Litterers in Da Nang Fined and Publicly Named Over Loudspeakers | Tuổi Trẻ Online (VN)

In Da Nang, Vietnam's vibrant coastal city, a determined effort is underway to tackle the persistent issue of littering and improper waste disposal. Tuổi Trẻ reports on the city's new, assertive approach, which includes publicly shaming offenders over local loudspeakers and at community gatherings. This strategy reflects a cultural emphasis on collective responsibility and the power of community pressure to enforce social norms. The city's leadership, including Vice Chairman Tran Nam Hung, is making it clear that local authorities will be held accountable for ensuring residents dispose of their trash correctly.

The scale of the problem is significant, with Da Nang generating between 1,600 and 1,700 tons of household waste daily, a figure that surges during peak tourist seasons and holidays. This places a considerable strain on the city's waste management infrastructure. The Khánh Sơn landfill, the primary disposal site for the older part of Da Nang, is nearing its capacity, with projections indicating it will be full by October 2026. This impending crisis underscores the urgency of the new measures and the need for a fundamental shift in public behavior.

What makes Da Nang's approach particularly noteworthy from a local perspective is the direct confrontation with offenders. Naming and shaming, while potentially controversial in some Western contexts, is seen here as a necessary tool to foster a sense of civic duty. The authorities believe that public accountability, coupled with clear guidelines and community engagement, is essential to cultivate a cleaner city. This method highlights a belief that individual actions have a direct impact on the collective good and that transparency in enforcement is key to changing ingrained habits. The success of this initiative will depend not only on the strictness of enforcement but also on the community's willingness to embrace these changes for the betterment of their shared environment.

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This issue requires decisive action from the ward authorities. Any individual who litters improperly, any individual who is fined for indiscriminate dumping, their identity should be publicly announced on the ward's or commune's broadcast system. Then, at meetings, their names should be mentioned so the community knows. This is also a form of propaganda and public information to change people's awareness.