhance environmental awareness among many young backpackers who visit the peninsula through garbage collection activities at key locations,” said Mr Vu.
In addition to two times participating in Clean up Son Tra - For a Green Son Tra, Nguyen Huu Nhat, a student at the Faculty of Road and Bridge Engineering, University of Science and Technology (DUT)- University of Danang (UD), and his group of friends sometimes organize trips to pick up trash at other locations such as Bai Da Den, Ghenh Bang.
Initially, the group picked up trash as they felt uncomfortable with the sloppiness of the destinations. But finally, their love and desire to contribute more to environmental protection activities have pushed these young people's footsteps to continue more meaningful activities.
According to Mr Pham Tung Duong, administrator of the group “Camping in Da Nang” on Facebook, the group has been actively connected members who love backpacking activities for the environment. Therefore, the group has always combined garbage collection as well as calling on members to have a sense of environmental hygiene when participating in hiking, camping and Sup paddle activities along Cu De river, Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District.
This is also one of the binding conditions for members participating in backpacking and camping with the group. On top of that, participants have to ensure that they can meet the criteria "taking nothing but photos, leaving nothing but footsteps" to preserve the landscape and environment for the sake of the public.
Reporting by Huynh Le - Translating by T.Vy