VietNamNet Bridge – Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, 69, in Thanh Xuan district, Hanoi, has taken advantage of his afternoon exercise time to remove small ads on walls, electric poles, etc. to beautify the street for ten years.

Everyday, locals see an old man in old clothes walking along Nguyen Trai road in Thanh Xuan district to remove small ads on walls, at bus stops and electric poles.

Minh, a veteran, said he has performed this task for around ten years. Every afternoon, he walks from his house to Nga Tu So crossroad as afternoon exercise. On his way, Minh removed pamphlets stuck on walls. His tool is a small paper-knife, which is used to scrape papers on walls.

“I cannot remove all small ads on walls but I keep doing this task to contribute to making the street cleaner,” he said.

Minh has quietly pursued this task for ten years. Some young people have joined him to do this meaningful task.

Hanoi authorities launched several campaigns to remove small ads on walls and at public places in order to make the city cleaner. However, several days after being removed, new small ads appeared on the street.

Walls are now covered by advertisements for concrete drilling and cutting service, tutor services, etc. Hanoi needs more people like Mr. Minh to be a clean and civilized city.

Compiled by Na Son