ASEAN award affirms Nguyen Hue High School’s green path

This achievement not only reflects the creativity and dedication of the school’s teachers and students but also spreads the spirit of environmental protection across the local community.

Vietnam Agriculture and Nature News spoke with Principal Nguyen Thi Thu about the significance of the award and the school’s future direction.

The ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam 2024 award - more than just a title

Could you share some of the key initiatives that helped Nguyen Hue High School earn the ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam 2024 award?

For many years, we have worked to create a “green – clean – beautiful” campus. Nguyen Hue High School has carried out more than 30 “green living” projects, ranging from tree planting and vegetable gardens to classroom waste sorting. All activities and results are shared publicly on the school’s Facebook page, allowing parents and students to follow and support them.

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One of our highlights is the School Eco-Garden. Students plan, plant, and care for the garden themselves, turning it into a space that connects learning with nature. At the same time, we established the Green Environment Club, where students with a passion for sustainability can put ideas into practice and spread green living habits.

These initiatives, coupled with school-wide campaigns, have made it common to see students tending plants or collecting recyclables. We are proud that “going green” has become part of our school culture, forming a foundation for holistic education, where students not only gain knowledge but also learn responsibility and values.

Teachers also receive training on the green transition, equipping them with environmental education skills and sustainable teaching methods. Students are introduced to green lifestyles and project-planning skills through extracurricular activities and workshops.

This year, our theme is reducing plastic waste. Students have been encouraged to repurpose discarded plastics, such as turning bottles into plant pots or household items. Their enthusiasm has even gone viral, with videos of their projects spreading widely on social media, showing how deeply the green spirit has taken root.

Thanks to these efforts from green living projects to green transition programs, Nguyen Hue High School was honored with the ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam 2024 award (Second Prize, High School Category) and received a certificate of recognition for strong participation in the “Learning from Practice – Education Innovations” exhibition. We were also among 21 schools nationwide selected to showcase exemplary education models. This is proof that our “greening” path is both right and effective.

What has the school done since receiving the award to ensure the eco-school model continues to grow rather than stopping at a title?

We see this recognition not as a destination but as a new beginning. The award strengthens our resolve not to rest on our laurels but to make a long-term commitment to the school’s green vision.

We immediately rolled out follow-up plans to maintain and expand existing projects. The Eco-Garden continues to be carefully tended and expanded with new plants; the Green Environment Club meets regularly and encourages students to launch new initiatives such as recycling in common areas or tree-planting fundraisers. Teachers participate in ongoing green transition training sessions, while students are guided further in project skills and sustainable practices.

Transparency and inspiration remain central: all activities are continuously updated on the school’s Facebook page and on the provincial Department of Education’s portal so that the community can follow and learn. We also plan to host a larger “Green Living Day”, inviting other schools, parents, and local residents to visit, exchange experiences, and share best practices. For us, the award is not just recognition but also a promise to sustain the values we have built.

A source of pride and motivation

What does this award mean for the school, especially the students who directly participate in and benefit from a green learning environment?

The ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam 2024 award is a tremendous source of pride for Nguyen Hue High School, particularly for our students. It is official recognition of our collective perseverance. I feel proud to see our students encouraged and inspired because they are at the center of everything we do. The success of our projects comes directly from their initiative and creativity. Witnessing their joy and pride as they stood with us to receive the award was deeply moving.

Beyond recognition, the award motivates both teachers and students to believe that the green education path we have chosen is right and meaningful. Environmental activities, tied to school competitions, have long been part of our comprehensive approach to education, and this award reinforces those values.

Students now see their contributions acknowledged by society, which makes them prouder and more motivated to continue. They have become ambassadors of green living, spreading awareness to friends, families, and the wider community.

Teachers and parents also share this joy, feeling reassured that the school is heading in the right direction. The award is not just a title, it is a new responsibility, giving us confidence that the “green seeds” planted here will grow even stronger.

What new directions or initiatives will Nguyen Hue High School take to further extend the value of the eco-school model, both inside and outside the classroom?

We want to extend the eco-school model beyond our campus. First, we will strengthen cooperation with other schools and local authorities by organizing seminars, roundtables, and exchange visits. This allows us to share methods and materials while learning from each other. Our social media channels will continue to highlight success stories through videos, photos, and student-led content about recycling and tree planting.

We also plan to involve parents and local residents in eco-activities, such as tree-planting days, household waste-sorting campaigns, or community recycling contests. This ensures our eco-school model spreads beyond the classroom. Additionally, we will develop guidebooks and handbooks on building green schools to share with the provincial Department of Education and other schools.

Next year, we intend to launch a district-level green innovation contest, giving students from various schools a chance to exchange ideas and broaden the impact of green initiatives. With these plans, I believe our eco-school model will continue to expand, inspiring greener schools and communities for a sustainable planet.

From your experience, what advice would you offer other schools in Vietnam seeking to adopt and sustain an eco-school model?

First, schools need a clear and transparent action plan. Each academic year should set concrete goals and define specific “green living” projects, with progress shared publicly online so parents and society can follow and contribute feedback. Transparency builds trust and encourages community support.

Second, students must be placed at the center. They should not only enjoy the outcomes but also propose, plan, and implement the projects themselves. At our school, the Eco-Garden has shown how empowering students fosters both skills and a love for nature, turning them into catalysts for change.

At the same time, teachers need proper training and support to become inspiring guides. When equipped with knowledge on green education and project-based teaching, they are better able to integrate environmental topics into lessons. Schools should also set up dedicated clubs such as the Green Environment Club, where students can practice, innovate, and lead.

Most importantly, building an eco-school requires perseverance and long-term commitment. It cannot stop at winning an award; it must become part of daily learning and life. While recognition is valuable encouragement, the true achievement lies in nurturing sustainable habits in every student.

If schools across Vietnam commit to this approach with determination and collective effort, the eco-school model will not only protect the environment but also inspire the next generation to become responsible citizens of a greener planet.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has tasked the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature News in coordination with relevant agencies and units and the Green Future Fund, with organizing the ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam 2024 Awards - “Schools Without Plastic Waste”. 

For details, visit the online edition at nongnghiepmoitruong.vn, the Awards website: ecoschool.vn, or contact Journalist Nguyen Quynh Chi, Phone: 0967181555, Email: nquynhchi.00@gmail.com.