Lam Dong, 3 October 2026 – Central Retail Vietnam, in collaboration with Gaia Nature Conservation, organised Tree Planting Day 2026, bringing people together to plant 5,500 new trees and contribute to restoring and protecting Vietnam’s green spaces. At Ta Kou, the programme selected Giáng hương (Burma padauk), a native hardwood tree species, to support ecosystem restoration and increase green cover in the area.

This marks the fourth consecutive year the event has been held. Under the guidance of Gaia experts, more than 130 volunteers, including Central Retail Vietnam employees, members of the leadership team and invited guests, took part in preparing the soil, planting trees and learning about the conditions required for trees to grow successfully on sandy terrain. The activity offered participants a hands-on opportunity to connect with nature and to see how even small actions can create meaningful impact.

For Central Retail employees, the event was also an opportunity to strengthen team spirit while taking pride in contributing tangible value to the community.

This year’s Trees Planting Day was honoured by the participation of distinguished guests, including Dr Nguyen Trung Thang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; Dr Kim Thi Thuy Ngoc, Head of Science and International Cooperation at ISPAE; Miss Cosmo Vietnam 2022 - Nguyen Thi Ngoc Chau; Runner-up Miss Cosmo 2025 - Chelsea Fernandez (Philippines); and Runner-up Miss Cosmo 2024 - Mook Karnruethai Tassabut (Thailand). Although representing different countries and organisations, the guests shared a common purpose: working together towards a greener future.

Mr. Olivier Langlet, Group CEO of Central Retail Vietnam, said: “Environmental challenges increasingly require stronger collective action from both communities and businesses. Last year, also at Ta Kou Nature Reserve, Central Retail Vietnam worked with its collaborators to plant 1,000 trees, contributing towards a total of 35,000 trees across a range of ecological areas throughout Vietnam.

This year, we are very proud to plant an additional 5,500 trees, more than five times the number planted last year. Through this, we aim to further strengthen Central Retail Vietnam’s sustainability commitment under the Better for Vietnam strategy, while supporting the Government of Vietnam’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

We believe sustainability is an integral part of the Group’s investment and growth strategy in Vietnam. The Central Retail Vietnam team is proud to contribute to a greener and more sustainable Vietnam.

Ms. Do Thi Thanh Huyen, Founder and Executive Director of Gaia Nature Conservation, shared: “Central Retail Vietnam’s tree planting campaign is highly meaningful and demonstrates a strategic approach to sustainable development. At a time when Vietnam continues to face extreme weather events, droughts, flash floods and landslides linked to climate change, expanding forest cover is one of the most effective and fundamental nature-based solutions.”

She added: “Central Retail Vietnam’s continued commitment goes beyond a short-term communications activity. It reflects the long-term social and environmental responsibility of a leading retailer. Newly planted and restored forests can increase greenhouse gas absorption, protect soil resources, preserve groundwater and strengthen the resilience of local communities. More importantly, the campaign also helps promote greener lifestyles and inspires millions of customers and collaborators to take action for a greener and more sustainable Vietnam.”

Dr. Nguyen Trung Thang, Deputy Director of ISPAE, emphasised: “The tree planting day at Ta Kou Nature Reserve is a practical initiative that contributes to restoring coastal forest ecosystems, responding to climate change and protecting nature. It also reflects the spirit of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration by translating commitments to nature conservation and sustainable development into practical contributions at community level.

The Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment highly appreciates the initiative and the role of Central Retail and Gaia in advancing this effort, and looks forward to continued collaboration on green transition, circular economy, nature conservation and sustainable development initiatives in Vietnam.”

Ta Kou Nature Reserve is recognised as one of the world’s 221 most important ecological regions, home to a diverse ecosystem that is currently facing coastal sandy-soil erosion. Forest planting in the area not only helps stabilise sandy soil and regenerate nutrient-poor land, but also creates conditions for flora and fauna to develop sustainably. The new forest areas also help protect water resources, reduce the risks of desertification, sandstorms and drought, while supporting local livelihoods through agriculture and ecotourism.

Launched in 2023, Tree Planting Day is a collaborative initiative between Central Retail Vietnam and relevant organisations, aimed at expanding green spaces in Vietnam and contributing to national goals for forest restoration and biodiversity conservation.

From the first trees planted at Xuan Lien National Park in Thanh Hoa, the programme has since expanded to multiple provinces and cities, with more than 35,000 trees planted in ecologically significant areas including Thanh Hoa, Dong Nai, Ca Mau, Can Tho and Lam Dong.

By combining the volunteer spirit of employees with the support of consumers, the programme is helping create a platform where everyone, from individuals to organisations, can contribute to building a greener Vietnam.