Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by natural disasters and climate change. In recent years, there has hardly been a year without heartbreaking news from the central region or the northern mountainous areas. The Van Chan district in Yen Bai province was also once severely damaged by flash floods and landslides. Born and raised in a land with harsh natural conditions, Sung A Cai deeply understands the value of forests and has long nurtured a dream of greening Vietnam through his project “A Million Trees Dream”.
To support Sung A Cai in this meaningful journey, and to celebrate its 10-year milestone, the Kind Deeds program launched the campaign “Forest of Kindness”. With each donation of one tree (equivalent to 35,000 VND), viewers helped plant a seed of hope for their homeland. As a result, 10,200 trees were sent to Sung Do, a special hardship commune of Van Chan district, Yen Bai Province, just one week after the campaign began.
Sung Do commune is home to more than 90 percent of the Hmong ethnic minority.
The Kindness Bus sets off for Yen Bai
On a sunny day in May, the “Kindness Bus”arrived in Na Noi village, Sung Do commune in the highlands. There, the bus joined the residents to plant a green patch of forest. At the site, representatives from the “Kind Deeds” team and local authorities signed a commitment to care for the trees and protect the forest. They pledged to plant the full number of trees received from the campaign.
Mr. Giang A Lu, Chairman of Sung Do People’s Committee, shared: “This program is truly meaningful for our locality. Although forest planting and protection have improved over the years, most of the forests here still consist of shrubs, with few high-value trees. These additional green trees bring hope for a sustainable forest that will bring long-term benefits to the community.”
Editor Ba Thang of VTV handed over the trees and gave hats to the people of Sung Do.
I was guided by Ms. Cha, a local woman who has lived with the forest for 40 years, through winding, rough, steep forest paths. She knows this trailwell: “I’ve been coming up here to plant trees and collect firewood since I was little”, she said. “Today, I'm happy to join everyone in planting trees. I hope the trees grow well and provide many benefits”.
Ms. Cha (left) and another resident carry seedlings to the planting site.
In just two days, the local government and villagers worked together to plant all the trees. Everyone was happy with their result.Now, rows of young trees stand tall under the highland sky, a symbol of unity and the shared dream for a greener future in Sung Do.
Mr. Lai Thanh Binh – Head of the Ban Dong Forest Protection Station – remarked: “In the highlands, people live in close connection with the forest. Compared to the past, awareness about forest protection has greatly improved. Illegal logging and forest encroachment have been significantly reduced. The Forest of Kindness campaign is a very meaningful opportunity for us to further promote awareness of the importance of the forest further”.
Residents and the program team join hands to plant the forest together.
Cai, who once experienced severe natural disasters firsthand, reflected: “In 2006, a terrible storm hit my hometown. All the crops were destroyed. From that moment on, I began to dream of planting trees. Today, joining Kind Deeds is a truly special experience for me. Every tree planted is a message of love for nature, the environment, and future generations. If we all spread kindness together and care for these forests with our hearts, I believe the world will surely become greener, more beautiful, and much warmer”.
Standing in the rice fields beside the green hills of his homeland, Cai smiles with hope.
Representatives from the “Kind Deeds” team and the people of Sung Do pose for a photo at the “Forest of Kindness”.
This year, on the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22), the United Nations launched the theme: “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, emphasizing the urgent global need to protect biodiversity.
