By Catholic News Reporter
Along the central coast of Vietnam, a peaceful environmental movement is underway, led by local Catholics with dedication and passion.
Parishioners in Hue Archdiocese, armed with brooms and garbage bags, are confronting one of the country’s most pressing challenges: plastic pollution.
Tons of plastic waste from human activities and industrial processes end up in the ocean through various sources, including rivers, and are subsequently washed ashore.
Undeterred, the parishioners are reclaiming their land and seas by clearing one piece of trash at a time.
Every weekend, 52-year-old fisherman Anton Le Van Phuoc joins volunteers on a three-kilometer stretch of beach near Sao Cat Parish.
With nothing more than unwavering determination, the group collects hundreds of kilograms of waste: plastic bottles, seafood shells, discarded nets, and even the remains of marine life that are adversely impacting their ecosystem and health.
“The environment is our duty to protect,” Phuoc says, wiping sweat from his brow. “If we don’t take action, the next generation will suffer.”
Community united by faith, purpose
Phuoc is one of more than 50 regular volunteers, including people from other faiths, who are committed not just to cleaning, but to educating the broader community about the importance of reducing plastic waste.
“It’s not easy, but we know it’s the right thing to do,” he says. “The ocean gives us everything. Now it’s time for us to give back.”
Dead fish often wash ashore with plastic in their stomachs.
“It is heartbreaking,” says Phuoc. “The fish devour plastic, and we eat the fish.”
It’s anchovy and crab season now. But plastic waste is significantly impacting fish catches and contributing to the decline of fish populations.
“I only catch 5 kilograms of squid per trip, that’s worth about 800,000 dong (US$32). Before, I would catch 15 kilograms and earn 1.5 million dong,” Phuoc said.
Fuel alone costs him 250,000 dong per two-day trip now.
“We’re paying the price,” he added.
A country drowning in plastic
Vietnam is among the world’s top plastic polluters. The country generates approximately 1.8 million tons of plastic waste annually, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Of that, between 500,000 and 1.3 million tons end up in the ocean. Only about 486,000 tons are recycled or reused; the rest is buried or incinerated.
The World Bank estimated in 2022 that the Southeast Asian country generated 3.1 million tons of plastic waste annually, with at least 10 percent of it leaking into waterways, making it one of the top five ocean plastic polluters globally.
The country’s 3,260-kilometer coastline bears the brunt of the damage.
Local experts warn that plastic pollution now ranks as the second-most urgent environmental threat after climate change.
Action inspired by the Church
The cleanup effort began in 2019 under the leadership of the late Father Paul Tran Khoi, former pastor of Sao Cat Parish.
He gathered a small group of 30 parishioners to start picking up trash along the beach.
Founded in 1954, Sao Cat Parish has 1,329 members. Around 400 are involved in marine fishing, while others work in fish farming, fish sauce production, and seafood processing.
“Khoi inspired us all,” recalls parishioner James Phan Tho. “He believed that cleaning the beach wasn’t just about picking up trash, but about respecting God’s creation.”
Though Khoi passed away in 2022, his legacy lives on.
Today, that small effort has blossomed into a community-wide movement.
Phuoc remembers the early days when they worked under a scorching sun, surrounded by the stench of plastic and rotting fish.
“There were times we felt discouraged. The trash just kept coming. But we kept going,” he admits.
They installed bins along the shore and encouraged residents, vendors, and fishermen to reduce their use of plastic.
Phuoc says the results are beginning to show even if the challenges remain.
Changing attitudes, changing habits
The impact of the movement is evident not just on the beach but in people’s homes and habits. Many parishioners are recycling, composting, planting trees, using reusable containers, and constructing wastewater treatment systems to minimize environmental impact, volunteers said.
“We used to throw everything away without thinking,” says Bich Thuy, a mother of two. “Now we sort our trash and use less plastic. We want to protect the Earth for our children.”
Phuoc adds, “We clean the docks after every trip. We don’t dump diesel in the sea and throw away broken nets.”
He notes that fishermen also abandon destructive methods, such as bottom trawling and electric shock fishing.
In neighboring Quang Binh Province, Sister Mary Nguyen Thi Hang, a member of the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception, collaborates with Catholic communities to promote environmental awareness.
“It’s not just about cleaning up,” she says. “It’s about changing habits. Children are learning not to throw trash on the ground and they’re teaching their parents.”
Still, some resistance remains.
Some vendors continue to use single-use plastics and discard waste indiscriminately.
We patiently encourage them to quit using plastic, explaining that protecting the ocean is everyone’s responsibility,” Tho said.
Despite setbacks, their efforts gradually shift societal attitudes.
More visitors are now coming to the area not just to enjoy the clean beach but also to take part in the work.
“People camp and play here now,” says Phuoc. “They see what we’re doing and want to help. They sort their trash, too. It makes us happy.”
Persistent challenges, steady hope
Plastic pollution has health consequences beyond the sea. Poor waste management and industrial pollution have led to a rise in cases of respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and digestive problems.
“People are sick because they drink contaminated water or breathe polluted air,” says Hang. “Many children suffer from chronic respiratory issues. It’s a health crisis.”
Hang and other nuns distribute water filters, instruct families about hygiene, and help them grow vegetable gardens a sustainable alternative to chemical-laden commercial farming.
“We need to teach people that the earth is sacred. Caring for creation is part of our faith,” she says.
In Ha Tinh province, Sister Mary Rita Phung Thi Tram from the Lovers of the Holy Cross says community involvement is key to environmental protection.
“It’s not just about picking up trash,” she says. “It’s about sharing knowledge and helping people understand how plastic waste affects their health.”
She and other sisters distribute solar lights to reduce electricity use, promote tree planting, and help families grow crops in areas impacted by saltwater intrusion.
They also encourage the use of improved stoves that burn biochar from agricultural waste, a cleaner alternative to firewood.
“We offer practical solutions that people can adopt,” she explains. “Step by step, lives are changing.”
Faith-fueled resilience
Although the fight against plastic waste is far from over, local Catholics are demonstrating that meaningful change is indeed possible.
Their faith-driven movement from the fishing docks to the parish grounds is restoring not only ecosystems but also hope.
“We know the problem is huge,” says Phuoc. “But if each person does a little, it will add up. We’re doing what we can to make the world better.”
His voice is calm but resolute as he stands on the now-clean shore, watching the waves roll in.
“It’s not just about the beach,” Phuoc says. “It’s about saving the future. We have to act now before it’s too late.” – UCA News
