Transforming Ho Chi Minh city into a green oasis

On May 17, the Ho Chi Minh city's Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee co-organized the launch ceremony for the 2024 "Tree Planting Festival in Memory of Uncle Ho." Consequently, festival participants planted 2,838 trees and gifted 300 ornamental plants of various types.

The launch ceremony, held at Khanh Hoi Park in District 4, was attended by representatives from the Ho Chi Minh city's Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Vietnamese Fatherland Front Committee, the City Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Culture and Sports, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Construction, Department of Transport, Sub-Department of Forest Protection, Sub-Department of Environmental Protection, among many others.

According to Ms. Tran Kim Yen, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City, various administrative levels, sectors, local governments, agencies, and mass organizations, along with the people nationwide, have actively participated in the movement to green tree planting, afforestation, and forest protection movements. These activities have yielded significant benefits and become a cherished cultural tradition of the Vietnamese people.

"Following Uncle Ho's teachings, Ho Chi Minh city identifies tree planting and forestation as vital and regular activities that contribute significantly to the city's comprehensive development, benefiting not only the present but also future generations," Ms. Tran Kim Yen remarked.

With the aim of implementing directives from the Government and the Prime Minister, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued a plan to plant 10 million trees from 2021 to 2025.

To date, the city has mobilized and planted nearly 5.8 million assorted green trees across its territory.

Additionally, the city aims to improve on its achievements; surpass the targets set by the City Party Congress for the 2020-2025 term; establish an urban green space coverage of at leaset 0.65 square meters per person, with a target of reaching at least 1 square meter per person by 2030. Accordingly, Ms. Tran Kim Yen urged local Party Committees, governments, departments, agencies, Vietnamese Fatherland Front Committees, and socio-political organizations to strengthen their efforts in promoting the long-term benefits and role of sustainable development.

This initiative aims to further promote the green tree planting movement, as well as raise awareness and responsibility among local agencies, organizations, and residents. Consequently, the city plans to foster innovative and effective approaches, mobilize resources for tree planting, afforestation, and nature conservation activities. Notably, the city intends to follow the Prime Minister's directive: "Each person should plant and nurture at least one green tree, each household one green space, each residential area one green zone, so that Vietnam can be greener, develop quickly and sustainably. As a result, our combined efforts can improve quality of life and make a tangible contribution to protecting the Earth - the shared home of humanity."

Following the launch ceremony, District 4 organized the planting of 100 trees, including yellow-flamboyant, freshwater mangrove, crepe myrtles, Burma padauk, Java cassia, and Indian mahogany; and distributed 200 ornamental plants. Additionally, various local wards registered to plant 1,288 trees.

Ho Chi Minh city's Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnamese Fatherland Front Committee also co-organized launch ceremonies at two separate locations: Thu Duc city and Can Gio district.

Notably, 350 trees were planted within the Long Binh Train Depot located at Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Urban Railway Line 1, Long Binh ward, Thu Duc city. Planted tree varieties include pink poui, resin, hopea, and Burma padauk.

On the other hand, 1,000 poplar trees, 100 silver trumpet trees and 100 ornamental plants were planted in Can Gio Mangrove Forest, Can Thanh town, Can Gio district.

On the same day, Cu Chi District People's Committee, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh city's Department of Construction, organized the "Tree Planting Festival in Memory of Uncle Ho" in Cau Sop hamlet, Tan An Hoi commune, Cu Chi district. Consequently, a total of 164 trees were planted, including 53 resin trees, 30 Hopea trees, 58 Burma padauk trees, and 23 teak trees. These tree species were selected for their aesthetically pleasing appearances and suitability to the soil conditions and landscape of the region.

According to Mr. Le Tran Kien, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh city's Department of Construction, tree planting is a simple, low-cost, effective, and sustainable solution adopted by various countries worldwide in an effort to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The density of green trees is a crucial factor in evaluating the "livability index" of major urban centers such as Ho Chi Minh city. However, the city's current greenery standards are unable to meet the demands of its residents and the requirements of a modern, developed urban landscape.

As a result, planting and expanding green spaces are crucial to providing a clean, livable environment and improving human health.

"Achieving a high density of green trees in urban centers, similar to developed countries around the world, requires long-term efforts and community participation. This is a key factor and an effective method for managing and developing urban green spaces within Ho Chi Minh city," emphasized Mr. Le Tran Kien.