wellness
Exercise Reduces Anxiety for Ho Chi Minh City Residents, Study Shows
Regular movement outdoors shows measurable effects on stress levels as urban life intensifies.
How we reported this
Residents who cycle or walk regularly report lower anxiety scores after four weeks of consistent activity, according to data tracked at FV Hospital clinics in District 7.
City health programs now track these patterns more closely because daily commutes and work demands have risen sharply since 2024, leaving many with persistent tension that sleep or diet changes alone do not ease. Local clinics note increased visits for stress-related complaints, especially among office workers in Districts 1 and 3.
Daily routes that residents already use
Tao Dan Park opens at 5 a.m. each day for group calisthenics and brisk laps around its 800-metre perimeter track, while the riverside path along the Saigon River near Bach Dang Wharf draws cyclists from 6 a.m. onward. Both spots sit within short distances of major bus lines, making them reachable before office hours begin.
Participants at these locations often combine 30-minute sessions with simple breathing resets at the end of each loop. FV Hospital staff have begun recommending these same routes during follow-up appointments for patients who list work pressure as their main concern.
Numbers that back the routine
A 2025 internal review at FV Hospital found that patients logging at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly recorded a 28 percent drop in self-reported anxiety on standard scales after one month. Monthly membership at nearby riverside bike rental stands averages 180,000 VND, a figure that covers basic helmet and lock use for regular users.
Those figures line up with the pattern seen at Tao Dan Park, where attendance logs from the city parks department show steady growth in early-morning turnout since the start of 2026. The same review noted that participants who added one rest day per week maintained the gains without added cost.
Anyone starting this approach can begin with two 20-minute sessions at Tao Dan Park or the Bach Dang Wharf path this week, then check progress after 14 days by noting sleep quality and midday tension levels. FV Hospital outpatient services remain available for those who want baseline measurements before adjusting their schedule.