With the aim of improving the urban ecological environmental quality for people, from 2020, the ‘One Million Trees in Cities’ (MTIC) project initiated by Da Nang-based GreenViet, a non-profit organisation working to conserve important ecosystems and endangered species in the Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands regions, has completed the planting of more than 19,000 trees in Ha Noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Da Nang young people are seen planting trees supported by GreenViet at the Nai Hung 3 Park, Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District. Photo: DAN TAM

GreenViet eyes to reach the target of planting 1 million trees in the cities during the 10-year period, 2020 – 2030 with funding from communities, local people and businesses, to help clear air pollution in the three most crowded cities.

Funds for this landmark project are donated from an UpRace community challenge, organised by Tech giant VNG.

Each kilometre from the race’s attendees will fetch donations of at least VND1,000 from sponsoring companies in raising funds for NGOs, Newborns Viet Nam, Operation Smile Viet Nam, Saigon Children’s Charity, and GreenViet.

Not only contributing to improving the quality of the air environment, this highly-meaningful activity also helps to raise public awareness about the value of urban trees.

Forming green parks

More recently, an bustling ambiance was recorded at the Nai Hung 3 Park located in Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District with many local dwellers joining the planting of  trees.

At this park, GreenViet targets to plant nearly 4,000 trees, of which more than 50 are fruit and shade trees such as jackfruit, guava and mango, whilst the rest are smaller trees and flowers such as bougainvillea, rhododendrons and persimmons to create an eye-catching green space.

As a companion with GreenViet to implement the project of planting trees and raising public awareness about the benefits of green living, members of the Green Uni Club, Youth Union organisation of the Da Nang University of Economics, have actively participated in the planting of trees at the University of Technical Education, Nguyen Van Thoai and Son Tra senior high schools, and the To Hien Thanh and Huynh Ngoc Hue Primary schools.

In 2021, the Green Uni Club, in collaboration with GreenViet, implemented the planting of more than 100 trees in total. In addition to turning the school campus into a green space, the tree planting contributes to creating a cool atmosphere, airy natural space offering a healthy learning environment for students.

Towards urban greening

Under the ‘One Million Trees in Cities’ (MTIC) project, since June 2020, more than 4,000 trees have been planted in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and an ecological garden in Dien Ban, Quang Nam Province.
In 2021, GreenViet coordinated with relevant agencies and tertiary establishments to plant 18,600 urban trees, of which 13,300 were planted in Da Nang.

In addition to planting trees at the Cultural House Park of Nai Hien Dong Ward, Nai Nghia Park, Nai Hung 3 Park and Phuoc Truong Communal House in Phuoc My Ward, Son Tra District, GreenViet is launching the planting of trees 7 local schools.

Mr. Nguyen Van Linh, Project Coordinator of ‘One Million Trees in Cities’, GreenViet,  said: “The biggest success of the project is to spread the spirit of tree planting to dwellers in Ha Noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City”.

Not only bringing seedlings and planting techniques to people, planting trees has helped roads, parks, and schools to go green with the beauty of trees and flowers.

Mr. Linh also added, in terms of the environmental significance, with more than 19,000 trees planted along inter-village and commune roads, a green wall will be created to prevent dust from a popular act of burning rice straw by farmers.

Meanwhile, the green-covered schools create a friendly nature with fresh air, stirring up excitement for the students during their on-campus learning.

In terms of social significance, this project has called for a large number of participants.

As calculated, a combined total of more than 1,000 volunteers, members of local veterans and women's unions, Youth Union chapters, students and local residents have participated in tree planting activities.

“It can be said that the project enhances the spirit of community cohesion, helps students on know how to plant trees and build effective team collaboration and follow an environmentally and nature-friendly lifestyle.

Following great success recorded in 2022, GreenViet eyes to plant more trees in 2 parks for strolls in Son Tra District and about 25,000 trees in the 3 cities, including 9,000 in Da Nang.

According to the World Health Organization, green spaces such as parks, sports fields and wetlands or other ecosystems, represent "a fundamental component of any urban ecosystem”. “Green urban areas facilitate physical activity and relaxation, and form a refuge from noise. Trees produce oxygen, and help filter out harmful air pollution, including airborne particulate matter,” it said.

Reporting by DAN TAM – Translating by A.THU