Protecting Vietnam’s Green Spaces

In 2011, Toyota Motor Vietnam (TMV) embarked on a massive reforestation project. Together with the Institute of Ecological Economy (EcoEco) and the Union of Vietnam Science and Technology Association, TMV launched the Eco Forest, a tropical forest landscape spanning 25 hectares.

Like several other countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has been experiencing rapid development and industrialisation for the past few decades. This steady urbanisation, however, has brought about severe ecological degradation and pollution within many parts of the country. Overcoming deforestation is also another environmental challenge that Vietnam currently faces, especially with rural communities deploying “slash and burn” cultivation techniques to groom land for agricultural use. As Vietnam’s population continues to grow, these environmental issues will only worsen – it is imperative that organisations today build sustainable business practices, and at the same time find ways to restore and protect our precious green spaces.

Rebuilding Nature

Situated on Giong Temple in Soc Son, Hanoi, the Eco Forest brought together various flora ecologies in one highly biodiverse nature reserve. In the years since the first trees were planted, the Eco Forest has completely reshaped the hilly terrain on which it rests. The forest is home to at least 25,000 rare trees, which have their endemic structures perfectly preserved.

A Reserve For Eco Education

The Eco Forest is part of a larger scheme of initiatives under the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, built to drive future society to coexist with nature. Today, the Eco Forest has become more than just a reforestation project – it serves a much greater purpose of environmental education in the area. The Eco-Explosion Area has been established as an exhibition area, showcasing specimens and documents to educate the public on the importance of conservation. The forest is also a vast outdoor training ground for the younger generation, who visit to participate in environmental education activities. With these green initiatives, Toyota strives to enhance the environment in Hanoi, and in doing so, improve the lives of the people living in it.