Current Role | Founder and Executive Director, CHANGE Vietnam |
Previous Position | Vietnam Country Director, 350.org |
Key Recognition | First Vietnamese to join Antarctic expedition | CNN Hero (2022) | Obama Foundation Fellow |
Background and Early Foundations
Hong Hoang’s journey as an environmental activist began far from the tropics — in the icy terrain of Antarctica. In 1997, she became the first Vietnamese person to set foot on the continent, part of a global expedition to raise awareness about climate change. That singular experience transformed her life and launched a lifelong mission to awaken environmental consciousness in Vietnam.
Armed with international exposure and local passion, she returned to Vietnam and built CHANGE — the Center of Hands-on Actions and Networking for Growth and Environment — a youth-powered NGO that has since become a model for environmental activism across Southeast Asia.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
1997 | First Vietnamese to visit Antarctica as a climate envoy |
2013 | Founded CHANGE Vietnam |
2016 | Launched major wildlife trafficking awareness campaigns with WildAid |
2020 | Led Ho Chi Minh City’s first youth climate strikes and air quality movements |
2022 | Named a CNN Hero; selected as Obama Foundation Asia Fellow |
- Campaign Reach: 10M+ people engaged online and offline
- Youth Participation: Trained 3,000+ climate ambassadors across Vietnam
- Policy Influence: Contributed to Vietnam’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) advocacy
- Key Focus: Climate justice, pollution reduction, wildlife trafficking, sustainability education
Leadership Style and Influence
Hong is known for her community-first approach, creative mobilization tactics, and cross-sector partnerships:
- Builds campaigns using social media, street art, and influencer collaborations
- Connects local youth with global networks like 350.org, Earth Hour, and UNDP
- Promotes climate literacy in schools, workplaces, and rural villages
- Engages with government on low-carbon urban planning and climate resilience
She is also recognized internationally for being among the first Southeast Asian environmental leaders to blend policy, pop culture, and activism.
Legacy and Future Focus
Hong Hoang’s legacy is rooted in Vietnamese-led climate advocacy:
- Shifted environmental issues from elite circles to mainstream awareness
- Trained a generation of young green leaders across Vietnam
- Made CHANGE Vietnam one of the most agile and respected NGOs in Southeast Asia
Looking ahead, she is:
- Scaling her climate ambassador program to other ASEAN countries
- Developing a youth-focused carbon tracker and gamified sustainability app
- Hosting Vietnam’s first regional climate film and storytelling summit (2025)
