What does a garden design and build project include?
A complete project covers the work below ground as well as the planting you see. Lawn and plants last only when the soil, the drainage, the irrigation pipes and the electrical cable underneath are done properly from the start, so the work is divided into the groups below.
The order follows from that: underground work first, then soil improvement and paths, then planting, with the lawn laid last. Before the itemised estimate is prepared, you approve a concept covering the layout, the style, the materials and the plant list.
| Work group | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Groundworks | Levelling and forming falls, drainage channels and pipes, irrigation lines and buried conduit for electrical cable. |
| Soil improvement | Soil mixed with building rubble is stripped out and replaced with loose planting soil rich in organic matter. Beds and a drainage layer are formed for the plants. |
| Planting | Shade trees, shrubs, hedging, flowers, climbers and the lawn, following the approved plant list. |
| Hard landscaping | Paths, stone steps, bed edging, decorative gravel, landscape rocks and large planters. Large structural items are advised on separately. |
| Irrigation and lighting | An automatic irrigation system with a timer; tree spotlights and path lights connected by a suitably certified electrician. |
Which plants suit a garden in Ho Chi Minh City's climate?
Plants here have to cope with harsh sun in the dry season and soil that stays wet for long periods in the rainy season. The city has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons, the rains from May to November and the dry months from December to April, and an average temperature of about 27°C all year. The deciding factor, though, lies in the garden itself: how many hours of sun each corner receives.
At the survey the specialist notes which areas are in sun all day, in morning sun, in reflected afternoon sun, and in shade under trees or beside walls. The plant list is proposed zone by zone. It favours species that are easy to look after, species that drop few leaves near a swimming pool, and species whose roots do not damage structures when planted near walls, foundations or pipes.
| Zone | What suits it |
|---|---|
| Sun all day | Sun-loving, fairly drought-tolerant plants such as bougainvillea, shrubs with coloured foliage and sun-tolerant grass. |
| Sun for half the day | Suits many flowering plants and shrubs. Avoid plants that tolerate only full shade. |
| Shade | Shade-tolerant plants such as ferns, pothos and peace lily. Grass needs sun and tends to thin out here. |
| Balcony and roof terrace | Strong wind, and sun reflected off glass walls and the floor: choose low plants with flexible stems, in lightweight pots that are firmly fixed. |
Why are drainage and irrigation planned before anything is planted?
The rainy season often brings heavy rain in a short time. A garden without falls and a proper outlet holds water: roots rot, the lawn dies in patches and mosquitoes breed. UpClean checks the levels, the existing drain gullies and the route to the shared drainage system before proposing channels, a gravel drainage layer or buried pipes. Most gardens that hold water after rain can be improved in this way.
Each type of irrigation suits a group of plants: drip lines save water in beds and pots, misting suits moisture-loving plants and cool corners, and sprinklers cover a wide lawn. A timer waters in the early morning or the cool of late afternoon and is adjusted by season. In a garden under construction the pipes are buried before planting, which gives the neatest result; in an existing garden we survey for the pipe route that disturbs least. If the water comes from a storage tank, have the tank cleaned at intervals so that sediment does not block the nozzles.
- Water tank cleaning
- UpClean also cleans household water storage tanks.
How is a new lawn laid so that it grows evenly?
A good lawn depends more on the preparation underneath than on the grass variety. UpClean lays the lawn last, once the underground work, the paths and the large trees are finished, so that it is not trampled or dug up again. How long the grass takes to root and close over depends on the variety, the planting method, the season and the watering; the specialist gives an expected time with the quote.
- Clear the ground: rubble, stones, roots and old weeds are removed.
- Improve the soil: a loose layer of topsoil is added and a slight fall formed towards the drain, so that rainwater does not stand.
- Choose the grass for the sun and the foot traffic: sun-loving grass where the light is strong; in shade, consider ground cover or gravel.
- Plant or lay the turf, firm it lightly so that it sits in contact with the soil, and water thoroughly straight away.
- While it roots: water evenly and keep off the grass. The exact watering schedule is in the care plan handed over with the garden.
Is garden lighting safe in the rain, and what about paving and rooftop loads?
Garden lights work in wet conditions, so the electrical work is given to a suitably certified electrician: cable runs in conduit, fittings are rated for outdoor use and the lighting circuit has a residual-current device. Lights are placed to show steps and paths clearly and to pick out the tree canopy, without glare into bedrooms or neighbouring houses. Have the installation checked from time to time, and do not dismantle a fitting unless the power is off.
