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| A part of the existing biodiversity along Cach Mang Thang Tam Street. Photo: Cong Nghia |
From tree-lined streets, parks, and street corners to green spaces interspersed within residential areas, they are quietly softening the rhythm of urban life every day.
Green in every street corner and alley.
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, many people stroll leisurely along Nguyen Van Tri Street under the shade of old tamarind trees. Along the park bordering the Dong Nai River (Tran Bien Ward), besides the tamarind trees, there are rows of crape myrtle trees whose fallen blossoms paint the street corner red. Further away are the purple blossoms of the crape myrtle, the yellow of the osaka tree, and many other trees such as the star tree, oil palm, and ornamental palm, creating the characteristic green landscape of the riverside urban park.
It is this abundance of plant species that creates a diverse ecosystem within urban spaces, a fact many people fail to recognize.
While in the past, many streets were lined with only a few familiar tree species, in recent years, the urban green space system has become increasingly diverse. Besides native species such as Dipterocarpus, Shorea, Tamarind, Lagerstroemia, and Barringtonia, many tree species suitable for the local climate and soil conditions have been introduced and planted interspersed, contributing to a more varied landscape.
Mr. Tran Tri An, who has been associated with this land for nearly 40 years, expressed: Urban green biodiversity refers to the richness of plant and animal species in the city's green spaces. This contributes to beautifying the landscape, regulating the climate, preserving native plant species, improving the quality of life, and bringing people closer to nature.
According to Mr. Tran Tri An, Dong Nai has experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization in recent years. However, what is commendable is that the city not only focuses on protecting natural forests but also gradually fosters biodiversity within its urban environment. This allows residents to connect with nature daily in their living spaces.
Along many streets of the former city of Bien Hoa, one can easily find rows of trees that have been intertwined with the memories of many generations. There are the tamarind trees leading to the Tran Bien Temple of Literature, exuding the solemnity of this ancient land. There are the towering rows of oil palm trees on Nguyen Ai Quoc Street, whose blossoms, in the early summer afternoons, flutter in the wind like spinning windmills, delighting passersby. There are the rows of sandalwood trees providing shade on both sides of the road leading to Bien Hoa train station. Or the rows of trumpet trees, resembling a miniature Da Lat along Cach Mang Thang Tam Street.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Be My, a frequent walker in the riverside park, shared: "The most fascinating thing is the change in the trees with the seasons. When the flamboyant trees blaze red at the street corner, when the osaka trees paint the sky yellow, and when the crape myrtle trees bloom, their delicate red blossoms gently cover the walkway."
"I have the feeling that the city I live in is always fresh and new. The green spaces and seasonal flowers make life more relaxing, and I feel closer to nature," said Ms. Bé My.
Besides providing shade, trees also help reduce urban heat, create habitats for many species of birds and insects, and enrich the ecosystem within the city.
When greenery becomes an identity, an urban memory.
Amidst the vibrant life of Tran Bien ward, it's easy to find streets and corners overflowing with greenery. From Hung Dao Vuong, Phan Dinh Phung, Cach Mang Thang Tam, and Tran Minh Tri streets to the Thanh intersection area and around Bien Hung park, each street possesses its own unique beauty under the cool shade of trees.
Every flowering season, these paths become a popular meeting place for many young people. Some stroll along, others leisurely admire the scenery, and some capture photos amidst the vibrant colors of the flowers. Many elderly people choose to sit under the trees, sipping coffee or playing chess.
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| A corner of the park along the Dong Nai River (Tran Bien Ward). |
Mr. Nguyen Sinh, the owner of a plant nursery in Tran Bien ward, believes that planting a lot of trees isn't enough. More importantly, it's about choosing the right species and the right location to maximize ecological value while ensuring safety and harmony with the urban environment.
In reality, some tree species need replacing because their strong root systems damage sidewalks; some, though short, have wide canopies that obstruct visibility and affect traffic safety. Others are brittle and easily break during storms, posing a safety risk and requiring regular pruning. There are even cases where urban trees have to be cut down because their flowers have an overly strong scent, affecting residents' daily lives.
Therefore, to create green urban spaces, in addition to increasing the number of trees, it is also a matter of planning, selecting species, and managing and caring for them so that the trees both contribute to the ecological value and harmonize with the urban landscape and life.
According to forestry experts, the soil and climate characteristics of Dong Nai are particularly suitable for Dipterocarpus trees, which are characteristic species of the Southeast region. These tree species provide good shade and contribute to preserving the local ecological identity. A 300-year-old Dipterocarpus tree in Dong Nai was recognized as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree by the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment in 2023. Besides native trees, it is also necessary to selectively add new species to enrich the urban landscape while ensuring harmony with the natural environment.
Strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and the United States.On July 3rd, as part of the Pacific Partnership - Friends of the Pacific 2026 program, the U.S. Army Pacific delegation, led by Lieutenant General Joel Vowell, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, paid a courtesy visit to the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command. Mr. Tran Anh Dung, the owner of an environmental business in Dong Nai, believes that trees are like the memories of a city. He argues that some roads, without their familiar rows of trees, would lose much of their original character and charm. He cites the example of the ancient frangipani trees in Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park. Even though there are almost no factories operating there anymore, he frequently visits just to admire the frangipani trees that have been a part of the country's first industrial park for many years. He expresses his hope that when Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park undergoes a change in function, the authorities will preserve these long-standing trees as a part of the memory and identity of this land.
Perhaps the value of urban biodiversity doesn't lie in grand concepts, but begins with the shade of a row of trees, the blooming flowers on the street. These simple things are contributing to making Dong Nai greener, more livable, and closer to nature.
Morning
Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202607/a-dang-sinh-hoc-giua-long-do-thi-fdc0642/
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