City of colorful flowers

Royal poinciana flowers are in full bloom throughout the city

The elderly happily walk on the cool green sidewalks. The young enjoy taking pictures with the colorful flowers. The city is gentle and familiar to everyone, partly because the nature and trees here are increasingly lush.

Flowers are always blooming

Happily capturing the beautiful images of the urban landscape during the blooming season of royal poinciana flowers, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa in Thanh Binh Ward excitedly said: “We take photos in every season so as not to miss the most beautiful moments. I am proud to be born and raised in a place with beautiful scenery that attracts the attention of many people.”

Many people know that before becoming a city of colorful flowers like today, trees were the weakness of Hai Duong city. This was also the biggest minus point when the city became a type I city in 2019. At that time, the density of urban trees in the city was only 6.78 m2/person while the minimum standard was 10 m2/person. This is a difficult and unsolvable problem when the green tree system, although rich and diverse in species, lacked uniformity. On the other hand, before that, tree planting was based on the preferences of families, causing the trees to be planted in a messy and uneven manner. The planning still had many limitations and inadequacies, so there were roads and streets planted with 8-10 types of trees. In addition to affecting the landscape and not being suitable for the size of a type I city, some types of trees in the city are also a concern, posing a risk of insecurity, especially when the rainy and stormy season comes. The image of trees being knocked down by storms used to be a nightmare for many city residents.

The Northwest region's Ban flowers are grown a lot in Hai Duong city, concentrated on main roads, parks, and public places.

When material things are abundant, people will be more interested in enjoying the fruits of a first-class urban area. Especially when the urbanization process takes place rapidly, affected by the urban effect, people want to have a relaxing space. Based on practical requirements, in recent years, Hai Duong City has made efforts to improve the quality of urban greenery.

In addition to preserving traditional trees such as banyan, lat, and xa cu... that have been associated with the old streets, Hai Duong City has researched and planted new types of trees with bright, eye-catching flowers that attract many people. After only a few years, the city seems to have put on a new and more poetic coat, which changes color with each season. Sometimes it is brilliant with the red of royal poinciana and barringtonia flowers, sometimes it is shy with the pink, white, and purple of ban flowers, sometimes it is pure with the white of sua flowers and milk flowers, sometimes it is bright yellow with Osaka flowers and phong linh flowers...

The flower and tree-lined streets become more and more attractive to all classes and ages in each season. The city's appearance is increasingly youthful but also very poetic and lyrical.

The most prominent highlight in the effort to create a landscape for the first-class urban area of ​​Hai Duong City is the construction and maintenance of Truong Thinh flower garden (Tan Binh ward) according to each season, sometimes with sunflowers - a flower that reminds us of the name of the light of the eastern coastal region of Hai Duong province, sometimes with purple and pink tulips... Each time this flower garden "changes its appearance", it brings joy to the people and tourists when coming to Hai Duong City.

Efforts to improve the green tree and flower garden system have brought joy and satisfaction to the people. Mrs. Pham Thi Hoat, 76 years old, in Hai Tan ward, excitedly said: “I never thought that I could see the typical flower of the Northwest region (ban flower) right near my house. In the past, there was a time when Hai Duong town was also covered with green trees, but they were just simple shade trees. But now, the green trees in Hai Duong city have many meanings and effects, not only limiting pollution and dust, but also creating shade, making people love the city even more.”

Brilliant red phoenix flowers bloom throughout Hai Duong City every summer. Photo: Thanh Chung

Continue to improve

In just nearly 4 years since being recognized as a type I urban area, Hai Duong City has made efforts to overcome the limitations of green tree criteria. Currently, the city's green tree density has reached 9.78m2/person, an increase of 3m2/person compared to 2019. There are many streets planted with unique trees such as Truong Chinh Street, which impresses with the yellow color of royal poinciana flowers, Vo Nguyen Giap Avenue, which is full of white bauhinia flowers, Thanh Nien Street, which is full of purple Lagerstroemia flowers, etc. Thanks to the decorative flowers, the urban architecture becomes harmonious and balanced, reducing the angularity of the infrastructure.

Hai Duong City has determined that by 2030 it will be a “Green, smart, friendly, and safe” city. Putting green as the first criterion has shown the city’s determination to build a sustainable urban development in the future.

In the following years, Hai Duong City strives to achieve a green tree ratio of 15 m2/person in the entire urban area, and 8 m2/person in the inner city area. This is not an easy goal as it requires large resources. On the other hand, the city aims to manage the green tree system using digital applications, so the immediate tasks are even more difficult. Moreover, choosing the type of tree to plant is not a matter of a day or two, but requires calculation and research on the type of tree with characteristics suitable for the climate and soil, and especially must be supported by the people. There are still many difficulties ahead, but from the recent changes in the green tree system, the city is showing high determination.

The implementation will be reviewed, based on specific conditions and situations. Mr. Tran Ho Dang, Chairman of Hai Duong City People's Committee emphasized that prioritizing the development of green trees, especially trees with beautiful flowers, is the solution to help the city develop sustainably. Faced with the disadvantages caused by climate change and the consequences of urbanization, only green trees can help minimize risks, so that people can live safer and healthier. This is the true value of a livable city. Hai Duong City is continuing to make efforts to perfect the green tree criteria, determined to bring a new look and new nuances to the first-class urban area.

In the coming time, along with proactively implementing tree planting and replacement on planned routes, the city will encourage investors in residential and urban areas to plant additional trees and urban flowers. Planting goes hand in hand with care and protection. The city calls on all citizens to preserve and cherish the green lungs in the heart of the city.

The image of a fresh and radiant Hai Duong city with the colors of flowers is multiplying. Each flower season will be a unique and special story about the city, along with love and belief in the positive changes of the city.

STRONG