Can you name some of the ‘greenest’ streets in Ho Chi Minh City, where rows of age-old trees are lined along their sides?

The idea of growing green trees along pavements on streets citywide was brought about at the beginning of the French colonial era in the southern Vietnamese metropolis back in 1863.

The French people wanted to add more greenery to the city so that they could live more comfortably in the local tropical weather.

Various fruit trees, including tamarind and mango, were first planted in the plan, but those choices were later proven not quite suitable.

After considering various alternatives, officials of a board in charge of the tree-growing plan eventually decided to go with golden oak (Hopea odorata), which can now be found abundant at 30/4 Park in District 1.

Tall ancient trees, particularly golden oak, have been connecting with the lives of many generations of Saigonese for over one and a half century.

Tran Phu Street in District 5 is shaded with beautiful lines of golden oak.

 

Ngo Gia Tu Street in District 5 is noted for its lines of tall ancient trees.

 

People gather at a public playground in District 5 where there are many green trees.

The area surrounding Turtle Lake in District 1 is always shaded, thanks to countless tall trees nearby.

Green trees cover Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 3.

There are dozens of tall age-old trees on Nguyen Binh Khiem Street in District 1.

Ly Tu Trong Street in District 1 is one of the few remaining thoroughfares in the city still lined with tamarind trees.

Binh, a beverage street vendor near the Notre-Dame Basilica in District 1, said that without the trees surrounding, the cathedral wouldn’t look that nice.

People enjoy their leisure time under the shade at 30/4 Park in District 1.

A number of golden oak trees line Hung Vuong Street in District 5.

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