Raising her hands to pick up the ‘giant’ beans in her garden, Nguyen Hong Nhung, a member of Hoi Vuon Xinh Sai Gon (Saigon’s Beautiful Garden Association), said proudly that she has encouraged many people to grow plants since the day the association was established.

Nguyen Hong Nhung (right), a member of Hoi Vuon Xinh Sai Gon

Hoi Vuon Xinh Saigon was founded by ‘veterans’ with experience in growing and planting ornamental trees and people with a passion for planting.

“We met via the internet as we shared the same passion for growing plants. As everyone loves plants, we decided to set up Hoi Vuon Xinh Sai Gon on Facebook,” she explained.

After a period of development during which members connected a lot of people with the same love for plants, they realized there should be a place where people can go to get seeds and plants for free, or for zero dong.

The aim is to spread the passion for plants to everyone in the community.

Hoi Vuon Xinh Sai Gon now has two ‘zero dong shops’ located in the districts of Binh Tan and Tan Phu in HCM City. People come to exchange plants and seeds.

Nhung stressed that the shops are open to all people, not only members of the association.

“All people who love greenery and want to grow plants are welcome at the ‘zero dong shops’. They can take any plant they want there away and grow them at home. All of them are free of charge,” she said, adding that the members of the association are happy if people want to grow plants because they help make the city greener.

People who come to take seeds and plants will be given detailed instructions about how to grow and care for the plants. All of the members of the association have experience in this field. They are ‘experts’ and ready to share their experience.

The demand is so high that the shops sometimes don’t have enough plants and seeds.

“One of the most wanted plants is rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). This plant has a very seductive scent that many people like. As there were not enough plants, we decided to give the plants to those who came first,” she said.

There are two areas at ‘zero dong shop’, including one for plant display and another for seed storage.

“Those who want to donate plants will put their plants in the area for plant display, and those who want to donate seeds will put seeds in plastic trays for storage,” Le Thi Toi, a member of Hoi Vuon Xinh Sai Gon, said.

People who come to take seeds and plants will be given detailed instructions about how to grow and care for the plants. All of the members of the association have experience in this field. They are ‘experts’ and ready to share their experience.

On the Sunday of the last week of every month, the association organizes meetings and opens a ‘plant market’ where plants are sold at zero dong.

The ‘trade fairs’ attract as many as 200 plant lovers who come to exchange information and receive seeds and plants.

Nhung said the association’s members receive photos of plants and flowers from people who have grown plants with seeds from their shops. A small area on a balcony or part of roof can turn into small garden for grapevine trellis heavy with fruit, or colourful flower gardens. 

Le Ha

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