Locals built a boat using thousands of recycled plastic bottles to raise awareness about pollution in Vietnam.

Footage shows the homemade vessel floating along the banks of the Hau River in Con Dao.

Around 2,500 bottles were fastened with wire mesh and secured with cables to form the structure.

The platform was crafted from wood and displayed a Vietnamese flag on a pole.

One of the builders said the project aimed to raise awareness on the environmental impact of plastic waste and promote eco-friendly alternatives.

He added: ‘We want to build a clean, green, safe, and sustainable environment here.'

Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with analysts likening its rise to that of China at the turn of the century.

However, there are concerns over the impact on the environment in the country.