Developing 'green' destinations to elevate Vietnamese tourism

Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh delivered the opening speech. Photo: VGP/Minh Thu

Green tourism brand positioning

The forum "Developing Green Destinations - Elevating Vietnam Tourism" includes 2 sessions. Session 1 is on the topic "Green Destinations and the goal of accelerating effective and sustainable development of Vietnam tourism"; Session 2 is a discussion on the practice of developing Green Destinations in Vietnam (moderated by Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Director of the Institute for Brand and Competitiveness Strategy Research).

In his opening speech, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) Vu The Binh said that tourism is not only a comprehensive economy that makes important contributions to GDP growth, job creation and cultural exchange, but is also an indispensable part of the national sustainable development strategy.

However, in the context of the world facing unprecedented challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, etc., the tourism industry must also transform strongly. Green transformation in tourism is no longer an option but a mandatory requirement if we want to develop sustainably, responsibly and have a future. Realizing that, since 2018-2019, VITA has launched and mobilized tourism businesses across the country to join hands to protect the environment and reduce plastic waste.

The Association has focused on developing and issuing the Green Tourism Criteria (VITA GREEN), with the goal of creating a practical, clear tool that can be applied to the Association's member destinations and tourism businesses nationwide. Because only with a specific Criteria can destinations and businesses gradually self-assess, improve and enhance their green practice capacity in a systematic and sustainable manner.

According to Mr. Vu The Binh, the forum is one of the key activities to spread awareness, share experiences and promote practical actions in the green transformation process of Vietnam's tourism industry.

"We will listen and discuss the following issues: Trends for green transformation in tourism that are taking place globally and in Vietnam; Initiatives and models for reducing plastic waste to promote zero-waste tourism; Piloting the application of the VITA GREEN criteria set in some localities and businesses; The key role of media and technology in changing consumer awareness and behavior. Especially inspirational stories from destinations and pioneering businesses that have dared to change and invest in their green future," Mr. Vu The Binh emphasized.

At the Forum, Mr. Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Vietnam, commented that by 2024, Vietnam's tourism industry will truly be a strong economic driver, welcoming more than 17.5 million international visitors - an increase of nearly 40%, generating an impressive revenue of VND 840 trillion. These impressive figures demonstrate the huge potential of the tourism industry, showing that the impact of the tourism industry has spread far and wide, not only creating new job opportunities but also strongly boosting the local economy, bringing vitality to communities across the country.

Mr. Patrick Haverman said that the path to raising the level of Vietnam's tourism through developing green destinations is not only an aspiration but also an inevitable requirement. In recent times, UNDP has worked closely with the Vietnam Tourism Association and thousands of travel businesses to pioneer the creation of green destinations and implement projects on "Reducing plastic waste in Vietnam tourism". The pilot results in Quang Binh and Quang Nam showed a reduction in the use of disposable plastics of about 40-55%. UNDP is committed to standing side by side with Vietnam's tourism on the journey of transforming green tourism.

By promoting green transport sharing models and raising awareness in local communities, we are gradually creating the foundation for a truly sustainable green tourism ecosystem," Mr. Patrick Haverman emphasized.

Green transition is imperative

Regarding the green transformation trend in economic development in general and tourism in particular, Prof. Dr. People's Teacher Nguyen Van Dinh, Director of the Institute of Tourism Economics (Vietnam Tourism Association) said that green transformation in the economy is the process of restructuring the economy towards sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, protecting the environment and using resources efficiently. The goal is to develop the economy without harming the ecosystem, while promoting growth through environmentally friendly business models. Green transformation in tourism is the process of changing the tourism industry towards a more sustainable direction, reducing negative impacts on the environment, while creating long-term economic and social benefits.

Seminar on Green Destination Development Practices in Vietnam. Photo: VGP/Minh Thu

Prof. Dr. People's Teacher Nguyen Van Dinh proposed a series of solutions to reduce carbon emissions such as: The tourism industry should use environmentally friendly means of transport (electric cars, bicycles, public transport); encourage nature-friendly tourism, reduce long-term air travel; limit the use of disposable plastic in hotels and restaurants; save water, electricity and apply renewable energy in accommodation facilities. Protect the ecosystem, do not overexploit natural resources.

However, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh noted that green transformation in tourism requires the development of community tourism and circular economy, including supporting traditional craft villages, creating jobs for local people, prioritizing products, organic foods and local crafts. At the same time, raising awareness and responsibility for tourism in the direction of educating tourists about sustainable tourism. Encourage tourists to participate in nature protection activities.

General Secretary of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu Quoc Tri said that the Association has developed and issued a set of green tourism criteria, thereby guiding tourism service businesses and tourist destinations to voluntarily participate in practicing green tourism. Initially, it will apply to: Tourist destinations, Accommodation establishments, Travel businesses and Tourist service businesses (food, entertainment, shopping). To support businesses in promoting green tourism, minimizing plastic waste must be a prerequisite for Green Vietnam Tourism. The Green Destination Development Program of Vietnam Tourism must first minimize plastic waste at tourist destinations.

Article 64 of Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP dated January 10, 2022 of the Government detailing a number of articles of the Law on Environmental Protection, including the goal of "By 2025, 100% of tourist areas, accommodation establishments, and hotels will not use non-degradable plastic bags and single-use plastic products". The Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) has developed and issued a set of criteria for recognizing plastic waste-free tourism enterprises according to Decision No. 78/QD-HHDLVN dated December 22, 2024.

The criteria have been voluntarily implemented by many domestic enterprises to contribute to reducing plastic waste for the tourism industry.

Mr. Pham Ha, Chairman of LuxGroup, said that 2024 marks a strong shift for LuxGroup on the journey towards green tourism: Training a sustainable management team, applying ESG to operations. Standardizing internal processes, building a "green office", replacing energy-saving equipment, implementing digital transformation, reducing more than 90% of printing. Committing to zero plastic, practicing plastic waste reduction, replacing with environmentally friendly materials in management, operation and communication. Designing a green tourism product ecosystem: reducing emissions, supporting the community, protecting nature and heritage. Controlling the supply chain: accompanying sustainable partners, training - communicating to tour guides, drivers, suppliers and customers. Declaring customer rights, committing to 100% customer satisfaction, strongly developing corporate culture, doing business with integrity through the brand.

"However, the green road is not paved with roses, we also face many challenges in investing in energy-saving equipment, waste treatment, environmentally friendly materials... which require high costs and long payback periods. Convincing partners - especially in remote areas - to commit to green standards is still a difficult problem that needs to be solved through dialogue, training and technical support. Green tourism products are difficult to compete when high prices make it difficult for sustainable tourism products to reach the mass market, requiring a clear value positioning and communication strategy...", the Chairman of LuxGroup expressed.

Launch of Vietnam Green Tourism Association

At the Forum, the Organizing Committee introduced the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Green Tourism Association under VITA, consisting of 22 members.

Launching of the Vietnam Green Tourism Association. Photo: VGP/Minh Thu

VITA Chairman Vu The Binh hopes that the Association will be the focal point to promote initiatives, connect resources to spread green values, and accompany localities in the process of forming and developing green tourism. Green tourism is a long-term journey that requires the determination, consensus and perseverance of all parties: from macro policies to business investment, community response to consumer choices of tourists. VITA commits to continue to accompany, support, promote and spread green values, contributing to making Vietnam's tourism industry more responsible, more humane and more sustainable.

Signing ceremony of the cooperation program between Tiktok and VITA on developing green tourism in Vietnam. Photo: VGP/MT

Besides the launching ceremony of the Vietnam Green Tourism Association, there was also a signing ceremony of a cooperation program between Tiktok and VITA on developing green tourism in Vietnam.

In his concluding remarks, Deputy Director of the National Tourism Administration Pham Van Thuy emphasized that in order for green tourism to develop, the tourism industry hopes that localities with locations recognized as national tourist attractions will step up calling for investment in developing green tourism and green destinations. In addition, localities need to identify their responsibility for developing green tourism in developing development plans.

Minh Thu

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/phat-trien-cac-diem-den-xanh-de-nang-tam-du-lich-viet-10225041116261447.htm