Ho Chi Minh City’s green space lags behind many Southeast Asian cities: experts

The event, 'Urban Agriculture – Solutions for Green Space Development,' was organized by Kinh Te & Do Thi (Economic & Urban) newspaper in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center.

Dr. Tran Dinh Ly, vice-rector of Nong Lam University, said major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi face severe shortages of greenery that are affecting both the environment and residents’ well-being.

He noted that although the city planted more than 42,500 trees and added 237 hectares of parkland from 2020 to 2025, the growth has not kept pace with rapid urbanization.

The city’s current green space per person remains far lower than in many Southeast Asian cities.

Singapore offers around 66 square meters per person, Kuala Lumpur 23, Tokyo 10-12, and Bangkok about seven.

Experts warned that the shortage of green space poses serious challenges to living conditions and public health, urging local authorities to expand greenery through practical measures.

Lai Thanh Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Green Science and Technology Union, suggested that residents cultivate flowers, ornamental plants and small vegetable gardens at home, on balconies or on rooftops.

He said urban agriculture can improve living conditions and help create greenery in densely populated areas.

To support this effort, he called for policies that offer seedlings, technical guidance, and technology transfer to households and cooperatives, along with requirements for a minimum proportion of green space in new construction projects.

Pham Ngoc Tuan, director of Binh Dien Mekong Joint Stock Company, said urban agriculture has become part of development strategies in many countries.

Singapore uses rooftops, terraces, and multi-story car parks to grow high tech vegetables and aims to supply 30 percent of its food needs by 2030.

Japan has developed indoor farms that use artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things for controlled cultivation, while the Netherlands combines urban agriculture with greenhouse technology to grow crops despite limited land.

Experts said that despite the potential, challenges remain, including incomplete policy frameworks, limited land and infrastructure, high technology costs, and weak market connections.

Dr. Nguyen Dang Nghia, an agricultural specialist, said urban agriculture should expand beyond rooftop gardens to include biological livestock farming and diverse crop production suited to different climates.

He stressed the need for credible evaluation centers to certify safe, high quality urban agricultural products to support sustainable growth.

They agreed that even small green spaces are valuable, as they help reduce emissions, improve air quality, and create economic benefits for urban communities.