Tourists visiting Hue Ecolodge

Raising awareness

As one of Hue 's green destinations, Hue Ecolodge (Luong Quan, Thuy Xuan) has maintained a "No Smoking" policy for many years, with signs placed throughout the resort. Ms. Tran Thi Kim Lai, the resort manager, said: "Most of our guests are foreigners from France, Germany, the USA, Italy, Canada, etc., with occupancy rates consistently reaching 60-80% depending on the season. The resort has created a green, clean, and beautiful environment, especially a smoke-free one, to impress our guests."

Ms. Minh Tu, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “We are very impressed that many tourist attractions in Hue strictly enforce the smoking ban. However, smoking still persists in some restaurants and cafes in the city, causing discomfort to tourists.”

In reality, smoking remains widespread, especially among men. The emergence of e-cigarettes and other new products also poses a risk of reducing the effectiveness of control. Some service businesses and a segment of tourists do not strictly adhere to the regulations.

To bring about change, the Hue City Center for Disease Control has disseminated information through various media channels, schools, accommodation establishments, and tourist attractions. "Smoke-Free Tourist Establishments" models have been implemented in hotels, restaurants, cafes, and tourist spots, raising awareness among businesses while also spreading the message to the community, with organizations and neighborhood groups participating in monitoring and reminding people to smoke.

Spreading from the international conference.

In late August 2025, Hue City will host the 9th Asia-Pacific Regional Smoke-Free Conference, with the participation of over 160 delegates from many countries and international organizations. The conference, jointly organized by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), the Tobacco Control Foundation, and the Ministry of Health, will be themed “Smoke-Free Destinations: Transforming the Tourism Industry in the Asia-Pacific Region”.

Domilyn Villarreiz, SEATCA's Smoke-Free Program Manager, emphasized: "No tourist wants to breathe in harmful secondhand smoke when they arrive at a tourist destination. Creating smoke-free public spaces protects health and is a smart tourism strategy."

According to Ms. Phan Thi Hai, Deputy Director of the Tobacco Control Fund, many localities in Vietnam such as Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Ninh have pioneered the implementation of the "Smoke-Free Tourism" model. This is not only an activity to protect public health but also contributes to preserving the image of a civilized and friendly destination. "Through various approaches, Hue has demonstrated a harmonious approach, both preserving cultural heritage and protecting public health, affirming the connection between protecting people and sustainable socio-economic development," Ms. Hai emphasized.

According to the leaders of the Hue City People's Committee, recognizing that tobacco control is an important part of the sustainable development strategy, the city will continue to strictly enforce regulations prohibiting smoking in historical sites, schools, hospitals, and government offices; promote awareness in the community, especially in schools and the tourism industry; and commit to maintaining and expanding the "Smoke-Free City" model so that Hue truly becomes a clean and safe destination.

Building a smoke-free tourism environment is a long-term process requiring coordinated efforts from the government, businesses, the community, and tourists. With coordinated implementation, the spread of exemplary models, and international commitments, Hue is gradually asserting its position as a "Smoke-Free City".

Text and photos: NGOC KHANH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/du-lich/lan-toa-mo-hinh-du-lich-khong-khoi-thuoc-158509.html