Across the world, there are many unique and beautiful gardens, like the serene Japanese “Zen” gardens, the elegant Renaissance gardens of Italy, and the charming “cottage-style” gardens of England. At HAIS in Vietnam, we have our own special garden—one that is truly “more than just a garden.”This garden is designed using the traditional Vietnamese “garden-pond-hut” model. The materials used here are thoughtfully chosen, mainly consisting of bamboo, reclaimed wood, and repurposed items. This creates a warm, natural atmosphere that feels close to the earth. The 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)—a guiding principle throughout HAIS—are deeply integrated into the garden, where materials like paper, plastic, metal, and wood are collected, transformed, and turned into unique and artistic new creations. These efforts help conserve resources, reduce waste, and breathe new life into old items. For example, colorful recycled doors are repurposed into functional items, and beautiful decorations and furniture are crafted from tree stumps, discarded tires, old barrels, and wooden pallets. The garden even features a thatched-roof house, home to the maintenance team who specialize in creating recycled art.Though the space is small, the HAIS garden embraces eco-frie
Across the world, there are many unique and beautiful gardens, like the serene Japanese “Zen” gardens, the elegant Renaissance gardens of Italy, and the charming “cottage-style” gardens of England. At HAIS in Vietnam, we have our own special garden—one that is truly “more than just a garden.”
This garden is designed using the traditional Vietnamese “garden-pond-hut” model. The materials used here are thoughtfully chosen, mainly consisting of bamboo, reclaimed wood, and repurposed items. This creates a warm, natural atmosphere that feels close to the earth. The 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)—a guiding principle throughout HAIS—are deeply integrated into the garden, where materials like paper, plastic, metal, and wood are collected, transformed, and turned into unique and artistic new creations. These efforts help conserve resources, reduce waste, and breathe new life into old items. For example, colorful recycled doors are repurposed into functional items, and beautiful decorations and furniture are crafted from tree stumps, discarded tires, old barrels, and wooden pallets. The garden even features a thatched-roof house, home to the maintenance team who specialize in creating recycled art.
Though the space is small, the HAIS garden embraces eco-friendly natural farming techniques that promote biodiversity and improve soil quality. Banana grove, natural fertilizer areas, and companion planting are all part of the garden’s design. Students can see both perennial fruit trees and a wide range of vegetables and flowers growing together, including local varieties and exotic plants like Australian mint and American lemons. The garden also houses a small fishpond surrounded by a babbling stream, home to a variety of aquatic life. Playful fish swim freely, and frogs, who are typically quiet, become excited and croak loudly just before it rains, filling the air with their joyful chorus. In addition to the plants, the garden is home to several animals, including “super egg-laying” Egyptian chickens, friendly Vietnamese and French pigeons, and this year, six adorable rabbits. Four of them are white and still waiting for names, while the remaining two, a gray one and a black-and-white one, have been lovingly named “Oreo” and “Milk-shake” by Jessica from Year 3.
The HAIS garden is not just about preserving nature; it’s a place for students to relax, play, and learn. Here, students can lie back on the soft green grass, sit by the birds or rabbits, or relax under the shade of trees in a vibrant, flower-filled area, where they can read a book, paint a picture, or chat with friends. The garden offers hands-on learning experiences, deepening students’ understanding of biology, ecology, and nutrition. It also provides opportunities for students to engage in gardening, building teamwork, responsibility, and relaxation, all of which enhance their mental well-being and social skills.
Ms. Tran Hanh An, the CEO of HAIS, says, “The garden is like a living library, bringing learning to life in a practical and vibrant way. It also provides a space for relaxation and fun, making learning both effective and enjoyable.” Studies have shown that spending time in nature can significantly reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance mental health. Research from NCBI reveals that 92% of individuals experience consistent improvements in health outcomes when they engage with natural outdoor environments. This reinforces the idea that by integrating the garden into students’ lives, HAIS not only enriches their educational experience but also nurtures their physical and mental health, all while fostering a deeper connection to the environment.
This is why the garden at HAIS is so special—it’s not just important for students in Year 11 like me, but for children of all ages, from Early Years to Secondary students. It encourages us to connect with the natural world and appreciate its wonders. In this way, the HAIS garden is much more than just a garden. It’s a classroom, a library, a playground, and an ideal space for relaxation, all rolled into one.
