CAMPAIGN SUMMARY REPORT ‘KITCHEN GOD DAY 2026’

Implemented from October 28, 2025 to February 10, 2026 (the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month), the ‘Kitchen God Day 2026’ campaign has concluded its nearly four-month journey with many positive outcomes, marking a greener and more sustainable Lunar New Year season for the community.

The year 2026 also marks the 10-year milestone of Keep Vietnam Clean’s persistent environmental actions during the traditional Tet holiday. It has been a long journey of commitment, innovation, and the continuous promotion of sustainable values.

INTRODUCTION TO KITCHEN GOD DAY 2026

Kitchen God Day is an annual initiative by Keep Vietnam Clean aimed at promoting civilized Tet practices and reducing environmental impacts during the Kitchen God Festival, a time when large amounts of votive ash, ceremonial offerings, and plastic waste are generated.

Through cleanup activities, waste sorting, community training, creative communications, and partnerships with recycling units, the campaign seeks to create long-term behavioral change rather than merely addressing short-term issues.

In 2026, the campaign focused on 03 key objectives:

1.Researching and connecting waste treatment partners
Identifying, piloting, and establishing partnerships with sorting and recycling units to effectively process plastic waste and votive ash collected during

    2.Raising awareness and changing community behavior
    Enhancing understanding of the environmental impacts of votive ash and plastic waste, while encouraging reduction, proper sorting, and responsible disposal practices after worship ceremonies.

    3.Promoting men’s participation in environmental activities
    Creating opportunities and space for men to actively engage in environmental protection activities, contributing to changing the perception that environmental work is primarily associated with women or youth.

    CLEANUP & WASTE SORTING RESULTS

    In just two days of cleanup activities at five locations in Bo De Ward (Hanoi) and Thuy Loi Village, the campaign recorded nearly 2 tons of waste collected and sorted, including:

    • 780.7 kg of Joss paper ash
    • 603 kg of ceremonial offerings
    • 306.4 kg of plastic waste
    • 301.3 kg of other waste (ceramic fragments, plastic from confectionery packaging, mixed materials…)

    Notably, 2026 marks the first time KVC partnered with a sorting facility in Bac Ninh and the Vinatic recycling plant (Hai Phong) to thoroughly process 46.9 kg of clean plastic bags after collection, contributing to improved post-campaign waste treatment efficiency.

    VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

    The campaign received the support of nearly 120 volunteers (41.53% male) from various organizations and institutions: Keep Vietnam Clean Organizing Committee, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Bo De Ward, Youth Union of Vietnam Airlines Corporation, Delegation of the German Embassy in Hanoi, and the volunteer team of InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72.

    The diverse participation from government, businesses, and local communities created strong collective momentum for this year’s cleanup activities.

    COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY EDUCATION

    Alongside environmental actions, the campaign continued to strengthen education and behavior-change communications.

    Online communication performance

    • 1,640,538 people reached
    • 50,434 engagements

    These figures were generated from: KVC’s official social media channels, user-generated content (UGC) from contest participants, and amplification through Media Ambassadors.

    “Sustainable Tet Practices” Training Sessions

    02 training sessions were organized for 209 local residents (34.5% male), including members of the Women’s Union, Veterans’ Association, and Youth Union in Bo De Ward and Thuy Loi Village (Hanoi).

    The trainings focused on:

    • The current situation of joss paper burning and plastic waste in Vietnam
    • Environmental and health impacts of joss paper burning on air quality, water sources, and family well-being
    • Simple, practical, and immediately applicable solutions during Tet

    Workshop “Visual Storytelling: From Idea to Video”

    27 young participants (29.41% male) joined the workshop to gain short-form video production skills and were inspired to participate in the TikTok contest “Clean Ash – Green Tet – Share Kindness,” in response to Kitchen God Day 2026. The event was held at Read Station – Book Coffee & Library (Venue Sponsor) with professional support from the Center for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents (TPD).

    TikTok Content Creation Contest “Clean Ash – Green Tet – Sharing Good Intentions”

    The contest received 26 submissions from various provinces and cities nationwide:

    • Hanoi: 51.7%
    • Ho Chi Minh City: 24.1%
    • Hai Phong: 10.3%
    • Other localities: Binh Duong, Hai Duong, Da Nang

    Participants were primarily young people aged 15–26, with the 22–23 age group being the most prominent (36.36% male).

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

    Keep Vietnam Clean sincerely acknowledges and thanks:

    • Silver Sponsor: Asian Trails
    • Bronze Sponsors: Pacific Environment, Hanoi Toronto School, Enzyco, Wide Eyes Pupils, Kapiti College
    • Co-Sponsors: Acacia International Pre-school, BIS, EXO Travel Vietnam
    • Inspiration Sponsors: Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi, Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort & Spa, Emeralda Resort Tam Coc, InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72, and Diamond Westlake Suites
    • In-kind Sponsors: Chula, Meo Tom Handmade, Song Cai Distillery, Bio LAK Vietnam, Aquatics Hub Hanoi, Unrolled. Upcycled & Unique, and Green Gem Shop
    • Venue Sponsors: Diamond Westlake Suites, Read Station – Book Coffee & Library
    • Partners: Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Bo De Ward, Delegation of the German Embassy in Hanoi; Recycling Partner: Vinatic; Professional Partner: Center for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents (TPD)
    • Media Partners: YBOX.vn, Phap Luat Viet Nam, VNA Media, VTV1, Chuyen Dong 24h, VOV Traffic, Vietnam.vn
    • Communications Ambassadors: Nguyen Quoc Hoang Kha (Kha Khong Rac), Ho Thi Thu Thuy (SUI Da Vegetarian)

    Community support has always played a crucial role and remains a strong source of motivation for Keep Vietnam Clean to continue researching and developing new initiatives to reduce negative impacts on the natural environment.

    Keep Vietnam Clean sincerely appreciates the partnership and support of all sponsors, partners, volunteers, and community members.

    #KeepVietnamClean #KitchenGodDay2026