City of Saigon undergoes enhancements for enhanced citizen lifestyle

Hustle and Bustle Meets Greenery: HCM City's Green Revolution

Ho Chi Minh City, a vibrant melting pot of commerce and culture, isn't just about skyscrapers and clogged streets. It's also about transforming spaces, breathing life into its canals, and growing greener by the day.

The city's inhabitants, together with local authorities, are determined to create a living oasis amidst urban development. Green spaces aren't just decorative accents—they serve as climate regulators, air purifiers, and mental health boosters.

Take the Trường Sa Garden, for instance. Originally a landfill eyore, it has been metamorphosed into a vibrant park, complete with lush flora and beautiful landscaping. This community-nurtured gem snagged the first prize in a city-wide competition in 2024[1].

But the gardening glory doesn't stop there. Mini-parks have sprouted up across the city, breathing new life into once polluted and neglected spaces. From Alley 1041 on Trần Xuẩn Soạn Street (District 7) to a 1,000-square-meter community vegetable garden on Street No. 13 in Cát Lái Ward (Thủ Đức City), these green pockets are creating a more breathable, livable city[1].

On a larger scale, HCM City has developed riverside parks and open spaces to ensure environmental preservation. Locales like Bạch Đằng Wharf Park (District 1), parks along the Nhiêu Lộc - Thị Nghè Canal, the Saigon Riverbank Park, and the Creative Park in Thủ Đức City, offer residents a chance to engage in recreational activities while enjoying the city's revitalized riverscapes[1].

The Greener Path to Better Health

As HCM City urbanizes at breakneck speed, it faces environmental challenges such as the "urban heat islands" effect and air pollution. Green spaces are more than just aesthetic additions—they're essential tools in the fight against these urban woes.

Enhancing living standards and public health in the era of climate change and rapid urbanization, is achieved effectively by planting trees and expanding green spaces[2]. The shade provided by trees can lower urban temperatures by as much as 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, compared to barren areas[2].

The Nhiêu Lộc - Thị Nghè Canal transformed into a clean, modern and scenic waterway. Photo nld.com.vn

Plus, green spaces offer respite, exercise opportunities, and mental rejuvenation. Residents like Trần Quý Kim, who enjoys jogging at Bạch Đằng Wharf Park, describe it as an open, refreshing riverside space perfect for family gatherings during special occasions[1].

But HCM City's green journey doesn't stop at parks and gardens. It's also focusing on revitalizing its canals, turning them from toxic waterways into picturesque landmarks.

The Canal Miracle Workers

This year, the city has embarked on a grand project to dredge and restore polluted canals, starting with the Xuyên Tâm Canal—one of the city's most polluted waterways[1]. With a total investment of VNĐ17.2 trillion, this project is set to be completed before the city celebrates its 50th anniversary of liberation[1].

Meanwhile, the northern bank of the Đôi Canal in District 8 is undergoing rapid restoration. Once completed, these projects will substantially reduce environmental pollution and breathe new life into surrounding neighborhoods[1].

The transformation of the Nhiêu Lộc - Thị Nghè and Tàu Hủ - Bến Nghé canals, once begging for reinvention, have been successfully rehabilitated, turning them into verdant corridors and ideal living spaces[1]. These revitalized waterways are now vital contributors to the city's socio-economic development.

Wastewater Wonders

Alongside canal restoration efforts, HCM City is investing heavily in wastewater treatment infrastructure. The recent completion of the expansion of the Bình Hưng Wastewater Treatment Plant has doubled its capacity[1]. Plans are already underway to further boost this capacity, ensuring effective wastewater treatment for the entire Tàu Hủ, Bến Nghé, Đôi, and Tẻ canal system[1].

People enjoy recreational activities at Bạch Đằng Wharf Park in HCM City's District 1. Photo nld.com.vn

With green spaces blooming, canals being revitalized, and wastewater treatment infrastructure improving, HCM City is creating a more livable, healthier, and greener urban environment for its teeming population.

[1] https://en.nld.com.vn/hcmc-investing-in-green-spaces-to-enhance-child-friendly-city-23732590.html[2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341648555_What_Can_Green_Spaces_Do_for_Climate_Change_Mitigation_and_Adaptation_in_Cities[3] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345345796_Exploring_how_trees_and_forests_benefit_human_health[4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329494170_The_Urban_Heat_Island_Effect_Why_and_How_Green_Spaces_Can_Help[5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720301012

The government is investing in wastewater treatment infrastructure, such as expanding the Bình Hưng Wastewater Treatment Plant to improve capacity and ensure effective wastewater treatment for key canals.
In environmental-science research, it has been shown that enhancing green spaces not only boosts mental health but also plays a significant role in climate change mitigation and adaptation in cities.
Embracing the green revolution, Ho Chi Minh City is focusing on revitalizing its canals, turning toxic waterways into picturesque landmarks as part of a larger project to dredge and restore polluted canals.
The gardening efforts in Ho Chi Minh City extend beyond parks and gardens, with a focus on turning canals into verdant corridors and ideal living spaces, like the rehabilitated Nhiêu Lộc - Thị Nghè and Tàu Hủ - Bến Nghé canals.
Science demonstrates that green spaces offer numerous benefits, including cooling urban temperatures by as much as 2 to 4 degrees Celsius compared to bare areas, and providing a respite, exercise opportunities, and mental rejuvenation for citizens like Trần Quý Kim, who enjoys jogging at Bạch Đằng Wharf Park.
HCM City's ultimate goal is to create a more livable, healthier, and greener urban environment, encouraging a home-and-garden lifestyle to improve the quality of life for its residents.
The Trường Sa Garden, once a dismal landfill, has been transformed into a vibrant park through community efforts and serves as a blueprint for the city's green spaces, winning the first prize in a city-wide competition in 2024.
The environmental-science understanding of the importance of green spaces in addressing urban challenges like the "urban heat islands" effect and air pollution is driving the city's decision to prioritize green spaces as essential tools in their fight against these issues.