Several well-off families in Hanoi have started to plant vegetables at their homes to ensure the quality of their food and create green space for their houses.
Small rooftop vegetable garden
Despite owning a street house or a villa worth tens of billions of dong, several families in the capital city still grow vegetables to serve their families.
“I love knowing that our vegetables are safe and healthy. When we grow them ourselves we know for sure that there are not harmful pesticides or other substances," said Mr. Phuong from Ton Duc Thang Street. He grows vegetables, such as onions, lettuce and herbs like basil and coriander on his rooftop.
He said that organic soil costs around VND60,000 (USD2.87) per five-kilo bag, seed costs from VND15,000-VND30,000 (USD0.7-USD1.4) per 100 gramme. He can harvest most of his vegetables within two weeks of planting them.
“Even though we have a domestic help, I like growing the vegetables myself, as I find it to be pleasant work,” he shared.
Several of his friends have followed his lead in creating their own gardens.
Mrs. Bui, of the Hoang Quoc Viet Urban Area, said she spends her idle time planting vegetables and she is happy to take care of them.
Currently many of her neighbours have followed suit. She has also taught her offspring how to grow vegetables.
Creeping spinach grown on a balcony
Gardens equal green space
Apart from the demand for safe food, many families in Hanoi and HCM City grow vegetables as a way to decorate their houses.
Le Ngoc Giang, an architect, said that it is possible to create beautiful green spaces on rooftops if the design fits.
Nguyen Minh Thanh from HCM City’s Go Vap District, said her shop has seen a considerable increase in sales of vegetable and flower pots recently.
Thanh added that these pots cost VND130,000 (USD6.2), and even a modest space of one square metre could house around ten pots. Thanh said it would be easy for a familly to start their own garden, even if they do not have much space.
The potters have been betting on increased sales in the near future because of this trend. Many Vietnamese are becoming more concerned about the safety of their food and the lack of green space in the city.
Bitter melon blossoming on rooftop
