Public-private partnership for water conservation linked to headwater forests

On July 5 in Hanoi, the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in conjunction with Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage Co., Ltd., launched the 2025 initiatives of the "Water of Life: Conserving Water Resources—For a Greener Vietnam" program, alongside a new environmental education initiative named “Nature Exploration with Mizuiku."

This effort represents a public-private partnership (PPP) designed to preserve headwater forests and water supplies while enhancing public awareness through nature-based educational frameworks.

Following its first year of implementation, the “Water of Life” program has reforested 35 hectares in Bac Kan, Nghe An, and Ca Mau, regions deliberately chosen for their significance in water retention, saltwater intrusion mitigation, and the stabilization of downstream water resources. In 2025, the initiative will extend by cultivating an extra 60 hectares in Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Binh Phuoc, and Long An, provinces essential to forest ecosystems and local economies.

Mr. Ashish Joshi, CEO of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam, asserts that the program demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainable development along with commercial expansion. He emphasized that establishing public-private partnerships in natural resource protection not only satisfies corporate social responsibility but also engenders a mutually advantageous framework for all parties.

Mr. Pham Hong Luong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, emphasized that the program goes beyond forest greening to encompass water conservation, carbon neutrality, and enhancement of community livelihoods. The effort is to restore more water to the environment than the corporation consumes in its activities in Vietnam by 2050.

A distinctive aspect of the program is the active involvement of local residents and forest owners. Local individuals are trained in afforestation, intercropping, and sustainable land management to connect economic advantages with forest conservation duties.

Alongside reforestation efforts, 2025 signifies a new milestone in public-private collaboration with the start of the “Nature Exploration with Mizuiku” initiative. This is Vietnam’s first educational model implemented through a partnership between government agencies and private enterprise, held directly within national parks, home to unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity.

Targeted at primary school students, the initiative introduces children to forests and water systems under the guidance of trained facilitators. Through experiential activities, such as monitoring the hydrological cycle, quantifying forest canopy coverage, and investigating the local ecosystem, students acquire dynamic environmental knowledge, cultivating awareness and conservation behaviors from an early age.

Each experiential path is customized to the biological attributes of certain national parks, guaranteeing authenticity, relevance, and a robust local identity. The program not only enhances educational outcomes but also strengthens the connection between students, local communities, and nature. Between 2024 and 2028, the effort intends to function in 15 to 20 national parks, educate over 100 essential professionals, and engage over 4,500 student participants across the nation.

Incorporating education, ecological restoration, and community engagement

Alongside the environmental education program is another initiative under the PPP framework—the "National Park Passport," available in both digital and printed formats, accompanied by a user guide. This approach has been trialed and favorably received in multiple national parks, enhancing the perception of Vietnam’s forests and fostering responsible ecotourism. A significant media event at Hoan Kiem Lake signified the initiation and training session for personnel from national parks nationwide.

Mr. Tran Quang Bao, Director General of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, assessed that after a year of partnership, the programs have moved beyond mere commitments and into foundational real-world action. Although the reforested region is limited, it represents a novel strategy that prioritizes forests in the safeguarding of water resources.

According to Mr. Bao, the strength of the model lies in its integration of education, ecosystem restoration, and community participation. The initiative extends beyond basic school; future objectives encompass growth into higher education and partnerships with institutions to establish a network for disseminating conservation knowledge and promoting action across many societal sectors.

He reaffirmed that headwater forests play a vital role in water retention, erosion control, and disaster risk reduction. Therefore, public-private cooperation models like these should continue to be scaled up—not limited to a single company, but involving a broader range of partners to create a robust foundation for holistic and sustainable natural resource conservation.