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Beyond their tireless efforts to maintain urban cleanliness, environmental workers in Da Nang have quietly earned admiration for their noble acts of integrity. These individuals have gone above and beyond their duties, often finding and returning lost items, from personal documents to cash, to their rightful owners. In 2024 alone, the Da Nang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company and its labor union recognized 29 cases of “good people, good deeds,” showcasing the extraordinary character of these everyday heroes.
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Acts of Kindness in Action
One recent example of this dedication occurred in the Dien Bien Phu underpass in Thanh Khe District, where Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha Quyen, an environmental worker, discovered a wallet containing personal documents, bank cards, and cash during her night shift. Unable to contact the owner, Ms. Quyen handed the wallet over to her enterprise, which diligently searched and successfully returned it after four days.
This is not an isolated incident. Her colleague, Ms. Luu Thi Duyen, similarly found and returned a wallet containing cash and critical documents. These actions are part of a broader pattern among the city’s environmental workers, who often take it upon themselves to locate the owners of lost items. When personal efforts fail, the workers escalate the matter to their enterprise, ensuring the items are returned promptly and responsibly.
Recognizing the Noble Efforts
The Da Nang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company actively celebrates these acts of integrity. In 2024, the company and its labor union formally recognized individuals who demonstrated exceptional honesty and altruism.
- Ms. Tran Vu Ha Lan, a worker at Hai Chau Environment Enterprise, was recognized three times for returning high-value items, including cash and luxury smartphones.
- Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuan received awards in both 2023 and 2024 for her consistent acts of kindness, reinforcing her reputation as a model employee.
These commendations serve not only as personal accolades but also as a means to inspire others, spreading a culture of honesty and community care within Da Nang and beyond.
A Culture of Integrity and Community Care
According to Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Director of Thanh Khe Environment Enterprise, returning lost items has become a hallmark of the workers’ character. Their acts reflect not only individual integrity but also the collective values of the organization. “Workers have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to not just environmental cleanliness but also the well-being of residents and visitors,” he said.
The recognition of these acts has become a priority for the company and its labor union. Mr. Pham Trung Thanh, Chairman of the Labor Union at the Da Nang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company, emphasized that these workers embody the dual mission of maintaining a clean city while upholding a moral compass. “These workers’ actions showcase their dedication to their duties and their compassion for the community,” he stated.
The recognition of environmental workers as everyday heroes serves a broader purpose: it inspires a ripple effect of kindness and integrity across Da Nang. By celebrating their noble actions, the Da Nang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company promotes a positive narrative about the essential role these workers play—not just in sanitation, but in fostering a community rooted in mutual respect and trust.
Their stories serve as a reminder that behind every clean street lies not only hard work but also a deep sense of care for the city’s people. These environmental workers, often working unnoticed under the cover of night, are now rightly recognized as the heart of Da Nang’s moral fabric.
Lead image courtesy of NAM TRAN (The leadership of Da Nang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company and Hai Chau Environment Enterprise presented awards for “good people, good deeds” to workers who returned lost items).
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