How Vietnam can rethink urban parks for tourism
Dr Ong notes that for Vietnam, the goal shouldn’t be to replicate these models exactly, but to adapt their core strategies through thoughtful design, cultural activation, and visitor-friendly infrastructure to the local context.
First, Vietnam should invest in tourist-ready infrastructure. According to Dr Ong, improving basic park infrastructure, such as lighting, multilingual signage, restrooms, shaded seating, and clear walking trails, can greatly enhance the visitor experience and make Vietnam’s parks more welcoming to international tourists.
She believes that parks should highlight ecology and education. “Many parks, especially those with botanical collections or water features, are ripe for eco-tourism development.”
Initiatives such as guided birdwatching tours, children’s nature discovery zones, and transforming the Saigon Zoo into a combined heritage and conservation center can enrich public understanding of biodiversity while promoting sustainable tourism.
To enhance urban tourism, parks should be connected through green corridors and cultural trails rather than functioning as standalone attractions. For instance, walking or cycling paths in Hanoi could link Thong Nhat Park to the Old Quarter, while in Ho Chi Minh City, a riverfront greenway could connect Bach Dang Park to the Opera House, museums, and markets.
“This approach integrates parks into the urban tourism fabric, encouraging exploration beyond traditional hotspots,” Dr Ong says.
Dr Kanagasapapathy emphasises the importance of programming parks with year-round activities to keep them vibrant and engaging. “Tao Dan Park already comes alive during Tet – so why not build on that momentum throughout the year?” she suggests.
Thong Nhat Park could host storytelling installations, art exhibitions, or weekend cultural fairs. Meanwhile, Bach Dang Park, with its prime riverside location, is well-suited to night markets, outdoor performances, and interactive light installations.
To further elevate the park experience, Dr Kanagasapapathy highlights the opportunity to celebrate Vietnam’s world-renowned street food culture. Initiatives might include curated food zones, riverside cafés with shaded seating and live music, or pop-up food trucks tied to cultural events, such as a rotating “Taste of Vietnam” held weekly at Bach Dang Park.
The timing is opportune: work has begun on a striking 720-meter-long footbridge shaped like a nipa palm leaf that will link Bach Dang Wharf Park with Thu Thiem. Designed with open viewing decks, lanes for cyclists, and accessibility features, the bridge is expected to draw significant pedestrian flow directly into the park, creating a natural stage for culinary and cultural programming while establishing a new architectural landmark along the Saigon River.
At the same time, designing parks for digital culture is key to engaging a new generation of visitors. Dr Kanagasapapathy says: “Simple design interventions such as floral archways, mural walls, or creative lighting can turn parks into Instagram destinations.
“Collaborations with influencers, photographers, and KOLs can boost visibility and tourism organically.”
In short, RMIT experts notes that Vietnam already has the raw materials: location, climate, culture, and creativity. With modest investment, cross-sector collaboration, and a shift in mindset, the country’s parks can evolve from passive public spaces into tourism icons where nature meets culture and memory-making begins.
Dr Kanagasapapathy concludes: “The real question isn’t if Vietnam’s urban parks can become travel magnets, but how quickly cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can embrace the opportunity to lead the way in green tourism.”
Story: June Pham
