Green Spaces and Quality of Life: Trees and Community Parks as Ecological-Social Infrastructure in the New Rural Communes of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Background and objective: Rapid urbanization in Ho Chi Minh City has profoundly reshaped peri-urban spaces, particularly in newly designated rural communes where environmental pressures increasingly affect residents’ quality of life. In this context, green spaces and community parks function not only as ecological assets but also as socio-ecological infrastructure influencing human well-being and social cohesion. This study examines how unequal access to trees and community parks shapes residents’ perceptions of environmental quality and life satisfaction in new rural communes, contributing new empirical evidence from Southeast Asian peri-urban contexts.Methods: The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating a household survey of 1,017 households across 12 communes in five suburban districts (Cu Chi, Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh, Nha Be, and Can Gio), 30 in-depth interviews, and 56 rounds of field observation. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate techniques, while qualitative materials were thematically coded.Results: A strong association between access to green spaces and perceived quality of life. Over half of surveyed households (50.3%) reported improved green conditions, with substantial spatial variation. Can Gio exhibited the highest satisfaction, whereas rapidly urbanizing districts such as Binh Chanh, Cu Chi, and Nha Be showed lower perceived improvement and emerging environmental inequality. Accessibility, usability, and maintenance quality were identified as key determinants of residents’ satisfaction. Qualitative findings highlight community parks as essential social infrastructure supporting everyday interactions and community cohesion.Conclusion: Green spaces play a central role in human sustainability in peri-urban transformation. The findings suggest that equitable and socially functional green infrastructure is more important than physical provision alone for enhancing quality of life. Recognizing green spaces as integrated socio-ecological systems is therefore crucial for sustainable development in rapidly urbanizing regions.