Ho Chi Minh City takes the lead in high-tech urban farming
The city’s push for advanced farming methods could reshape food production in crowded cities.
VIETNAM – Ho Chi Minh City is taking firm steps to make farming smarter and more space-efficient aiming to have 75 to 85 percent of its agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production value come from high-tech methods by 2030.
City officials are shifting from low-yield crops to advanced production systems focused on vegetables, flowers, fruits, and biotech breeding. Almost half of the city’s agricultural output already comes from modern farming techniques.
The Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Agricultural Park is at the center of this change. It works as a research and training hub, supporting start-ups, developing new crop varieties, and sharing technical knowledge with local growers.
As land space tightens due to urban expansion, the city’s strategy connects food security with urban planning and technology. The goal is to encourage smart farms, indoor cultivation, and food production within the city. “We want to show that sustainable food systems can thrive even in highly urbanized areas,” said a city agriculture official.
Inside the plant factory system
At the Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Centre, scientists have introduced a new model called the Plant Factory System. It is based on a Japanese hydroponic method that allows plants to grow without soil. In a small 34.5-square-metre space, ten racks of 0.84 square metres each are stacked four levels high.
This setup creates a total growing area of 3.36 square metres per rack, making the most of vertical space.
The team has tested seven lettuce varieties from the Netherlands, Japan, and Vietnam. “Most of the varieties adapted well after several planting cycles,” said one of the researchers.
The system can produce up to 15 harvests a year, far more than traditional farming allows. The vegetables also maintain consistent quality, making the system suitable for city-based farms.
Encouraged by this success, the centre plans to extend the Plant Factory model to other high-value crops. It also hopes to share the technology with farmers, cooperatives, and local enterprises. “We want to make urban farming practical and profitable for small producers,” added the researcher.
A Model for other cities
If scaled well, Ho Chi Minh City’s urban farming project could inspire other crowded cities that struggle with food production and shrinking farmland. Experts say the approach can reduce transport costs, cut waste, and improve access to fresh food.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture has also expressed support for expanding similar high-tech systems nationwide. “What’s happening in Ho Chi Minh City could guide the next stage of agricultural development in Vietnam,” said a ministry spokesperson.
By showing how innovation and planning can work together, Ho Chi Minh City is shaping the future of food production where space is limited but the need for fresh food keeps growing.
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