Tourists experience Hue 's handicrafts. Photo: iVietnam

Upon arriving in Hue, Leonora Rojas Bracho and Juan Carlos Moreno Brid, two tourists from Mexico, were eagerly anticipating the city's romantic beauty and excited about a very special travel experience: a Net Zero journey, where all activities are geared towards sustainability and environmental protection. Neither of them had ever participated in a trip like this before, and that only fueled their curiosity.

The day began with a tram ride taking the group of tourists away from the city center. There was no noisy engine, no smell of gasoline fumes, only the murmur of conversations and the spreading excitement. Each person was given a glass water bottle and a reusable cloth bag, instead of the single-use plastic items commonly found on other tours.

“From the very first minutes, I felt the difference this journey was. The small but subtle details made me realize I was about to have a truly memorable experience,” shared Leonora Rojas Bracho.

The first stop on their journey was Thuy Bieu eco-village. There, Leonora and Juan Carlos participated in a traditional incense-making workshop. “I never thought that something as simple as incense could carry such a story about culture and connection with nature. All the ingredients come from local plants, there are no chemicals, nothing is wasted,” Juan Carlos excitedly recounted.

Afterward, the group moved down to the riverbank to experience paddleboarding (SUP). What was special was that this wasn't just a recreational activity; everyone brought a small net to scoop up trash from the water. At first, Leonora was a little hesitant, but after just a few minutes, she joined in naturally.

"I never imagined that picking up tiny pieces of trash from the river could be so meaningful. It made me think about what we can do every day to minimize our impact on the environment," Leonora shared.

According to Ms. Ngo Hoang Nguyen Anh, Director of iVietnam Travel, the organizer of "A Net Zero Day of Tourism in Hue," this project was born from the desire to change the way people think about tourism.

"Every trip leaves a carbon footprint. What we want to do is minimize that footprint as much as possible, so that tourists not only enjoy the beauty of the destination but also contribute to its sustainable development," said Ms. Nguyen Anh.

At the end of the day, upon returning to the city, concluding his unique and memorable tour, Juan Carlos shared: "Initially, I thought this was just another sightseeing trip like any other. But in reality, it has changed the way I see travel. I will definitely share this story with my friends and hope that more people will participate in trips like this."

The "One Day Net Zero Travel in Hue" tour not only provided memorable experiences but also opened up a new perspective on how we can travel while protecting the environment. For Leonora and Juan Carlos, this was not just a day in Hue, but a journey of changing awareness – a journey they will carry with them on future trips.

Bach Chau