Collecting rubbish and seaweed on the beach has become a habit for the residents of Đồ Sơn. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Thu

HẢI PHÒNG — Instead of merely making ambitious claims about drawing tourists to Hải Phòng, leaders and residents of the city's Đồ Sơn Ward and Kiến Hưng Commune are walking the talk, working together to help transform their localities by cleaning up beaches and building mutual trust.

Their actions are being taken in the spirit of the Politburo's Directive 07-CT/TW on practising Hồ Chí Minh’s thought on morality and style in the new phase of development.

Đồ Sơn Ward is a key tourist destination in Hải Phòng. Alongside the development of modern infrastructure to turn the ward into a year-round destination with night-time entertainment, local residents are working every day to protect the marine environment and their surroundings, helping to make the area cleaner and more attractive to tourists.

It all began with an example set by Lê Quốc Tiến, secretary of the Đồ Sơn Ward Party Committee.

Rather than issuing appeals or making grand speeches, Tiến shares photographs every day in local information-sharing groups. The images show residents cleaning the beach, early morning scenery and, in particular, Tiến himself bending down to pick up rubbish and place it in the proper bin.

Tiến has often shared the message: “Bending down to pick up rubbish does not make us smaller; it makes our hearts bigger. A small act today will preserve Đồ Sơn’s beauty forever.”

He also regularly monitors the amount of rubbish reaching Đồ Sơn. Aside from waste carried by waterways and floating water hyacinth, some rubbish is left behind by visitors after eating and drinking. He said it is then buried in the sand and gradually resurfaces when it rains or the tide rises.

Tiến also frequently shares his heartfelt thoughts through poems and messages.

In a message titled 'Working harder every day so that the sea will remain blue forever', he wrote: "The sea at Đồ Sơn is blue not only because of the colour of its water, but also because of the awareness of people who know how to protect and cherish it. Each day, through one small act, we are continuing our promise to our homeland. Today’s efforts are the foundation for a better tomorrow. 

"When the Party organisation remains steadfast in its convictions, authorities act decisively and the people stand united and share a common purpose, every dream can take shape. Đồ Sơn is not only building new roads; it is also nurturing a more civilised way of life in every street, alley and stretch of beach."

According to Tiến, the ward will continue to implement a range of practical measures to encourage community involvement in environmental protection.

Among other initiatives, the locality plans to distribute biodegradable rubbish bags to swimming clubs, beachgoers, pupils, students and tourists, making it easier for them to collect waste while taking part in activities on the beach.

This will not only help reduce waste, but also contribute to developing good habits and raising public awareness of the marine environment.

Phí Ngọc Huyền, secretary of the Tây Hải Residential Area Party Cell in Đồ Sơn Ward, said the area has a population of more than 2,000, including 102 Party members.

Inspired by Tiến, heads of residential areas have personally taken part in cleaning up their neighbourhoods, from clearing grass at a local park to improving environmental sanitation in residential areas.

With the spirit of 'Party members leading the way', they and many other residents regularly clean Đầm Vuông Park and the surrounding area every Friday morning. Residents have developed the habit of picking up rubbish, putting it in proper places and maintaining public hygiene.

People at the centre

Kiến Hưng Commune is the birthplace of the Mạc dynasty. The ancient site of Dương Kinh, established in what is now Kiến Hưng, was also Đại Việt’s first capital oriented towards the sea.

Today, Kiến Hưng is entering a new phase of development with plans to build the Tân Trào Industrial Cluster Project, an important component of the Southern Hải Phòng Economic Zone.

To ensure that the project is implemented on schedule, the commune's Party organisation identified site clearance as a key task.

Party committee members regularly contacted local communities, working with authorities to hear from residents and address problems as they arose. They did this through a model that  saw authorities and residents sit down over tea every week.

As a result, site clearance was completed on schedule and the project is being carried out as planned.

Late last month, the Kiến Hưng People’s Committee held a groundbreaking ceremony for the industrial cluster's infrastructure, in coordination with relevant agencies.

Building residents' trust

Trust between authorities and residents was built through the involvement of the commune’s entire political system, which worked to stay close to people, understand their concerns and serve their interests. 

Authorities did not just visit each village to communicate government policies; they also listened to residents’ views through an initiative they called 'Saturday morning tea – Authorities listen to the people'. 

Every Saturday morning, the chairman and deputy chairmen of the Kiến Hưng People’s Committee, together with leaders of local departments and agencies, visit villages to speak with residents and listen to their opinions and concerns.

Issues falling within their jurisdiction are addressed thoroughly. As a result, issues related to site clearance, socio-economic development and environmental protection in the locality can all be discussed and handled promptly and effectively.

Mạc Thế Đô, head of Đại Village in Kiến Hưng Commune, said that direct dialogue between local leaders and residents not only reflects their openness and approachability, but also fosters trust, mutual understanding and consensus among residents.

He added that this is the key value of the Saturday morning tea model, as well as of the locality’s broader 'skilful mass mobilisation' initiatives.

Every Saturday morning, chairman and deputy chairmen of the Kiến Hưng People’s Committee, together with leaders of departments and agencies, visit villages in person to speak with residents and listen to every opinion. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Thu

At the Tân Trào Industrial Cluster groundbreaking ceremony, Phạm Ngọc Đại, general director of Sao Mai Kiến Thụy JSC, the project investor, thanked the city and local authorities, particularly the 610 households whose land had been acquired.

He said they had supported the land acquisition policy, cooperated in the land inventory, received compensation and assistance payments, and handed over their land on time.

Chairman of the Kiến Hưng People’s Committee Phạm Văn Định said that once operational, the industrial cluster would help expand the locality’s development space, boost modern industry and services, and provide new impetus for the southern economic area of Hải Phòng.

This result demonstrates the effectiveness of the leadership and management of the local Party organisation and authorities. It also serves as evidence of the strength of solidarity among the people and the confidence of residents in the socio-economic development policies of the Party and State. — VNS