The Phu Quy special zone off the coast of Lam Dong Province has banned visitors from bringing single-use plastic items to Hon Tranh Island as part of stronger measures to address marine waste and protect the local environment.
Le Hong Loi, chairman of the People’s Committee of Phu Quy Special Zone, said he had directed relevant units to implement environmental protection regulations on Hon Tranh Island, south of the Phu Quy Special Zone, and in local aquaculture areas.
Tourists, organizations, and individuals visiting Hon Tranh Island are prohibited from bringing plastic bags and single-use plastic cups. Transport operators are responsible for reminding passengers and conducting checks before departure.
Local officials are also requiring travel firms and transport operators to encourage the use of cloth bags, personal water bottles, and biodegradable alternatives instead of plastic bottles, nylon bags, and other disposable plastic products.
Littering into the sea during trips from the main island to Hon Tranh, or dumping waste outside designated areas on the island, has also been prohibited.
Rare waterfall discovered inside new cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang
A survey team has discovered a new cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park featuring an exceptionally rare waterfall, estimated to be about 350 meters high, according to the Tuoi Tre news site.
Preliminary findings indicate that the cave drops vertically to a depth of about 350 meters, with a stream cascading from the upper section to the bottom, forming a striking internal waterfall, a rare phenomenon in cave systems.
However, experts said the survey has not yet been completed, as many areas of the cave remain inaccessible, so a full assessment has yet to be made. Relevant authorities are expected to continue research and detailed surveys in the coming period before releasing official information on the newly discovered cave and waterfall.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is known as the “Kingdom of Caves,” with more than 425 caves discovered so far, about 50 of which are open to tourism.
Pay-what-you-feel vegetarian buffet draws crowds in HCMC
A vegetarian buffet restaurant in the Cho Lon area of HCMC that allows diners to eat freely and pay what they can afford is attracting large daily crowds, especially among elderly residents, students, and low-income workers.
“There is no fixed price. People pay whatever they feel is right, or nothing at all,” Nguyen Van Duy, a 72-year-old cyclo driver who visits regularly, told Vietnamnet news site.
The eatery is owned by Do Thi Ngoc Phuong, born in 1983 and originally from the former Soc Trang Province. She opened the restaurant in 2017 to fulfill a promise she had made years earlier.
She said, “I went through hard times and received help from others, so I promised myself I would give back when I could. Once I was able to support myself, I opened this eatery to share meals with people in need. About 80% of our customers are older adults, people facing hardship, and students. I chose the buffet model so they can enjoy more dishes at once.”
Building 1,000 school libraries for disadvantaged students
The Vietnam Publishers Association and Thieu nien Tien phong va Nhi dong newspaper have jointly launched a project to build 1,000 libraries from 2026 to 2035. It is seen as a practical initiative to expand students’ access to knowledge, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
Each library will be equipped with 500 to 1,000 books, newspapers and age appropriate publications, as well as computers, presentation devices and student friendly reading spaces.
Beyond providing physical facilities, the project aims to create a sustainable learning environment in which reading becomes a habit, a need, and a source of enjoyment for students. It is also expected to help build a foundation for the all-round development of the abilities and character of Vietnam’s younger generation in the new era.
Organizers also launched a nationwide donation campaign, Give a Book, Open a Future, calling on students, schools, businesses, and individuals to donate books to the libraries, according to the Vietnamplus news site.
