Cần Giờ, a coastal district 50 km southeast of central Ho Chi Minh City, is on track to become Vietnam’s flagship green urban zone, as city authorities roll out an ambitious action plan titled “For a Greener Cần Giờ". The initiative sets bold sustainability goals through 2030, aiming to reshape the area into a model for eco-friendly tourism, renewable energy, and environmental conservation.
Here are the key targets in Ho Chi Minh authorities planning:
Clean Energy Transition
- 100% of eligible public buildings will be equipped with rooftop solar power.
- Coastal wind farms and energy-recovery waste treatment plants are planned for An Thới Đông commune.
Electric and Sustainable Transport
- 100% of public transport, waste collection vehicles, and all two- and three-wheeled vehicles on Thạnh An Island will use clean energy.
- A green water bus network will link tourist hubs by 2030.
- 80% of all government vehicles will run on clean fuel.
Forest Expansion & Carbon Market Readiness
- Mangrove carbon stock assessments will be completed to enable Vietnam’s participation in the global carbon market.
- Between 2025 and 2030, 350 hectares of mangrove forests will be newly planted or naturally regenerated.
Waste & Water Management by 2030:
- Wastewater treatment systems will process 1,000 m³/day on Thạnh An Island.
- 100% of household waste will be sorted at source and properly treated.
- 40% of urban wastewater will meet environmental standards.
Plastic and Pollution Control
- A phased ban on single-use plastic bags and items will begin with local government staff, followed by tourist sites like Dần Xây and Vàm Sát.
- By 2030, single-use plastics will be minimized across all tourist areas and Thạnh An commune.
- Construction and farming operations will be required to control dust and emissions.
Green Housing and Urban Design
- Green standards will be applied to new housing and tourism infrastructure, including the upcoming Cần Giờ coastal reclamation urban zone.
- At least one “green village” model will be established by 2030.
A Unique Natural Asset
Cần Giờ spans over 70,000 hectares—about a third of Ho Chi Minh City’s area—with nearly 35,000 hectares of mangrove forest. Its wetland ecosystem, recognized as Vietnam’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been crucial in coastal resilience and biodiversity since post-war restoration efforts.
Under the city’s broader 2021–2030 development plan, Cần Giờ is also slated for strategic investments in logistics, renewable energy, free trade zones, and a deep-sea transshipment port, aligning economic growth with environmental stewardship.
By positioning Cần Giờ as a net-zero model and eco-tourism hub, Ho Chi Minh City aims to blend green innovation with responsible coastal development—offering a blueprint for other cities across the region.