Hoi An and Da Nang, Viet Nam, 23 July 2026: The second day of the study tour of Knowledge Exchange Program (KEP) 2026 further showcased local-level plastic waste management initiatives to advance towards a circular economy in Viet Nam. 

The day began with a visit to the Cu Lao Cham (CLC) Islands. The island has been practicing zero-waste and plastic-free island management since 2009.  Participants visited the Ocean House Waste Collection Facility and a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The ocean houses serve as dedicated drop-off hubs, located at various points throughout the local harbors and beaches. As fishing is the primary livelihood for residents of the CLC Islands, these houses are constructed for fishermen to deposit waste such as plastic bottles, fishnets, fishing gears, and other rubbish collected during fishing trips. Meanwhile, the MRF station, which is located in the residential area of the island, showed participants how the local community processes organic and recyclable waste, using collected rubbish from surrounding households.

The final site visited was the Recycling Workshop: Tai Sinh Studio (Xưởng Tái Sinh), a local studio and educational space that exhibits various artworks, such as sculptures, bags, and hats that are made entirely of waste. Participants learned that the materials used to create these artworks range from detergent bottles to television scraps and fishing nets, which are gathered from various sources such as through landfills, scrapyards, or donations. The studio operates as a sustainable hub and is constructed entirely of recycled and discarded parts, demonstrating the commitment to circular practices and sustainability.

By the end of the two-day study tour, participants gained deeper knowledge and understanding on how systems thinking and mapping, as well as behavior change communications activities practiced at the community level, are interconnected factors that can support efforts to transition towards a more sustainable and circular waste system. 

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The SEA-MaP Regional Project hosted its third iteration of the Knowledge Exchange Program in Da Nang, Viet Nam, on 20-23 July 2026. The Program focused on “Advancing Circular Economy for Plastic Waste: System Innovation and Strategic Policy Approaches”, delivered through an interactive training and study tour across four days.

Visit these links to read more on the training sessions and the first day of the Study Tour.