Ba Ria- Vung Tau (VNA) – Protecting the environment, increasing green spaces, and preserving the ecosystem are among the major solutions that help Vung Tau city of the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau uphold its ASEAN Clean Tourist City title.
Expanding green spaces, protecting the environment
Le Huy Huu Hiep, Chairman of the city Urban Park Development Company (UPC) said, urban greenery is a central aspect of the firm's strategy. To keep the urban landscape attractive and eco-friendly, UPC continually enhances and develops green spaces along major streets and urban areas. Each street has distinctive types of greenery, creating unique identities for specific locations.
Since 1999, the city’s urban green coverage has increased eight-fold, a significant accomplishment attributed to major ongoing projects. Key initiatives include the development of the Bau Trung cultural park, the Ben Dinh canal cleanup, and upgrades along the Thuy Van route and Bai Sau beach area.
New projects like the Bau Sen and Vo Thi Sau parks aim to further expand green spaces and contribute to the urban ecosystem. These efforts reflect the city’s dedication to creating a pleasant and sustainable urban environment.
In addition to enhancing green areas, Vung Tau city is seeking investment in four large-scale urban projects, including the Go Gang Ecological Urban Area, covering 1,389 hectares. This modern urban area will integrate with the nearby mangrove ecosystem and feature an airport, a centre for high-tech seafood processing, and fishing logistics facilities.
Go Gang is designed to be a sustainable urban model that blends with the natural landscape, leveraging Go Gang island’s topography and waterfront to establish itself as a distinctive, world-class coastal urban area. This development aims to maximise the island’s potential and contribute to Vung Tau’s identity as a green, eco-friendly destination.
The city is making strides in environmental protection, especially in waste management and pollution control.
Chairman of the city’s People Committee Hoang Vu Thanh emphasised the city’s commitment to maintaining clean streets, a responsible administration and community, and ample green spaces.
He said the city is on track to manage 100% of household and hazardous waste by 2025.
Additionally, the locality has set green space targets per capita, aiming to reach 7 sqm by 2025, 9 sqm by 2030, and 10 sqm by 2035.
These efforts contribute to Vung Tau's sustainable development goals, ensuring that environmental quality and urban cleanliness are maintained in the long term.
Looking towards a “green urban” future
Under the project for developing urban green spaces in Vung Tau with a vision to 2050, the city aims to turn itself into an ecological urban model that harmonises natural and cultural heritage.
A key component of this project is the preservation of the city’s unique mangrove ecosystem, which will be protected in areas like Cua Lap, Long Son and Go Gang.
These areas serve as critical green belts that connect Vung Tau with neighboring urban zones and strengthen its ecological network, supporting biodiversity and eco-tourism. These green belts are also expected to play a crucial role in linking Vung Tau to nearby cities while enhancing regional connectivity.
The city’s green initiative includes 92 tree species, strategically selected to suit different public spaces, such as parks, coastal areas, industrial zones, and streets. This thoughtful selection aims to balance aesthetics with ecological suitability, and each street is intended to have a signature species to reinforce Vung Tau’s distinct green identity.
Coastal tourist areas will feature native plants like coconut palms, tra trees, and banyan trees, while other zones will have a mix of vibrant, flowering trees that reflect the city’s tropical character.
The goal is to create a balanced, visually appealing environment that reinforces Vung Tau's identity as a green urban centre.
To expand its green footprint, Vung Tau has launched the “One Million Tree Initiative,” a programme designed to increase the city’s greenery. This ambitious initiative includes replacing underperforming trees with suitable species and planting new trees along planned and upgraded streets.
The goal is to achieve a minimum green area of 20 sqm per resident, contributing to a healthier urban environment and solidifying Vung Tau’s reputation as a green, eco-friendly tourist city.
Through these comprehensive measures, the locality is positioning itself as a leading “green urban” destination in ASEAN. The city’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection, and expanding green spaces sets a strong foundation for a future where urban growth harmonises with natural ecosystems and cultural values./.
