Vietnam announces new standards for adventure tourism.

VTV.vn - Adventure tourism activities in Vietnam are being standardized with new criteria, focusing on safety and risk control.

Vietnam announces new standards for adventure tourism .

The Ministry of Science and Technology has just issued Decision No. 1166/QD-BKHCN (dated February 11, 2026), announcing the National Standard TCVN 14602:2026 (ISO 3021:2023) on adventure tourism in hiking and trekking activities.

Hiking is an increasingly popular adventure tourism activity.

The standards, proposed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, are reviewed by the National Standards and Quality Measurement Committee before publication.

TCVN 14602:2026 specifies requirements and recommendations to ensure the safety of participants, group leaders, and related personnel in adventure tourism activities involving hiking. At the same time, the standard provides criteria for classifying routes according to characteristics and difficulty levels, applicable to tourism products organized in the form of hiking and trekking.

Steep and complex forest terrain is a key factor in classifying the difficulty level of a trekking route.

Notably, the standard emphasizes identifying and fully communicating risks to participants. The organizing body must ensure that the team leader meets professional requirements, has a proven track record of competence, and conducts equipment safety checks before each trip.

In addition, related third-party services must also comply with safety standards. Weather forecasting, hazard identification, and monitoring of warnings from authorities are considered mandatory requirements.

The standards also set out regulations for environmental protection and public health at destinations, especially in protected areas or ecologically sensitive regions. Organizations must develop appropriate plans to mitigate negative impacts while ensuring hygiene and preventing infection.

During hiking and trekking trips, rest stops need to be carefully planned to ensure the health and safety of participants.

Determining the required number of participants depends on the destination's carrying capacity, route characteristics, and actual conditions. In cases where children or people with disabilities are served, the organizing unit must have a separate plan to ensure specific safety conditions.

Furthermore, the standards also specify requirements regarding leadership capacity, guest preparation, equipment, insurance, risk management, and service quality control. Trekking and hiking routes need to be clearly categorized so that participants understand them before departure.

The promulgation of the National Standard on Adventure Tourism in Hiking and Trekking Activities is expected to contribute to improving the quality, professionalism, and safety of adventure tourism products in Vietnam, given the increasing development of this type of tourism.

Source: https://vtv.vn/viet-nam-cong-bo-tieu-chuan-moi-cho-du-lich-mao-hiem-100260317212958829.htm