From discussing Vietnams waste problem to singing Karaoke...?

Currently traveling in Vietnam, and this is a special place! From vibrant cities with millions of people to cozy beach towns and green mountains, everywhere you go, you will eat some of the best food of your life and meet the nicest locals who are happy to help you and are always up for a chat. This country is definitely suited for every type of traveler.

I was almost certain I would meet a Purpose Driver in this country, and oh yes, this was definitely a meetup I will never forget!

Please read on to hear how we went from discussing topics like “Who Is Responsible for Solving the Waste Problem in Vietnam?” to singing karaoke, drinking local rice wine, and laughing with a Vietnamese family in their house. More about that later in the blog…

I am traveling from south to north Vietnam. Almost every traveler who follows this route stops in a place called Hoi An, and this is not a coincidence.

This place is popular among tourists for many reasons: its beautiful old center, which is one of the few places in Vietnam that was not bombed during the Vietnamese War (what locals call The American War, by the way); the history of Japanese, Chinese, and French influence that you can still see in the architecture; the thousands of lanterns that turn the city into something close to a fairytale at night; fun activities like cycling tours through rice fields, jump in a coconut boat, and visits to local agriculture and craft workshops; or cooking classes where you learn how to make delicious rice paper dishes.

The everyday (night) markets are also famous and very popular here.

Here are some pictures from Hoi An

But back to the topic, because this blog is not about Hoi An, although I could go on and on about this place.

In Hoi An, I got in contact with Xuan Quach. She has been the coordinator of the Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance since 2017, and is a recognized leader in the field of sustainability and waste reduction in Vietnam.

I contacted her, and she replied quickly that we could come over. She even asked if I was interested in having dinner with her whole family, plus friends and colleagues…

This offer describes Vietnamese hospitality in the best possible way.

After a few days, we jumped into a taxi and drove to her house, where we had an open conversation about many interesting topics.

Interestingly, she didn’t start her career in environmental work. Her background was in water resources management and economic development, focusing on projects that improve people’s living conditions and local economies.

But in 2017 she met members of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), an international network advocating for alternatives to waste incineration (a high-temperature process that burns waste and converts it into ash, gas, and heat).

During their visit to Vietnam, GAIA shared stories and ideas about the zero waste movement.

One story stuck with her.

A director from GAIA described cleaning plastic waste from a beach near his childhood home. Every day, he would collect bags of trash, only to see the beach covered in plastic again the next day.

That’s when he realized something important: the problem wasn’t just litter, it was the system.

Inspired by this idea, she organized a workshop on zero waste in Vietnam in 2017. At the time, the concept was still very new in the country.

What started as a small initiative, including a simple Facebook page, eventually grew into the Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance.

Turning Ideas Into Action

Today, the alliance works on several fronts to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices.

One major focus is policy advocacy. The organization works with policymakers to push for stronger regulations on waste management, including reducing single-use plastics and encouraging circular economy solutions.

In parallel, they also focus on building practical examples of zero waste systems in everyday settings like schools, residential neighborhoods, markets, and offices.

Schools, in particular, are a powerful starting point.

“If you work with schools,” Xuan explained, “you reach the students, the teachers, and the parents at the same time.”

Personally, I think this is a very smart strategy. Teaching kids is easier, and they are the future.

A 75-year-old man selling fruit to sustain himself is probably not interested in a lecture about reducing plastic use, and that is completely understandable.

Education for children, after all, is one of the most important tools for long-term change.

The Waste Challenge in Vietnam

Like many countries experiencing rapid economic growth, Vietnam is facing an increase in waste, especially plastic.

One of the biggest challenges is awareness and waste management infrastructure.

While national laws now require households to separate their waste, many cities still lack the systems to collect and process it separately.

When people take the effort to sort their trash but see it mixed again during collection, trust in the system quickly disappears.

Tourism: Challenge and Opportunity

In popular destinations like Hoi An, tourism adds another layer to the waste problem.

Travelers often generate large amounts of single-use plastic through takeaway food, drinks, and packaging.

But tourism can also be part of the solution.

Many international visitors are already environmentally conscious and willing to adapt their behavior if the right systems and information are provided.

“If tourists understand how the system works,” she said, “they are usually willing to follow it.”

Why Change Takes Time

When asked about the biggest challenge in her work, Xuan didn’t hesitate: improving policies and law enforcement.

Convincing local governments to adopt new environmental regulations can be a slow process. But she believes strong leadership is essential.

Clear policies and enforcement can quickly influence behavior at every level, from businesses to consumers.

Her work is part of a broader international movement supported by networks such as Break Free From Plastic, connecting activists and organizations around the world working toward the same goal.

A Long Journey Toward Zero Waste

One thing she emphasizes again and again is patience.

“Zero waste is a journey,” she said. “There is no quick success.”

Real change takes time, education, and cooperation between governments, businesses, communities, NGOs, academia, and consumers.

Xuan gives the example of Japan. The country once struggled with serious waste problems, but through strong leadership, technology, and the willingness to change, it has become one of the most advanced countries in waste management today.

That example gives hope and motivation.

Progress is definitely happening. The alliance continues to grow, new schools are adopting zero waste practices, and more people are becoming aware of the problem.

And that’s where real change begins.

A Simple Message

At the end of our conversation, she shared a message that stayed with me.

No single person can solve the environmental crisis alone.

But everyone can contribute in small ways, reducing waste, making conscious choices, and inspiring others to do the same.

Or as she put it:

“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

From Interview to Karaoke

After the interview, it was time for dinner, and dinner here is not like dinner in the Netherlands.

The way I explain it to my European friends is: Vietnamese tapas.

Big shrimps, fresh squid, spring rolls, different types of vegetables, fried fish, rice, and soup. You get your own bowl and simply take whatever you like.

Everything was fresh, local, homemade, and delicious.

During dinner, we had fun conversations with the whole group. It was special to talk with her family and colleagues.

At some point, someone asked if I wanted some local wine.

“Of course, thank you!” I replied. I hadn’t had wine in a long time.

But when I took my first sip, I realized this was not wine as I knew it…

It was local rice wine, usually drunk by the men, and it contains 40–50% alcohol!

The sudden transition from a serious interview about waste policy to drinking a big, full glass of rice wine and laughing with everyone around the table was completely unexpected, and exactly what I love about life and traveling!

After dinner, we helped clean the table, and then the speaker was connected.

Karaoke started!

This is very common in Vietnamese culture. Many houses have a karaoke system and use it regularly.

After some Vietnamese hits, we sang André Hazes and ABBA. Everyone joined in, singing their favorite songs.

What this really shows

This experience reminded me once again that people everywhere are not so different.

We are all here to enjoy time with family and friends, share food/music, and have a good time, and if we can, add something positive to our community. 

With everything going on in the world, it can sometimes be hard to see that.

But in every place I visited during my travels, it was the local people who made it special, from bus drivers and kitchen staff to tour guides and strangers on the street.

Everyone was open to interact, a quick chat or a joke, even considering their sometimes difficult circumstances.

Thank you, Xuan Quach, for being open and welcoming me into your home and introducing me to your family and friends. 

Definitely memories for a lifetime.