Vietnamese consumers gradually shift toward eco-friendly living

Young participants bring plastic waste and used batteries to a recycling booth at the 2025 Green Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City.

Battery and milk-carton collection booths saw heavy participation on Saturday as residents delivered recyclables gathered at home over several months. 

Nearby displays showed recycled hangers, spoons, and plant pots produced from processed waste.

Recyclables kept at home, awaiting collection at the event

Recycled items, including hangers, spoons, and plant pots, were displayed at the festival, running till Sunday at the Youth Culture House in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, to show how household waste can be repurposed into usable products.

Of the more than 40 booths at the event, organizers said nearly half collected recyclable materials such as used batteries and milk cartons, offering small items in return.

Attendance increased from midday on Saturday as families brought bags and boxes of stored household waste to the collection points.

Kim Anh, 57, from Phu Lam Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, brought a large bag of used batteries collected by her son and grandchildren. 

She said her family routinely stores used batteries in plastic bottles until they can be taken to collection points such as the booth run by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. 

She added that receiving a small gift was enjoyable, but the main purpose was practicing environmentally responsible habits.

A booth run by dairy company TH True Milk drew long lines as staff guided participants through a 30-second cleaning process for used milk cartons before sending them for recycling.

The cartons are later processed into hangers, plant pots, and other products in partnership with recycling firms.

After completing sustainability-themed activities at the event, participant Thoai Linh, 38, received a small succulent, which she said she planned to give to her child.

Recycled products and sustainable solutions draw significant attention at the 2025 Green Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City.

A myriad of green goods draws attention from visitors

At the Philips Hue booth, Signify Vietnam technician Duy Khanh said the company set up a miniature cinema to demonstrate energy-saving lighting technology.

The Philips Hue system, capable of displaying 16 million colors, enables users to remotely control and adjust lighting modes, allowing for efficient energy use management.

Faslink, a fashion company presenting shirts made from coffee fiber and polo shirts made from recycled plastic bottles, allowed visitors to handle and examine the products first-hand.

Vo Thanh Phuoc, Faslink's development director, said the company aimed to promote sustainable consumption beginning with small daily choices.

AirX Carbon, which won the 'Green Startup Star' award at the 2024 Startup Awards, returned as a sponsor to showcase sustainable materials derived from agricultural by-products.

The company said replacing fossil-based materials with renewable alternatives is becoming a necessary trend, especially under pressure to green supply chains in developed markets.

At the event, AirX Carbon demonstrated renewable material solutions for logistics, packaging, and consumer products.

Green Vietnam Festival features popular mega live-stream sessions

The event also featured a lively live-stream area from 10:00 am, with TikTok Shop hosting two megalive sessions.

Influencers, including Phuong Oanh Daily, Gia dinh Thao Vi, and Hina Quynh Nhu, presented green products from participating companies.

Participating businesses also offered products to viewers through the live stream, including APG ECO, Bien Hoa Consumer, Sunhouse, Fuwa3e (pineapple enzyme cleaning products), Philips Lighting Vietnam, Faslink, Biti's, Sakos, GREEnfinity, Organica organic foods, Visante, and Vinasoy.