The appeal of "green tourism"

Escaping the summer heat, many young people are turning to eco-tourism to immerse themselves in nature. Instead of spending time planning long trips, short weekend getaways right in Hanoi are an ideal choice for many young people.

Hà Nội Mới•05/07/2026

Camping at Dong Do Lake, Kim Anh commune, Hanoi . *(Illustrative photo, collected from various sources)*

A balanced experience

According to the Global Wellness Institute, as global temperatures rise and peak travel seasons leave travelers exhausted, they are shifting towards cooler times and destinations. Simultaneously, the leading trend in wellness tourism in 2026 is seeking relaxation and choosing trips closer to home for rest and rejuvenation.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Dung from Phu Dien, Hanoi, said that recently, taking advantage of the weekend, his family often chooses tourist destinations right in Hanoi such as Soc Son and Ba Vi to relax. Last week, his family went on a trip to Dong Do Lake. Without spending too much time searching or traveling, they were able to enjoy the cool, green space right away. This area has a wide lake, pine forests, and many flat grassy areas, very convenient for camping.

Camping and glamping are also becoming popular choices for young people in the summer of 2026. While camping is an outdoor activity involving setting up tents at a reasonable cost, glamping is a more luxurious type of camping with a fully equipped space while enjoying a relaxing feeling amidst nature.

Nam Khanh, an IT employee, said that to reduce work stress, he often organizes weekend outings and camping trips with friends at many ideal locations in the outskirts of Hanoi. Participating in outdoor activities helps him relax and benefits his physical and mental health.

Many travel experts also believe that young people now view travel as a form of mental health care, stress reduction, and life balance. In addition, traveler needs are shifting towards personalized experiences, closeness to nature, and multi-dimensional travel experiences. Sustainable tourism, slow travel, trekking, destinations rich in cultural identity, or exciting resorts are becoming increasingly popular.

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The allure of highland cuisineAlong with beautiful natural landscapes and fresh air, one of the distinctive features that contributes to the attractiveness of community-based tourism in the highland communes of the province is the cuisine. Through the skillful hands and rich, vivid imagination of the local people, many unique dishes have contributed to the distinct appeal of the destination.

This wave of tourism is bringing about noticeable changes for both tourists and destinations. Young people's environmental awareness is increasing through plogging movements (combining jogging with picking up litter). At the same time, the trend of nature-based tourism is contributing to the economic development of local residents.

Developing tourism that is close to nature.

Hanoi possesses a significant advantage with its diverse tourism resources, ranging from historical and cultural heritage to ecological landscapes. The communes of the former Ba Vi district are considered the clearest example of Hanoi's suburban tourism in the green transformation phase. The mountainous region west of the capital boasts primeval forests, a mild climate, and the Dao and Muong ethnic communities with their unique indigenous knowledge. Community-based tourism models, herbal baths, wellness retreats, and trekking combined with spiritual culture at the Thuong Temple and the K9 historical site are gradually shaping Ba Vi as a typical healing destination.

Aiming for sustainable development, closely integrating nature conservation and promoting traditional cultural values with the message "Green Tourism," Hanoi has recently launched many attractive new tourist destinations following the green tourism model.

The newly announced Muong Coc community tourism destination, located in My Duc commune about 60km from the center of Hanoi, promises many exciting experiences for visitors. Besides its unique natural landscapes, Muong Coc also preserves many cultural values of the Muong people and boasts a fairly complete experiential ecosystem with 6 core villages in the community tourism area. Along with that are 7 core homestays, 4 farmstays; 8 cycling routes to explore Muong villages; 2 trekking routes focusing on nature and medicinal plants; and 8 experiential tour programs...

According to Mr. Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, Hanoi has proactively repositioned its development direction by choosing the theme "Green Tourism - Green Journey" for 2026. This is not just a short-term message, but a long-term orientation for the next phase, clearly affirming the path of development according to the model of a green economy, circular economy, and sustainability.

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