The elderly, State and businesses together implement programs for a greener Viet Nam

On November 3 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), in coordination with the Viet Nam Association of the Elderly (VAE), held a conference to review their 2022 - 2026 cooperation program on agricultural and environmental tasks, discuss orientations for the 2026 - 2030 period, thereby developing a green transition plan. Minister Tran Duc Thang and Chairman of the Viet Nam Association of the Elderly Nguyen Thanh Binh co-chaired the event.

Joining hands to build a “green - clean - beautiful” environment

The Viet Nam Association of the Elderly has actively carried out cooperative programs with relevant agencies over the past four years, yielding tangible results in environmental protection and rural development.

Statistics show that more than 3 million elderly people nationwide have received training or education on environmental protection, spreading awareness and responsibility within their communities. Thousands of exemplary individuals and hundreds of effective models have been replicated, adapted to the role and conditions of the elderly. It is estimated that more than 5 million elderly people have directly or indirectly benefited from these programs.

MAE and VAE have tightened their cooperation, resulting in diverse and effective models that serve as a solid foundation for implementing the Party’s and the State’s policies on resources, environment, and sustainable development.

Building on these results, VAE proposed that the Ministry continue to concretize policies that enhance the role, prestige, and experience of the elderly in environmental protection and rural development. It also suggested signing a new cooperation program for the 2025 - 2030 period, strengthening inspection and supervision to ensure practical implementation and avoid excessive burdens on local communities.

In the coming phase, VAE outlined eight key tasks, focusing on awareness-raising campaigns, specialized conferences and training, expanding resource management and climate adaptation models, promoting the “Elderly - Bright Example” movement, monitoring and policy advocacy, and participating in the one-billion-tree planting program, “For a Green Viet Nam”.

Que Lam and the journey of organic agriculture

“Agricultural production creates our living environment, but dependence on chemicals is not a sustainable path,” said Nguyen Hong Lam, Chairman of Que Lam Group at the event. With 40 years in the sector, he affirmed that Que Lam has solved the “input-output” challenge in organic agriculture through microbial technology, establishing a sustainable agricultural value chain.

Thanks to this technology, Que Lam’s livestock systems have remained disease-free, including African swine fever. The group now partners with tens of thousands of farmers across various provinces, guaranteeing product underwriting. Beyond production, Que Lam prioritizes education, organizing thousands of farmer training sessions annually to build a skilled workforce for organic agriculture.

Lam proposed that the Ministry continue supporting microbial product manufacturing and explore ways to recycle post-flood sludge into soil nutrients. He also emphasized the importance of training rural human resources for sustainable development.

“When the elderly speak, children listen, and the community believes”

Concluding the conference, Minister Tran Duc Thang expressed appreciation for the cooperation between the Ministry and the Association. He noted that the elderly have donated millions of square meters of land, contributed over VND 200 billion to rural infrastructure, and planted more than 50 million trees, hence clear evidence of their core role in new rural development.

“The elderly are not just participants. They are the driving force in environmental protection, cultural preservation, and promoting green transition in communities,” he said.

MAE is revising 17 laws to meet new development needs, advancing science and technology applications to ensure food safety and product quality. In the environmental sector, it aims to reduce air pollution in Hanoi by 50% within the next one to two years, emphasizing collaboration with social organizations, particularly VAE.

“When the elderly speak, children listen, and the community believes. This makes communication highly effective,” the Minister said. He requested the Ministry’s units to partner with the Association in specific projects such as waste segregation at source, tree planting, and scaling up successful models.

The one-billion-tree planting program has reached nearly 750 million trees as of date, with only 250 million more to be planted in the coming years. Minister Thang called on the Association and local authorities to continue their strong participation, coordinating with research institutes and universities to ensure seed quality and planting techniques.

Working together for a greener Viet Nam

Chairman Nguyen Thanh Binh of the Viet Nam Association of the Elderly expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s support and highlighted the importance of communication in promoting green, clean, and sustainable agriculture.

He announced plans to organize an “Elderly Tree Planting Day” to inspire community participation. “When the State, the elderly, and enterprises work together, results become more visible, farmers become more confident to change their production mindset, and circular agriculture advances along with community health. The elderly of Viet Nam always wish to contribute their strength to their homeland for green, clean, and sustainable agriculture,” said Chairman Binh.