Green breath in the heart of heritage

HUE Not noisy, not rushed, from a heritage city, the ancient capital Hue is gradually transforming into a green city, a green lifestyle. Hue changes, quietly but distinctly.

Having the opportunity to cycle along Le Loi Street, one of the most beautiful streets in Hue and also the first model route that the city chose to deploy an environmentally friendly integrated BTS station, under the shady rows of ancient trees and in the cool breeze of the Huong River, you will feel like you are lost in a peaceful memory, completely separate from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Hue is the 6th centrally-governed city of Vietnam, possessing 8 world heritages recognized by UNESCO, which are the "original materials" that make up Hue's identity. Living in the midst of such a vibrant heritage, Hue people are imbued with the spirit of preservation and conservation. However, Hue does not sleep in the past. Over the years, this heritage city has taken on a new look of a green city, green lifestyle, green economy , friendly to the environment and people.

Hue heritage city develops in a green and sustainable direction. Photo: Van Dinh.

Having suffered heavy losses during the war, the heritage has now not only revived but also become a model for preserving heritage while protecting the environment. Walking around the relics, the system of thousands of surrounding trees creates a harmonious landscape and improves air quality. At many relic sites, water stations have been installed to reduce plastic waste. Hundreds of environmentally friendly vehicles such as bicycles, electric bicycles, and electric cars have been invested by Hue in the heritage area to develop green tourism .

Currently, along both banks of the Perfume River, the city government has renovated the walking paths, paved with stones, cleared of grass, covered with shade, bustling with the footsteps of pedestrians. From dawn to dusk, the scene of Hue people walking, cycling, practicing yoga, sightseeing... is too familiar, as part of a new, gentle, close-to-nature rhythm of life.

Since 2019, the "Green Sunday" movement launched by the Hue City People's Committee has spread the spirit of environmental protection to all classes. Having participated in many garbage collection campaigns launched by the city, I myself feel this very clearly. Now, every weekend, from leaders to people, from urban to rural areas, from young to old, everyone takes to the streets to collect garbage, plant trees, clean canals, streets, beaches, etc. The movement has gradually become a habit, a cultural feature, sowing the seeds for a positive lifestyle to build a green and sustainable Hue. Recycling collection points and classified trash bins are also placed everywhere, and "say no to plastic bags" campaigns have spread from schools to residential areas. Coming to Hue, it is very natural for people to pick up and put trash in the right place.

Peaceful life on the banks of the Perfume River. Photo: Dinh Hoang.

You may have heard of Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon, with 22,000 hectares, this is the largest lagoon system in Southeast Asia, and it belongs to Hue city. This place is not only for people living in the river area to earn a living but also a "giant" ecological lung, regulating the climate, regulating hydrology, preventing saltwater intrusion, retaining fresh water, raising aquatic products and creating a unique lagoon cultural identity. Projects on planting mangrove forests, preserving natural habitats, protecting the environment, and developing community tourism are being implemented synchronously by the government. In 2020, Hue established the Tam Giang - Cau Hai wetland reserve, as a testament and strong commitment of the city government to protecting this precious ecosystem.

Hue City currently owns more than 67,000 street trees of dozens of species, exceeding the green tree standards for a class 1 urban area and is the urban area with the highest green tree density in the country. Hue was also voted as “ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City”.

It is not by chance or coincidence that Hue is the first city in Vietnam to be selected as a “National Green City” by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). To be recognized, the city must meet strict standards on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change and sustainable development. Overcoming these factors, Hue is honored to be included in the list of global green cities, becoming a model of environmentally friendly urban areas in Vietnam.

My friends and acquaintances, whenever they come to Hue, want to stay as long as possible. They are not held back by the massive constructions or the vibrant pace of life, but by the very unique “green” quality of the heritage land, the harmony with nature. As a Hue native, not only me but everyone in this land is proud to live in a green city with the freshest air in Vietnam.

From a heritage city, Hue is continuing its journey to become a green city. Visitors to Hue will be "held" by the unique "green" features of the ancient capital. Photo: Van Dinh.

Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Cong Tin - Head of the Faculty of Environment (University of Sciences, Hue University) commented that green space in Hue is not only present through rows of heritage trees, shady street trees, walking streets along the Huong River or the green living movement of the people but also expands comprehensively in the ecological space of the entire city. From Bach Ma forest - part of the Truong Son mountain range to the immense lagoon system, Hue is currently connecting urban and nature in a sustainable whole. Preserving urban green space, conserving forest and lagoon resources and exploiting eco-tourism intelligently will be the key to green development for Hue in the future.

Hue is not in a hurry or bustling. Hue is slow. From a heritage city, Hue is continuing its journey to become a green city, a desirable living space for the people and an attractive destination for tourists, as the spirit of Resolution 54 of the Politburo clearly stated the viewpoint: "Building and developing Hue to become a centrally-governed city on the basis of preserving and promoting the values ​​of the ancient capital's heritage and Hue's cultural identity, with cultural, heritage, ecological, landscape, environmentally friendly and intelligent characteristics".

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/hoi-tho-xanh-giua-long-di-san-d767450.html