On July 5, VNFOREST, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE), launched the 2025 edition of its 'Water is Life' programme and, alongside Suntory PepsiCo, 'Nature Expedition with Mizuiku' – an educational model designed to raise awareness about the importance of forests and water resources deployed at National Parks across the country.

The launch event in Hanoi brought together representatives from the MoAE, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam, the Association of National Parks and Nature Reserves, national parks such as Tam Dao, Xuan Lien, and Cat Tien, as well as forestry institutes and leaders from the Vietnam National University of Forestry.

Ashish Joshi, CEO and general director of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam

As a company that depends on water as a vital resource, Suntory PepsiCo understands the importance of protecting it and has been actively working to address the country’s water-related challenges. Since 2021, the company has carried out reforestation projects in key watershed areas, expanding the initiative nationwide in 2024 through a public-private partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment under the 'Water of Life' scheme. The initiative aims to support water replenishment, carbon offsetting, and improved livelihoods for local communities.

Within its first year, 'Water of Life' delivered meaningful results, planting 35 hectares of upstream forests across Bac Kan, Nghe An, and Ca Mau; providing technical training to over 100 forest owners and farmers; and positively impacting thousands of people in surrounding communities.

The scheme is expanding this year with a target of planting 60 ha of upstream forests across Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, Binh Phuoc, and Long An. These priority areas have been strategically selected for their critical environmental functions, including improving water retention, mitigating salinity intrusion, and strengthening water security for surrounding communities.

The model focuses on engaging local communities and forest owners through technical training in afforestation and intercropping, helping them understand the value of forests while supporting sustainable livelihoods. Suntory PepsiCo envisions that by 2050, it will restore and replenish more water back into nature than it uses in its production processes nationwide.

Beyond afforestation, the rollout of 'Nature Expedition with Mizuiku' marks Vietnam’s first nature-based environmental education model under a public–private partnership between Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam and VNFOREST. The initiative links water and natural resource conservation with education to foster greater environmental awareness.

The initiative combines hands-on forest experiences for students with educational activities on water resources, forest ecosystems, and sustainable development. It aims to expand access to experiential learning nationwide, fostering awareness of forest conservation, and nurturing a sense of environmental love and responsibility among youth. The model will be piloted in three national parks this year, with plans for nationwide expansion in the coming years.

A 'Nature expedition with Mizuiku' excursion taking place on Luot mountain, near the Vietnam National University of Forestry

Ashish Joshi, CEO and general director of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam, asserted the company’s strong commitment to sustainability as an integral part of its business strategy. "Guided by our core values, we are proud to partner with the Vietnamese government in delivering meaningful environmental and social initiatives," he said.

"These initiatives reflect our continued commitment to integrating environmental and social impact with Vietnam’s sustainability goals," Joshi added. "As one of the first companies to form a public–private partnership with VNFOREST on sustainable forest development, we aim to inspire wider collaboration and scalable solutions for preserving forests and natural resources."

Tran Quang Bao, director of VNFOREST, recognised the contributions and pioneering role of Suntory PepsiCo, saying, "The engagement of Suntory PepsiCo reflects the company’s strong sense of social responsibility and underscores the effectiveness of the public–private partnership model in agricultural and environmental protection. This approach aligns closely with the government’s current priority to promote a green and circular economy."