Hanoi to launch citywide sanitation campaign ahead of major celebrations

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi will launch a city-wide environmental cleanup campaign on August 2, leading up to the upcoming national celebrations, including the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2.

The plan is outlined in a document issued by the Office of the Hanoi People’s Committee and summarizing the conclusions of the city's mayor, Tran Sy Thanh, at a recent meeting on improving environmental sanitation.

The document reinforces the implementation of Plan No. 359/KH-UBND, dated December 10, 2024, which promotes the “Bright, Green, Clean, Beautiful” movement throughout the city.

According to the notice, challenges such as littering, sidewalk encroachment, illegal advertising, and fragmented urban management persist, and public engagement remains weak.

Addressing these issues is crucial because sanitation and urban order are essential to daily life and closely linked to residents' rights and well-being. They also serve as indicators of the effectiveness of the new two-tier local government model.

Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will organize a citywide cleanup campaign on August 2 to improve sanitation and order across the city, particularly in anticipation of major national celebrations. Weekly progress reports will begin on July 22.

The department will also coordinate the development of a “low-emission zone” initiative in five key wards in 2025. Effective models should be expanded, and standout neighborhoods should be recognized and rewarded.

The Department of Culture and Sports will work with the Department of Agriculture and Environment and other relevant agencies to run a public awareness campaign. Specific groups such as restaurant and street food vendors, boarding house owners, landlords, street vendors, bus stations, and passenger pick-up points will be targeted.

In collaboration with the Department of Construction, the departments will implement a city beautification plan for upcoming political and cultural events, ensuring the resulting cityscape is aesthetically pleasing and representative of Hanoi.

In addition, the Department of Construction will oversee the installation of underground cables and urban upgrades, maintain traffic order, remove illegal advertisements, and propose standardized locations for hanging flags on residential buildings. This will ensure visual consistency and ease of participation.

The city police will collaborate with other departments and local authorities to enforce sanitation and urban regulations, ensuring that roads are clear for waste collection vehicles.

The Department of Finance will review and allocate funding for sanitation and urban management efforts. Meanwhile, the Hanoi Urban Environment Company will improve waste collection.