Planting a tree means planting hope for the future: General Secretary To Lam

THE HANOI TIMES — Party General Secretary To Lam on February 22 called for stronger and more practical action to expand Vietnam’s tree-planting movement, declaring that “each additional tree planted is an added vote of confidence in the future.”

The call came at the launch of the 2026 “Tet Tree-planting Festival – Forever Grateful to Uncle Ho”, held at the site of the being under-construction Vietnam Communist Party Museam in Hanoi’s Xuan Dinh Ward, a landmark project marking the Party’s centenary in 2030. 

The venue highlighted the ceremony’s political and historical weight.

Similar ceremonies were held simultaneously across 126 communes and wards in Hanoi, with online links to additional venues under the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security, creating early spring momentum for the nationwide campaign.

In his remarks, Lam recalled the spring of 1960, when President Ho Chi Minh launched the “Tet Tree-planting Festival” with the wish to make the country “ever more like spring.”

"Over the past 66 years, many barren hills have been reforested, forest coverage has increased and environmental protection has gradually become part of everyday life," he said.

However, amid intensifying climate change, increasingly complex natural disasters and ongoing forest violations in some areas, the Party chief urged authorities to make the movement more substantive, persistent and effective.

Tree planting must go hand in hand with proper care and protection, he said, stressing the need to choose the right species for the right locations and integrate planting efforts with green, smart and modern urban planning.

Economic development must not come at the expense of the environment and modern urban construction must preserve green space - the “lungs” of the city.

He emphasized that Hanoi should take the lead nationwide in increasing per capita green space and public greenery and must not sacrifice such space for unsustainable projects.

“Planting trees today is an investment in the nation’s future – nurturing lasting well-being at home while turning Vietnam’s commitments to emissions reduction and climate resilience into meaningful action,” stated the general secretary.

He called for a shift from awareness to concrete action, warning against formality and superficial campaigns to make sure that every planted tree must survive and grow well.

The movement should foster a sense of responsibility among officials, Party members and the public, especially young people and contribute to Vietnam’s international commitments on emissions reduction and climate change response.

Responding to the call, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc said the city recognizes that 21st-century development must balance growth with environmental protection, modernization with cultural heritage and place people’s well-being at the center.

Hanoi views the “Tet Tree-planting Festival” not only as an early spring activity but as a long-term task embedded in its strategy for green urban development and air quality improvement.

The city aims to build a “forest in the city - city in the forest” over the next 100 years, expanding greenery along streets, gateways, new urban areas and rural zones, forming ecological belts, increasing per capita green space and digitizing tree management data citywide.

"With air quality a growing public concern, each tree planted today is seen as an ecological shield for Hanoi’s future," said Ngoc.

We clearly understand that today’s directions are a strategic reminder of Hanoi’s course in the 21st century, that growth must be aligned with environmental stewardship, modernization rooted in cultural heritage and development ultimately dedicated to the well-being of the people."

The city welcomed support from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security in contributing millions of trees, marking it as a symbol of civil-military unity in building and safeguarding the capital.

From now until the end of March, Hanoi aims to plant between 80,000 and 100,000 trees. For the whole of 2026, the target is about 400,000 trees, while local authorities and organizations have registered to plant more than 432,000.

The Ministry of National Defense plans to plant around 1.2 million trees and the Ministry of Public Security more than three million during this campaign.

Officials said the 2026 Tet tree-planting movement is intended not only to open the new year with practical environmental action but also to sustain a long-standing tradition and reinforce confidence in the country’s sustainable future.