The Green Retreat: Ecopark’s Journey to Pioneer a Forest Escape in Vietnam

It’s a blend of therapeutic, restorative, and regenerative living every day at the Eco Retreat project.

The Journey of Sustainable Real Estate Development

Based on the principle that the most livable places are where nature wants to dwell, and that a home is where the forest builds its nest, Ecopark’s founder has persistently pursued green and sustainable real estate for the past 22 years.

Ecopark residents enjoy a refreshing life amidst nature.

This has been proven through the creation of happy cities with hundreds of thousands of “wealthy” homes under the canopy of trees. One such example is the Ecopark Green City in Hung Yen, boasting a million trees and a four-season park system that is among the largest in Northern Vietnam. It has also been recognized as Asia’s most outstanding sustainable development by the International Property Awards.

Another notable project is the Eco Central Park, the largest green space in Central Vietnam and a symbol of luxurious green living in Nghe An province. In 2023, Ecopark’s founder ventured south with the Ecovillage Saigon River project, which was hailed as the “Best Master Plan Design in Asia” by the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (APA) 2024.

Resident’s life under the green canopy.

According to Ecopark’s founder, constructing a true eco-city demands numerous factors, including trading off commercial areas for green spaces, intentionally selecting nature layers to enhance resident’s health benefits, and ensuring the development of a sustainable ecosystem.

In reality, the urban areas developed by Ecopark have “no sleeping lands.” Any vacant lots are utilized as nurseries, not just at the Ecopark Green City but also in various provinces across the country. This ensures that the trees are well-adapted to the local soil and can easily thrive in the new cities that the investor intends to create.

Intricate water bodies regulate air and enhance property values.

Along with greenery, Ecopark focuses on creating vibrant internal water bodies. To achieve natural water flow, the lake beds in each area are designed with varying heights, creating a multi-level system. This continuous circulation enables self-cleaning, preventing the outbreak of algae that can cause pollution. This eco-friendly method of cleaning the water not only enhances aesthetics but also contributes to air regulation, humidity balance, and view value for houses adjacent to the water.

Pioneering the Development of Retreat Real Estate in Vietnam

Eco Retreat spans 220 hectares.

Building on the brand’s values and past accomplishments, in 2025, Ecopark’s founder embarked on another milestone in their southern expansion with the Eco Retreat project. While carrying the “green gene,” this development is driven by a more ambitious vision. It is a “therapeutic forest” city with retreat homes and a pioneer retreat community in Vietnam, blessed by nature and living “wealthy” under the forest canopy: abundant in health, happiness, and positive emotions. The homes at Eco Retreat offer a forest bathing experience with every step and a comprehensive therapeutic, restorative, and regenerative environment in every breath.

Eco Retreat boasts eight layers of nature.

While the Ecopark Green City in Hung Yen, spanning 500 hectares, impresses with its million trees, Eco Retreat takes a different approach. With a size of 220 hectares, it features over four million trees from 300 different species, forming eight layers of nature. This unique design places beautiful streets and neighborhoods within a “forest,” offering a distinct and enchanting living experience.

Sound bathing at Eco Retreat.

Conveniently located in the western part of Ho Chi Minh City, Eco Retreat is just a 30-minute drive from Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 via Vo Van Kiet Boulevard and the Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong Highway. At Eco Retreat, 80% of the retreat therapies originate from nature, while the remaining 20% are active therapies such as mineral baths, meditation, sound baths, spa treatments, nutritional counseling, psychological counseling, and daily retreat practices.

With a master plan that prioritizes nature’s impact, Ecopark’s founder allocates 55% of the area to landscapes, 25.5% to infrastructure, and only 19.5% to housing. This means that owners of Eco Retreat properties are essentially getting four to five times the space for the price of one.

Sports gardens encourage resident’s physical activity.

To ensure the effectiveness of the retreat regimen, which includes therapy, restoration, and regeneration, Ecopark’s founder has dedicated 50 hectares of the central core area to create 20 interconnected retreat themes, such as fruit gardens, vitamin gardens, experience gardens, sports gardens, creative gardens, meditation gardens, chess gardens, and patience gardens. The distance from the homes to these gardens is a convenient 200 meters, always within sight, suitable for all generations, and a constant reminder to incorporate comprehensive retreat practices into daily life.

The 8-kilometer forest bathing path at Eco Retreat.

The highlight of the retreat circle at Eco Retreat is the 8-kilometer therapeutic forest path, which is 50% longer than the standard forest bathing path recommended by the Shinrin-yoku forest bathing therapy. This Japanese therapy, officially recognized by the government and incorporated into the national healthcare program in 1982, involves immersing oneself in nature. At Eco Retreat, residents can combine forest bathing with onsen therapy at the clubhouse for optimal results.

A 2015 study by Stanford University found that individuals who walked in the forest for 90 minutes exhibited reduced activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with rumination and negative mood. In contrast, those who walked in urban environments did not experience the same benefits.

Residents experience therapy, restoration, and regeneration in their homes.

According to experts, the ecological requirements for housing are evolving over time. In the past, homes were desired to be close to various public services and conveniently connected for children’s education and parents’ commutes. More recently, the focus has shifted to basic amenities like hospitals, schools, and parks.

In this new era, a home is not just a physical space within four walls but a place that fosters genuine connections and nurtures a sense of belonging. It must meet stringent criteria, including facilitating strong family bonds and providing daily therapy, restoration, and regeneration to become the best version of oneself.

All spaces are designed to facilitate therapy, restoration, and regeneration.

Within a 10-kilometer radius, future residents of Eco Retreat will also benefit from Vietnam’s pioneering “health campus” – the Tan Kien medical cluster in Binh Chanh district, spanning 73 hectares. This medical cluster follows the “institute-university” model and adheres to the exemplary standards of medically advanced countries worldwide.

In 2025, with the completion of the My Yen intersection, Eco Retreat residents will enjoy convenient access to the Tan Kien medical cluster via Nguyen Huu Tri – Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong Highway – Vo Tran Chi, a 15-minute drive.