The "Save Our Seas" journey of a Vietnamese photographer.

“Save Our Seas” is a 33-day journey across Vietnam's coastlines by photographer Lekima Hung. The trip took him to Vietnam's polluted beaches, to islands where waste disposal is rudimentary, and to the waterways of the Southwestern Mekong Delta where "when the water rises, the trash floats with it."

According to global research, Vietnam's seas are facing a major plastic waste problem. Vietnam is currently one of the four countries that pollute the ocean the most, discharging approximately 1.8 million tons of plastic waste into the ocean each year. In terms of overall waste volume, in 2015, waste in Vietnam's coastal and marine areas exceeded 14 million tons per year, accounting for about 60% of the country's total waste. Plastic bags, bottles, straws, cups, and bowls are particularly widely used due to their durability, lightness, and low cost. However, they are also devastating killers of the ocean.

Although everyone knows the importance of the seas and oceans in the economy, society, politics, and military, people still don't understand the serious impact of plastic waste on the environment in general, and on the seas and oceans in particular.

Driven by a desire to contribute his expertise and capture the most authentic images of the waste and pollution problem along Vietnam's coastline, Lekima Hung embarked on this memorable journey. He hopes that his 33-day cross-Vietnam trip, photographing plastic waste pollution along the coast and documenting the serious impact of waste on daily life, will help raise awareness about environmental protection.

Lekima Hung's photographs and his journey across Vietnam are being exhibited by the Canadian Embassy at the first international workshop on "Consultation on the Development of a National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Waste Management" for Vietnam, held on December 10, 2018.

Phuong Ngoc