There is no need to “leave the city for the forest”, we can completely live in the middle of nature right in the heart of the city. That is what Kieu Anh, founder of Tropical Forest and ForDeer - Coffee with tree, always thinks about. That idea does not stop on paper but has stepped into reality with a chain of green coffee shops, tree workshops and many landscape design projects. From small forests in the heart of the city, Kieu Anh dreams further, which is to connect those green spots, inspiring green living to many people.

With more than 30 million results on Google, “leaving the city for the forest” has become a very “hot” phrase recently. After 2 years of the Covid-19 pandemic, people tend to escape from the suffocating surroundings, seek nature to be comforted, to soothe stress and anxiety.

However, is it necessary to leave the city for the forest when we can completely relax right in our own home by "bringing the forest to the city"? That question has been answered by Tropical Forest founder - Kieu Anh every day and proves that: Living in the forest right in the heart of the city is completely possible. And she dreams that dream not only for herself, but also for many people.

Since her student days, when she went to do scientific research in craft villages on the outskirts of Hanoi, Kieu Anh witnessed garbage and open sewers everywhere. Amidst the smoke and traffic jams, Kieu Anh thought: “If we maintain this lifestyle, sooner or later the city will turn into a construction site. People are facing a terrible environmental problem.”

The dream of "small forests" in the heart of the city was ignited from that moment.

These are spaces filled with green and light, where ideas can easily flourish; where people can reach out and touch the branches, leaves, flowers and grass. In such an inspiring space, people can relax and connect with each other, enjoy a cup of tea, contemplate a book, leaving behind all the worries and hustle and bustle of the city.

However, what Kieu Anh had at that time was only a passion for trees, the experience of an architect and a heart full of desire. The brand and business trend were still a question mark.

By 2017, the idea had become a reality with the birth of the first coffee shop - ForDeer Coffee located in an alley on Tay Son street.

The name ForDeer is a compound word, combiningforest(forest) anddeer(deer - the forest guardian mascot). As the name suggests, ForDeer Coffee is for those who love the forest. The green spots of Tropical Forest are called “forests”. The Tropical Forest team is called “Treeman” (people who are 'addicted' to plants). The first “forest” had rather rudimentary facilities. “But just do it,” Kieu Anh said. At that time, she had to invest a lot, working and nurturing at the same time. Although everything was simple, the customers were happy to support her, the “treemen” were devoted, so she had more motivation. Not a professional businesswoman, she tried very hard to balance her business with the desire to give back and add green to life.

And then “Tay Son Forest” gradually took shape. A miniature tropical forest filled with light.

By 2019, the green color of ForDeer Coffee was multiplied. Tropical Forest added "To Hieu Forest" and "Van Quan Forest". Although the green spots have different spatial designs, they are all covered with many types of plants, from the ground to the ceiling. Tropical plants such as monstera, ferns, and Indian chrysanthemums race down the stairs, making anyone who enters feel comfortable as if they are walking in the forest.

Not stopping at a few green spots, Kieu Anh also wants to create an ecosystem where green spots can connect with each other. In that ecosystem, ForDeer is an open space for people to connect, exchange, and approach a green lifestyle. They can talk to each other about how to take care of plants, how to recycle, confide in each other about life, work or simply find creative inspiration, relax and enjoy.

Tropical Forest tree workshop is where green buds are nurtured, spreading green throughout the city. Up to now, Tropical Forest has Tay Son Forest, To Hieu Forest, Van Quan Forest. Among them, there are 3 ForDeer Coffee shops and 2 tree workshops in Hanoi. In the future, Tropical Forest hopes that green will be spread more widely by having many more green spots.

“I cannot and have no intention of changing customers. When they come to Tropical Forest, they already have the seed of change inside them, they are conscious of seeking green spaces,” Kieu Anh said. Instead of persuading with words, Tropical Forest offers tree planting workshops such as terrarium and kokedama workshops - new types of miniature bonsai in the world. There are also recycling workshops and workshops for children to kindle a love for nature and a desire to protect their own living environment.

The pandemic has affected people's lifestyles and behaviors in many areas. So how has the way families arrange their homes changed?

It can be said that the epidemic has greatly affected life in all aspects. Especially people living in urban areas, they are too cramped in apartments and long to be in nature. But not every family has the conditions to travel regularly or has a place to live that meets their needs. Therefore, the trend of bringing green plants into the house has increased significantly. People can relax right in their own home.

What conditions are needed to create green space?

We often think of green space as something big. Green space can be a corner of the garden filled with sunlight, a balcony full of flowers, but sometimes it is just a few pretty potted plants on the table. Each of us can bring nature into our home with the simplest things.

According to you, is "bringing forests to the city" a trend?

"Bringing forests to the city" or "Forest in the city" is just a phrase expressing the desire of urban residents to green their homes and workplaces. Especially after the pandemic, people increasingly realize the importance of health. People have time to be more aware of the true values ​​of life. They begin to slow down and live greener. Private organizations, non-profit organizations, and even many state policies begin to pay attention to encouraging the reduction of plastic waste in the environment.

How do you see this trend in the near future?

Living green and living healthy will be a challenge when convenient lifestyles have become ingrained in habits: fast food, fast living, fast fashion. Generation 8x really wants their children to live greener, to run in the forest, and wade in streams. Generation Z is full of energy, moves a lot, and explores a lot. Therefore, I believe that Generation Z will create bigger waves in the future with campaigns that have a macro impact.

And then, we will have a dreamer's paradise.