As ESG gradually becomes a common standard in global real estate development, especially in coastal cities, the question posed is no longer “to have ESG or not”, but how to go further than ESG. In that context, Vinhomes Green Paradise emerges as a standout example, by adding two “++” factors: Regeneration and Resilience to expand the traditional ESG framework.
When ESG hits the ceiling, cities need a new development standard
Over the past decade, ESG has become a common standard in global real estate development, especially in coastal cities. However, as climate change becomes increasingly visible and natural ecosystems approach their carrying capacity limits, the question is no longer “to have ESG or not”, but how to go beyond this framework.
Reality shows that most current projects still revolve around the “do less harm” mindset, where nature is protected and humans are the beneficiaries. For coastal cities facing sea-level rise, erosion and unpredictable climate change, that approach is clearly not enough to ensure long-term sustainability. As the limits of traditional ESG gradually reveal themselves, the need for a higher development standard becomes urgent.
In Vietnam, Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio chooses a different path. Instead of stopping at the common criteria, the project expands the sustainable development framework into ESG++, with the ambition of redefining the relationship between urban and nature in the long run.
ESG++ as a strategic choice
The core of ESG++ at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio is defined by a deeper development philosophy: The city does not just take resources, but must give back to nature. This is not an easy choice, as it requires major trade-offs in resources, technology and vision.
According to Marc Townsend, Senior Advisor of Arcadia Consulting Vietnam, sustainable development models implemented in such a structured and disciplined way are still very rare. Executing ESG++ requires a large investment, deep participation of scientists and environmental experts, and the ability to accept short-term trade-offs to pursue long-term values. It is the prioritization of environmental governance and multi-generational vision, rather than just focusing on immediate profits, that creates the fundamental difference between the projects.
This choice also reflects the maturity of the urban development mindset in Vietnam. In recent years, Vietnam has continuously made its mark on the international stage with many prestigious architecture and planning awards. However, while many works stood out due to scale or symbolism, Vinhomes Green Paradise is placed in a different dimension: the dimension of long-term urban development philosophy, where technology and environmental responsibility become operational key factors parallel to economic goals.
Creating regenerative capacity
Can Gio is one of the most sensitive ecological areas in Vietnam, with over 75,000 hectares of mangrove forests recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Developing nearly 3,000 hectares of urban area in such a location is not just a planning problem, but a comprehensive test of governance capacity and environmental commitment.
The regeneration factor at Vinhomes Green Paradise, therefore, does not stop at just compensating or restoring the environment after development, as nature is viewed as a living entity, to be restored, nurtured and developed alongside the city. The focus of this strategy is the Can Gio mangrove forest, acting as a green belt protecting the ecology of the entire area.
The project accompanies forest conservation and regeneration programs, from replanting areas of vegetation decline, greening empty areas, to researching the restoration of native flora and fauna and adding natural wildlife species. This approach allows the ecosystem not only to be protected in its current state but also to become healthier over time.
Long-term resilience
Parallel to regeneration is the resilience factor, developed with a vision extending beyond the usual real estate ownership cycle; Vinhomes Green Paradise aims to create value for many generations. One of the key solutions is a large-capacity seawater filtration system from 20,000 to 100,000 cubic meters per hour, allowing for on-site water quality improvement, removing impurities and pollution, and gradually restoring the natural, clear blue state of seawater. This system not only serves people’s daily life but also acts as a “water lung,” contributing to improving the resilience of the area against the increasing impacts of climate change.
That long-term commitment is further institutionalized through the Forest Regeneration and Climate Change Fund. The fund focuses not only on afforestation, ecological restoration and biodiversity protection but also sponsors research activities, climate change response, and capacity building for the adaptation of the natural ecosystem as well as the community around it. In this state, ESG++ is not a label, but becomes the valuable infrastructure operating throughout the urban life cycle.
The regeneration and resilience factors have taken Vinhomes Green Paradise beyond ordinary sustainable standards, becoming a coastal megacity model worth referencing in the global scene. From a project in Vietnam, ESG++ opens up a broader dialogue about how future cities can develop with, rather than against, nature.
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