Sustainability in Huế: How Green is This Urban Space?

so i just spent a week in huế and i gotta say, this place is a mixed bag. it's not the "vibrant" tourist trap you might expect. it's quieter, slower, and weirdly green in places you wouldn't think. like, i saw a family of ducks crossing the road in the city center. not a metaphor. actual ducks.

anyway, i'm here as a *budget student (read: broke and curious), and i wanted to know: how sustainable is this city really? i mean, beyond the imperial tombs and the perfume river.

the good

- bike culture: locals ride bicycles like it's 1995. i rented one for 30k vnd/day and felt like i was in a low-budget indie film. no lycra, no drama.
- local markets: nguyễn đễ market is chaotic but real. food waste is low because everything gets used. bones become broth, peels become snacks.
- tree cover: there are actual trees in the city. not just decorative ones. big, old, shady trees that make you want to nap under them.
the bad

- plastic everywhere: even the đồ chua (pickles) come in plastic bags. i tried to refuse one and got side-eyed like i'd asked for the moon.
- motorbike madness: the air quality is... questionable. i wore a mask not because of covid, but because of exhaust.
- trash in the river: the perfume river isn't always so perfumed. saw a floating chip bag and felt personally attacked.
the weird

- trash pickers as heroes: there's an informal economy of people who collect recyclables. they're not homeless, they're entrepreneurs. respect.
- zero-waste shops*: there's one. yes, one. it's run by a woman who looks like she could kick your ass and teach you permaculture in the same breath.

overheard at a cafe

>"the government plants trees but doesn't maintain them. it's like buying a plant and forgetting to water it."

>"we used to use banana leaves. now we use plastic. progress?"

cost of Living (in VND/month)

Item	Cost
Room in shared house	3,000,000
Bike rental	900,000
Meals (local)	30,000
Coffee (street side)	15,000

random tips

- bring your own water bottle. refill stations exist but are rare.
- avoid the tourist boat tours. they dump trash in the river.
- learn to say "không cần túi ni lông" (no plastic bag). locals will laugh, but they'll remember.

final thoughts

huế isn't perfect. it's not even close. but it's trying. and that counts for something. if you're into slow travel, cheap rent, and the occasional duck sighting, it's worth a visit. just don't expect it to be "eco-paradise." it's more like "eco-works-in-progress."