Japanese garden retreat to open in HCM City

A Japanese-style garden, the first of its kind in Viet Nam, will open in HCM City on March 2.

Based on Japanese materials and culture, the 20,000sq.m Rin Rin Park (Tung Son Thach Hoa Vien) in Hoc Mon District combines rocks, water and plants, offering a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city.

Hundreds of bonsai trees, 4,000 tonnes of rocks of different sizes and colours, and an outdoor pond with 200 Japanese Koi fish have been arranged by a Japanese artisan and more than 100 Vietnamese workers.

Ngo Chanh, the garden's owner, an overseas Vietnamese who lived in Japan for 31 years, said that he spent seven years preparing materials for the construction, which took seven months to complete.

"Vietnamese visitors will understand more about Japanese culture as they enjoy a Japanese-style green space as well as unique Japanese cuisine offered in the food court," Chanh said.

The Viet Nam Association for Ornamental Creatures has chosen the garden as the venue for the International Ornamental Creatures Contest in the Asia-Pacific region in 2015.