Paving and bed edging need enough texture not to be slippery in the rain. On a roof terrace or balcony the load of soil, pots, large plants and the waterproofing layer must be considered first; for heavy items we ask you to consult a structural designer and the building management. We usually use lightweight pots and planters in place of soil laid directly on the slab, and deliveries are scheduled within the hours the management allows. Large built items such as retaining walls and canopies may need formal procedures under the regulations, and we advise you so that you can check before work starts.
Garden design ideas: Japanese-style, indoor courtyard, paths and water features
Each style asks for different light, space and upkeep, so at the survey the specialist checks with you whether an idea fits the site before sketching anything.
| Idea | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Japanese-style garden | A pared-back layout of rocks, gravel, stepping-stone paths and shaped trees. With little grass it is easier to maintain, but the shaped trees need regular pruning to hold their form. |
| Indoor garden or light well | Depends on the light from the light well or the glazing. Choose shade-tolerant plants and pots with saucers, and waterproof any planter built indoors. |
| Garden paths | Stone steps, paving or gravel combined with bed edging. The surface must be non-slip in the rain and fall away for drainage. |
| Water feature or small fountain | Adds sound and a pleasant humidity. It needs a safe outdoor power supply, a circulation pump and a cleaning schedule to prevent algae and mosquito larvae. |
How much does it cost to landscape a garden in Ho Chi Minh City?
There is no standard rate, because every garden differs in size, condition and brief. The survey and the quote are free. You receive an estimate broken down by item, by plant species and size, by materials and by schedule, and the all-inclusive price does not change without your written agreement. A larger project may require a deposit as stated in the quote. Warranty terms for the work and the plants are written into the contract or quote, since plant growth also depends on care after handover.
If the budget has to be spread over time, the project can be phased: underground work, soil improvement and the main structural planting first, then flowers, decorative lighting and features later. This avoids digging up a finished garden and gives you time to live with the space before deciding on the next items. An old garden can be renovated the same way, after the specialist has assessed which plants are worth keeping and which parts need redoing.
| Factor | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Area and present condition | An empty plot, or an old garden to strip out; how much rubble and poor soil has to be replaced. |
| Plant species and size | Large shade trees and specimen plants cost more to buy, transport and plant than small ones. |
| Technical groundworks | Length of drainage, number of irrigation zones, type of nozzle, number of lights. |
| Landscape materials | The paving stone, gravel, edging and large planters chosen, and the quantities. |
| Access | A roof terrace or balcony means carrying everything up by lift; the working hours set by the building or residential area. |
Who looks after the garden after handover?
The first few months, while plants root and the lawn closes over, are when a garden is most vulnerable. At handover you inspect the garden with the specialist and receive an Up Report, a photo record of the work before and after, together with a care plan that sets out the watering schedule by season, when to feed, how to check roots and leaves, and how to operate the irrigation timer.
You can follow the plan yourself or book regular garden maintenance with UpClean: mowing, pruning, feeding, irrigation checks and leaf clearing. Where a plant-protection product is needed, only a legally permitted one is used, following the label. If mosquitoes become a problem around the garden, UpClean's own pest-control technicians carry out mosquito treatment as a separate service.
- Landscape & garden maintenance
- Scheduled care with the visits and tasks agreed in advance.
- Guide: mosquitoes at home in Ho Chi Minh City
- What reduces mosquitoes around a home in the rainy season, and when spraying makes sense.
Which areas do you cover, and how do I arrange a survey?
The UpClean team works regularly in An Khanh ward (Sala, Thu Thiem, Thao Dien), Binh Trung, Cat Lai, Phu My Hung (Tan My and Tan Hung wards), Thanh My Tay (Binh Thanh), the former Districts 1, 3 and 4, the former Phu Nhuan and Nha Be commune. In Districts 5, 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12, Go Vap, Tan Binh, Tan Phu and the former District 9, the survey date is confirmed when you book. The city replaced its districts with wards on 1 July 2025, but most people still use the district names.
- Book a free survey
- Or call or message 0773 521 104 on WhatsApp or Zalo, 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, seven days a week.
- Move-in & post-construction cleaning
- For the interior of a newly finished house, alongside the garden work or once it is complete.
