After graduating from the Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry in 2003, I was offered a teaching and scientific research post at the University. In 2004, I was offered a scholarship to study in Thailand for four months. This was the first time to experience the use of advanced technology for agriculture in a foreign country. After my return to Vietnam, I focused on research related to the planting of trees in big cities and ‘urban agriculture”. In my opinion, urban agriculture is a solution to the problem of food security and environment protection. Research interests include: “growing Microgreens in the city”, “growing vegetables and ornamental plants through the hydroponics method in the city”, ”vertical gardens”, and “‘hanging gardens”. Currently, I am studying on a PhD program in Thailand in order to enhance my knowledge and the quality of my future research. My goal is to help every citizen in the city have a vegetable garden on their terrace, and also to help people build vegetable farms in sandy areas, deserts, wetlands, and islands, providing economic opportunities to those coping with the global challenge of climate change.

The planting of trees is the best way to protect the environment. In urban areas, the development of green spaces is not easy to do due to the limited space and the number of buildings. However, spaces like balconies and terraces in large buildings can be used for cultivating trees and plants. Through the design of the Vertical Garden Kit, we can help families take advantage of these areas to produce fresh vegetables for family meals as well as to use for entertainment or decoration purposes. This kit requires an area of only 5m², but can grow at least 750 plants. If each household had a green space provided by this kit, our city will become greener, and the vertical gardens will effectively contribute to both environment protection and sustainable development initiatives in our city. In addition, it provides a potential resource of fresh vegetables for daily meals.