Veterans participate in planting reeds to prevent erosion along the Lam River banks.

Faced with the increasing erosion of the Lam River banks, the Veterans Association of Thanh Giang commune held a meeting and decided to launch a campaign to plant reeds to combat soil erosion and landslides. To kick off the campaign, on the morning of March 31st, nearly 100 members from two branches (Binh Ngo and Lam Dinh) planted 35,000 reeds.

To get reeds for planting, the veterans had to go out and cut them early in the morning. Photo: Diep Phuong

Bundles of reeds were carried across the river by the veterans. Photo: Diep Phuong

Mr. Nguyen Van Dong, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Thanh Giang commune, said: "Recognizing that reeds are easy to grow and can withstand flood conditions, making them very suitable for planting along riverbanks, the Association unanimously decided to choose them for planting to prevent erosion and contribute to environmental protection."

The reeds were cut into 60cm long sections and then planted on the riverbank. Rows were spaced 1m apart, and plants were spaced 50cm apart within each row. Photo: Diep Phuong

This reed planting campaign by the Veterans Association of Thanh Giang commune will take place over two days (March 31st and April 1st), with 8 branches and 295 members participating.

From a barren riverbank, under the skillful hands of the veterans, the bank was covered with green reeds in just three hours. Photo: Diep Phuong

Previously, in order to implement the tree-planting campaign during Tet (Lunar New Year), three branches (Lam Dinh, Binh Ngo, and Tien Cau) of the Veterans Association of Thanh Giang commune organized the planting of 70 mahogany and eucalyptus trees to create shade around the sports fields of each branch, providing recreational areas for children and teenagers.