Ho Chi Minh City, August 2, 2025 – The Vietnam Bamboo Foundation was officially launched in Ho Chi Minh City, with a mission to fully harness the potential of bamboo in Vietnam. The fund aims to contribute to sustainable development, preserve national cultural heritage, and support climate change adaptation. The event was organized by the Bamboo Foundation (a social enterprise) and brought together representatives from government agencies, social organizations, businesses, experts, and bamboo enthusiasts from both Vietnam and abroad.
Vietnamese Bamboo – A Cultural Symbol and a Green Solution for the Future
For generations, bamboo has been closely tied to the daily life of the Vietnamese people—not only in living and production but also deeply rooted in their cultural identity and collective consciousness. Bamboo appears in proverbs, folk songs, village landscapes, and tales reflecting the resilience and endurance of the Vietnamese spirit.
Today, amid the global challenges of climate change and the urgent call for sustainability, bamboo is being redefined, not just as a cultural symbol but as a groundbreaking green solution. With its fast growth, high carbon sequestration capacity, erosion control, and soil restoration properties, bamboo is an ideal material for sustainable production, eco-architecture, green material innovation, and circular agriculture.
The launch of the Vietnam Bamboo Foundation marks a strategic step in transforming the image of bamboo, from a traditional symbol into a foundation for sustainable development that blends cultural-ecological heritage with innovation.
Mr. Nguyễn Tuấn Khởi speaking at the launch ceremony of the Vietnam Bamboo Foundation.
At the launch, Mr. Nguyễn Tuấn Khởi, Chairman of the Vietnam Bamboo Foundation, emphasized:
“Bamboo is not only a cultural emblem of Vietnam, but also a practical solution to today’s development challenges. The Vietnam Bamboo Foundation will act as a crucial connector, mobilizing resources to preserve, develop, and innovate based on bamboo.”
With the theme “Green Bamboo – For a Green Future,” the Foundation sets out three strategic goals:
- Preserve the cultural-ecological heritage associated with bamboo
- Raise public awareness on environmental protection and sustainable consumption
- Promote science, technology, and innovation across the bamboo value chain
The “Bamboo Village” Initiative: Reviving Green Traditional Living Spaces
During the event, the Bamboo Foundation announced its first community initiative: “Lũy Tre Làng” (“Bamboo Village”) – an ecological, cultural, and livelihood development model centered on bamboo. The project seeks to revive traditional village spaces and create a sustainable community ecosystem integrating bamboo architecture, green agriculture, traditional crafts, and experiential tourism.
A recreated village space at the launch event.
This model combines indigenous knowledge with modern solutions, fostering responsible consumption communities while preserving traditional bamboo crafts such as weaving, fine art, and eco-material production. It brings to life the Foundation’s long-term vision of building resilient, green, and community-centered societies.
Ms. Nguyễn Hoàng Trúc Linh, International Director of the Vietnam Bamboo Foundation, shared:
“Bamboo Village is a blueprint for a sustainable green community. The project not only safeguards our cultural identity but also empowers local people to develop livelihoods tied to the environment and native resources.”
Unleashing Bamboo’s Economic Potential – Developing a Closed-Loop Value Chain
Vietnam is home to over 1.5 million hectares of bamboo, encompassing more than 200 species—many with high economic value such as thorny bamboo, Tam Vong, and Luong. However, the bamboo industry remains underdeveloped and underutilized.
Bamboo grows rapidly, absorbs significantly more CO₂ than hardwood trees, prevents soil erosion, and supports ecological restoration. Recognizing these benefits, the Fund operates as a non-profit social enterprise and calls for both domestic and international partnerships.
At the launch event, the Bamboo Foundation signed cooperation agreements with businesses, cooperatives, research institutes, and international organizations in areas such as bamboo species research, green consumer product development, construction materials, interior design, and bamboo-based fashion.
Partnership agreement signing ceremony.
The Fund also kicked off a series of activities in celebration of World Bamboo Day (September 18), with the highlight being the Vietnam Bamboo Forum – a space for policymakers, experts, entrepreneurs, and communities to collaborate and shape a comprehensive and sustainable development strategy for the bamboo industry.
To realize its vision, the Vietnam Bamboo Foundation is committed to building a multi-stakeholder collaborative ecosystem, connecting actors from enterprises, research institutes, cooperatives, and global organizations. The goal is to establish a closed-loop bamboo value chain, from cultivation and processing to product design, commercialization, and sustainable consumption.
Toward a Green Future with Vietnamese Bamboo
The launch of the Vietnam Bamboo Foundation marks the beginning of a journey to revitalize the spirit of Vietnamese bamboo – a cultural, ecological, and economic resource of immense value. Through concrete initiatives, the Fund seeks to inspire communities to co-create green living environments, preserve heritage, and promote sustainability for a future in harmony with nature.
The inception and strategic direction of the Foundation not only represent a significant step for Vietnam’s bamboo industry but also convey a broader message to society about a development model rooted in nature, driven by communities, and grounded in cultural heritage.
Bamboo products were introduced at the event.
Vietnam Bamboo Foundation (VBF).
