Vietnam tourism goes green

THE HANOI TIMES — Nearly 600 domestic and international firms, together with eight airlines, gather at the VITM Hanoi 2025 themed "Developing green destinations, raising the level of Vietnam Tourism” which opened on April 10.

Sustainable tourism development

 VITM Hanoi 2025 kicks off a series of tourism promotion activities throughout the year, underscoring the commitment to transform Vietnam's tourism industry towards green growth, sustainable development, and deeper international integration.

Trinh Thi Thuy, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in her opening ceremony speech, said that this year  VITM  focuses on developing Vietnamese tourism destinations to meet green tourism standards, enhancing the country’s tourism brand alongside environmental protection and ensuring overall visitor appeal.

Statistics show that in the first quarter of 2024, Vietnam's tourism industry achieved positive growth. The number of international tourists reached more than 4.6 million, an increase of 78.6% year-on-year, while domestic tourists reached 30 million. The total tourism revenue hit approximately VND195 trillion (US$8.13 billion).

Speaking on the green transformation of the tourism industry, Cao Thi Ngoc Lan, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said that the sector is undergoing two key transformations: green and digital. She emphasized that for Vietnamese tourism to truly evolve, the entire system must make a shift towards sustainability.

The industry must prioritize environmental protection, and the Vietnam Tourism Association is committed to reducing plastic waste and striving for a plastic-free future. "To achieve the goal of 'The tourism industry joining hands to reduce plastic waste,' we call on all stakeholders to work together to build a green and sustainable tourism model, promote cultural values and protect the ecological environment," said Lan.

Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, noted that the VITM has grown significantly over the past decade and has become an important event gathering a large number of international partners. The fair continues to play a crucial role in attracting a wide range of domestic and foreign businesses, contributing to the recovery, growth, and global positioning of Vietnam's tourism industry. The event will host a series of tourism promotion activities, including business-to-business and business-to-consumer meetings, as well as cooperation between Vietnam and international tourism promotion agencies.

This year, one of the key highlights of VITM Hanoi 2025 will be a series of promotional activities by various regions and enterprises, including conferences focused on tourism promotion in the provinces of Bac Giang, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh.

Hanoi commitment to “green” tourism

Nguyen Manh Quyen, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said that Hanoi, as a major transportation hub and international aviation center with Noi Bai International Airport, serves as a gateway for domestic and international tourists.

The city holds a significant role in connecting travelers to major tourist destinations throughout the country, as well as hosting numerous regional and international cultural and tourism events. "In its development strategy, Hanoi has identified tourism as a key economic sector. The city has prioritized promoting digital transformation, developing iconic tourism products such as  cultural and green tourism , while enhancing competitiveness and service quality to position Hanoi as a 'safe, friendly, high-quality and attractive' destination," said Quyen.

Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said the city is committed to promoting green tourism by reducing plastic waste, protecting the environment, and preserving community culture. Several green and sustainable tourism products have been launched recently, including the "Indochinese Architecture in the Heart of Hanoi" walking tour, bicycle tours, and electric car tours of the Old Quarter.

Additionally, the department is collaborating with famtrip organizers to promote a waterway tourism route along the Red River, including to the Hong Van ornamental plant village in Thuong Tin District.

At the Hanoi tourism booth, themed "Hanoi - Heritage Destination", showcases the information of  heritage sites such as the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Temple of Literature, the Hoa Lo Prison, the Bat Trang Ceramics Village, and the Van Phuc Silk Village. The richness of Hanoi's craft villages will also be presented along with local cuisine and West Lake lotus tea, offering businesses a glimpse of the capital's rich cultural heritage to develop green tourism, Giang added.

A key highlight of the event is the Forum on "Developing Green Destinations, Elevating Vietnam Tourism" organized by the Vietnam Tourism Association. During the forum, experts, government agencies, and industry leaders will engage in discussions to raise awareness and formulate solutions for the green transformation of Vietnam's tourism sector.

The forum will also focus on developing effective coordination mechanisms to mobilize resources to implement green initiatives and expand the market for sustainable tourism business models.