Ornamental plants beautify urban areas.

The ornamental plant sector, encompassing flowers, ornamental trees, aquarium fish, reptiles, and more, is gradually becoming a developing trend in urban agriculture in Ho Chi Minh City. Developing this sector, while promoting cultural values, contributes to increasing green spaces in the city.

Many models generate billions of dong.

In Xuan Son commune, Suoi Rao Ecolodge, owned by landscape artist Le Thi Nga, is very famous in the Southern Key Economic Zone. In its fresh, green, and peaceful surroundings, visitors can hardly imagine that 15 years ago this was a barren land, only suitable for growing short-term crops like corn and cassava. With her knowledge and passion for landscapes and nature, Ms. Nga invested heavily, transforming the land into a small forest with diverse tree species, creating a rich ecological environment.

Acting on her idea, in 2010, Ms. Nga began seeking out architects and biologists to collect rare and valuable tree species. Initially, she had only about 1,000 trees of various types such as rosewood, cypress, and Caribbean pine. Today, her land boasts approximately 1 million trees, comprising about 700 species. Notably, there are many rare and valuable timber species such as rosewood, red sandalwood, red ebony, and Dalbergia tonkinensis, along with about 300 types of medicinal herbs such as betel, ground ginseng, ginger, mugwort, wild bitter melon, and honey locust.

Flower species such as sunflowers, bird of paradise, hydrangeas, and roses were also brought in and cultivated. As time passed, the small forest became lush with trees and flowers blooming year-round, attracting squirrels and geckos to live there, along with birds, bees, and butterflies to build nests. According to Ms. Nga, many eagles, falcons, magpies, bulbuls, warblers, and doves have now nested in the forest. Many scientists and researchers from across the country have also come here to study the area.

In Tan An Hoi commune, the Saigon Ornamental Fish Cooperative was established in 2013 and has become one of the largest exporters of ornamental fish. With a cultivation area of ​​15 hectares, the cooperative not only supplies breeding stock and guarantees the purchase of products from over 150 ornamental fish farming households in the area, but also maintains close ties with provinces such as Dong Thap and Tay Ninh, creating jobs for hundreds of local people.

The ornamental plant exhibition scheduled for mid-January 2026 at the Saigon Zoo attracted many visitors.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thuy, Director of Saigon Ornamental Fish Cooperative, said that the cooperative's development model focuses on a production chain. The cooperative members are divided into 6 production groups, each specializing in raising a different type of ornamental fish such as guppies, mollyfish, goldfish, plecos, yellowtail, and blacktail.

With the strong development of the ornamental fish farming industry, Saigon Ornamental Fish Cooperative has expanded its export market to countries such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and the Middle East. Each month, the cooperative exports nearly 700,000 ornamental fish, generating revenue of over 2 billion VND.

A peaceful haven in the city.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment, the city's ornamental plant sector has recently attracted many members, including skilled artisans, gardeners, and workers with expertise and knowledge. In addition, many activities connecting enthusiasts of ornamental plants have been organized through events such as exhibitions, competitions, and ornamental plant weeks; through online channels for trading unique, novel, and economically valuable ornamental plant products; and through various activities combining landscapes with ecotourism and outdoor recreation. This also represents a future development need for the residents of Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phung, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Ornamental Plants Association, shared that in the past, ornamental plants were a refined hobby for a select few. In recent years, ornamental plants have increasingly become a hobby for anyone who loves nature, becoming indispensable in the spiritual life of every citizen.

In today's modern society, with its fast-paced lifestyle and increasing work pressure, reconnecting with nature and creating green, clean, and beautiful living spaces has become an essential need. Stones, potted plants, miniature landscapes, and pets are not only decorative but also become companions, bringing peace and inspiration to many people.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Van, Chairman of the Vietnam Ornamental Plants Association, the global ornamental plants sector is experiencing an average annual growth rate of 6-8% in trade turnover. In Vietnam, the value of ornamental plant production ranges from 800 million VND to 2.5 billion VND per hectare per year, 5-9 times higher than other crops.

DUC TRUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sinh-vat-canh-lam-dep-do-thi-post834646.html