Overview of the Forum (Photo: TITC)

Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association speaking at the Forum (Photo: TITC)

Giving his remark to kick off the Forum, Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) said, adapting to climate change is both a responsibility and an opportunity for Vietnam to carry out a green transition to improve the competitiveness of the Vietnamese economy. Therefore, Vietnam Tourism has gradually implemented green tourism, a type of tourism based on the exploitation and rational use of natural resources, to limit negative impacts on the human living environment.

The Vietnam Tourism Association has proactively mobilised tourism businesses to implement green transition to join hands in protecting the environment, contributing to developing tourism into a green economic sector based on the development of green tourism products, green services and most importantly, raising awareness and actions of tourism businesses towards green transition for the tourism industry to develop sustainably and effectively. The specific action of the Vietnam Tourism Association is to organise VITM Hanoi 2024 with the theme “Vietnam Tourism - Green Transition for sustainable development”.

VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu speaking at the Forum (Photo: TITC)

Speaking at the Forum, VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu said, for many years, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has accompanied and supported the Vietnamese tourism industry in implementing the Project "Master plan for Vietnam tourism development" and the project "Plastic waste reduction". This is a practical activity contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam tourism.

After the pandemic period, green tourism, regenerative tourism, and towards sustainable development are receiving attention and are chosen by many tourists. Therefore, from the perspective of service providers, tourism managers need to meet these demands. At this Forum, VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu suggested that the attending speakers will focus on discussing and providing practical solutions towards developing green tourism in Vietnam, from business input to the correct awareness of tourism workers, aiming to satisfy tourists and create green value. VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu hopes that experts present at this Forum will spread the message for the tourism industry to continue to act, develop criteria to certify green technology, as well as honour green destinations, green businesses, and green products…

Delegates attending the Forum (Photo: TITC)

Sharing about the green transition process in Vietnam tourism, Mr. Patrick Haverman, Deputy Chief Representative of UNDP Vietnam indicated, tourism has become an important economic sector of Vietnam. Vietnam tourism has achieved these successes thanks largely to possessing diverse and rich natural beauty and cultural heritage. Green transition in tourism not only benefits the environment and helps promote biodiversity conservation, but also enhances the lives of tourism-dependent communities and drives economic growth.

Mr. Patrick Haverman, Deputy Chief Representative of UNDP Vietnam speaking at the Forum (Photo: TITC)

Mr. Patrick added, in UNDP's opinion, the green transition process in tourism in Vietnam needs to focus on a number of issues such as green planning; effective destination management; travel without plastic and low-carbon tourism; Sustainable tourism based on nature.

UNDP is ready to support the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Tourism Association and other stakeholders in the process of transforming Vietnam into a responsible and competitive tourism destination. Green transition in tourism not only serves as one of the main drivers for economic growth but also contributes to protecting Vietnam's precious natural resources for future generations.

The forum consists of 2 sessions, Session I is on Awareness of green transition in tourism and Session II is a Discussion on Green transition solutions for Vietnam tourism.

In Session I, leaders and delegates listened to a number of presentations on Green Transition and tourism; Current status, challenges and solutions for tourism development towards green growth in Vietnam; Green transition in tourism - Roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders; Green transition for a destination of Vietnam tourism; Develop and implement green technologies for tourism businesses.

The speech of Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute of Tourism Development Research (under Vietnam National Authority of Tourism) pointed out challenges in developing tourism towards green growth in Vietnam, He also proposed a number of improvement solutions to promote green tourism development in Vietnam, including: Improve institutions, policies and regulations for tourism development management towards green and sustainable growth; Develop tourism on the basis of respecting, preserving and protecting resources, ensuring the pristine and original nature of natural landscape values and cultural heritage; Promote digital transformation, apply advanced technology, green and clean technology in tourism business; Propagate and raise awareness throughout the tourism industry and people about developing tourism towards green growth;...

Speakers attending Session II (Photo: TITC)

Giving a speech on Green Transition in Tourism - Roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders, Mr. Nguyen Ha Hai, Vice Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial Tourism Association, Chairman of Quang Ninh Travel Association, gave a typical example of Quang Ninh Province, that was Co To island district, in preserving the environment and green transition for sustainable development. Accordingly, from September 2023, Co To district has piloted a mandatory implementation requiring all tourists not to bring plastic bags or single-use plastic items to the island.

Discussing green transition solutions for Vietnam tourism at Session II, speakers all agreed on building green tourism spaces; taking advantage of green space to construct tourist buildings, taking advantage of natural light, minimising fuel consumption, reducing electricity consumption and carbon emissions. At the same time, calculate and call for long-term investment to apply digital transformation and smart applications at destinations. Zoning pilot green tourism space. Building tourism products based on green criteria, suitable for the destination and living environment, towards a green growth destination. There needs to be a commitment from the destination, determining zero plastic waste, using green products and most importantly, training green human resources.

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