Zero-waste tourism - a strategic opportunity for Da Nang

Workshop launching Vietnam Zero Waste Tourism Network. Photo: HOANG LIEN

This is not only an environmental issue, but also an affirmation of the stature and mettle of the government to create a destination that adapts to global trends.

Green trends of Vietnamese tourists

As Vietnam's tourism industry enters a post-pandemic recovery cycle, the "green" factor has gone beyond the role of a marketing slogan, becoming a market criterion and a measure of destination reputation.

Booking.com's Travel and Sustainability 2025 Report shows that Vietnamese travelers' awareness and behavior are clearly changing in a "green" direction. 41% consider reducing plastic waste a top priority, 56% want to improve waste management, and 58% are committed to recycling and limiting disposable items during their trip. The survey also shows that 62% consider sustainable tourism an important criterion when planning a vacation, 90% want to choose sustainable tourism in the next 12 months...

If in 2024 the main concern was energy saving, this year the issue of waste emerged as a major concern, reflecting the growing awareness of the impact of tourism on the environment and the community. The above figures confirm: catching the green trend early will be a competitive advantage for destinations and tourism businesses.

Pioneering action

Since 2009, Cu Lao Cham - a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve - has banned the use of plastic bags. In 2019, Quang Nam organized a workshop on "Sustainable Tourism Development - Plastic Waste-Free Tourism" with UNESCO, creating a foundation for a series of systematic actions: surveys, training, tours, sharing practices, helping the business community move from awareness to operation. The initial result is 33 businesses and tourist attractions receiving Quang Nam Green Tourism certification, a small number but enough to foster change.

Ms. Ha Thi Dieu Vien - General Manager of Silk Sense Hoi An River Resort, one of the pioneers, shared: “In the early days, it was very difficult to find alternative plastic products. We invested and produced some products ourselves to proactively reduce waste. Up to now, the hotel has mastered the technology and process, both doing business effectively and protecting the environment.”

Not stopping at eliminating plastic straws or nylon bags, many businesses are even more creative: processing organic waste into compost, placing personal hygiene items at the reception desk for guests to pick up themselves, or cooperating with social enterprises to implement a reuse model... These initiatives have helped to form a sustainable operating ecosystem from the inside out.

The Vietnam Zero Waste Tourism Network was officially launched in Da Nang on July 9, 2025, marking an important step forward in the strategy of developing conscious tourism, aiming at environmental protection and sustainable development.

The network is expected to be a solution to the industry's "bottlenecks", by connecting business needs to create market leverage for suppliers, while sharing experiences, standardizing processes and policy dialogue. The goal by 2030 is to incubate at least 100 pioneering businesses in waste resource management, aiming for "zero waste", and by 2050 achieving net zero emissions. Members will start with small steps such as reducing easily treatable waste, moving towards building a roadmap to reduce emissions and transforming business models.

Waste management expert Vu My Hanh emphasized that zero-waste tourism does not stop at “reducing”, but rather redesigning the operating process to minimize waste generation, increase reuse, recycling and divert waste from landfills.

Strategic opportunities

After its launch, the Vietnam Zero Waste Tourism Network has identified its core task as building an ecosystem connecting businesses, suppliers, communities and tourists. Communication is considered the key to spreading, creating market pressure and forming new standards for sustainable tourism. Mr. Phan Xuan Thanh, interim Vice President of the Da Nang Tourism Association, commented that if we do well, we can become a spreading stimulus, motivating the Vietnamese tourism business community to act together for the goal of green and sustainable development.

In the race for a place on the tourism map, green reputation is an advantage that is difficult to copy. Da Nang can rewrite the tourism map, where natural beauty goes hand in hand with neatness, tidiness and a sense of responsibility from the whole community. Then, the “green destination” will become a distinctive mark, strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the leading tourism capitals in the region.

From the pioneering steps in Cu Lao Cham in 2009 to the birth of the national network in 2025, the journey of “zero waste tourism” has been going on for more than a decade and is opening up a new direction for the tourism industry in Da Nang in particular, and Vietnam in general. This is not only an effort to protect the pristine beauty of the sea, forests, ancient towns and villages, but also the process of shaping a sustainable national brand. When tourists are aware of the amount of waste they leave behind, when businesses see the long-term benefits of innovating business models, and when the government accompanies with clear policies, Vietnam tourism will not only be “beautiful” in the eyes of today’s tourists, but also “durable” in the eyes of future generations.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/du-lich-khong-rac-co-hoi-chien-luoc-cho-da-nang-3301240.html