Ta Nguyet Thu
Deputy Head of Tourism Development Department
“Net Zero tour” is a new tourism trend, aiming to organize trips with the goal of minimizing carbon emissions. From transportation, accommodation, food to experiential activities, every element of the tour is designed to limit the impact on the environment. Green experiences, combined with the message of protecting nature and reducing plastic waste, not only bring sustainable benefits but also contribute significantly to efforts to respond to climate change.
The term NET ZERO (net zero emissions) is becoming a key word in Vietnam's current socio-economic development process. NET ZERO is understood as a state of balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount of greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere; this means that an organization, country or industry can still emit CO₂ but must have measures to offset those emissions through absorption or removal. The Net Zero target is an important part of global climate change strategies, set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement, with the expectation of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. At the United Nations COP26 Conference in 2021, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh committed that Vietnam will achieve the Net Zero target by 2050.
Net Zero Tourism is a tourism model that aims for zero net emissions, ensuring that no harm is caused to the environment during operation. This requires tourism and travel businesses to play a central role in implementing sustainable development strategies, focusing on preserving and restoring natural ecosystems. The core of Net Zero tourism is to apply solutions to reduce and offset carbon emissions throughout the entire tourism value chain, from transportation, accommodation, cuisine to destination experiences. The use of green technology, renewable energy and circular economic models helps the tourism industry move closer to the goal of zero net emissions. In the context of increasing climate change, Net Zero tourism is not only an inevitable trend but also the key to building a sustainable, responsible and environmentally friendly tourism industry.
Developing Net Zero Tourism in Vietnam – An inevitable trend in sustainable growth strategy
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitment to promoting sustainable tourism through specific national strategies and action plans: The National Strategy on Green Growth for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (Decision No. 1658/QD-TTg dated October 1, 2021 of the Prime Minister) emphasizes the role of tourism in maximizing its contribution to the United Nations' sustainable development goals; Next, the National Action Plan on Green Growth for the 2021-2030 period (Decision No. 882/QD-TTg dated July 22, 2022) sets priorities for developing environmentally friendly tourism models, encouraging the development of green and sustainable tourism products.
At the High-Level Tourism Forum “Green Transformation, NET ZERO Tourism - Creating the Future”, aiming to promote the green transformation process and orient the development of NET ZERO tourism for the Vietnamese business community, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasized that Vietnam is always a responsible country, committed to fully implementing international treaties, while respecting recommendations from global tourism organizations, especially the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). According to Minister Nguyen Van Hung, UNWTO's approach to developing green tourism not only emphasizes protecting and respecting the environment but is also closely linked to the goal of ensuring a sustainable life for local communities. At a higher level, Net Zero tourism aims to reduce and eliminate carbon emissions, while minimizing the negative impacts of tourism activities on the environment.
Towards the goal of Net Zero Tourism, the Vietnamese tourism industry has implemented a number of strategic solutions such as:
Building a database and criteria for implementing Net Zero Tourism: Vietnam is gradually completing a digital database on Net Zero tourism, including measuring the "carbon footprint" of tourists and tourism activities, thereby providing an effective roadmap for reducing and offsetting emissions. According to Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, former Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Management Research, "Tourism is one of the industries that needs the greenest transformation because it not only serves people directly, but also affects the competitiveness of destinations and national image. Today's tourists, especially Gen Z, not only seek personal experiences but also want to contribute to sustainable development during their journey."
Promoting awareness and action of tourism businesses: Many localities and travel businesses have proactively implemented environmentally friendly tourism models. In Hue, the Net Zero Tour model is applied with green means of transport such as electric cars and bicycles, while integrating eco-tourism experiences at Thuy Bieu village and KODO Hue Hub cultural complex. The journey ends with SUP rowing on the Huong River, combined with garbage collection, contributing to environmental protection. Or in Quang Nam, thanks to the support of international organizations, this locality has become a model for sustainable tourism development with eco-resorts in Hoi An and Cu Lao Cham investing in solar energy systems, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Tourists experience NetZero tourism space in Nho village, Dien Tan commune, Dien Khanh district, Khanh Hoa province (Source: Internet)
Although the zero net emissions orientation brings many benefits, the tourism industry still faces many challenges: The tourism emission measurement system is still not synchronized, making it difficult to implement mitigation solutions. Investment costs are high, tourism businesses need significant financial resources to switch to green models, especially applying technology and developing environmentally friendly infrastructure. In addition, the transition to green tourism requires close cooperation between managers, businesses and tourists to create truly sustainable changes. However, this is also an opportunity for Vietnam to improve the competitiveness of the tourism industry, attract environmentally conscious international visitors, and contribute to the global trend of sustainable tourism development.
Potential for Net Zero Tourism Development in Phu Tho
As a transitional land between the plains and the northern mountains, Phu Tho possesses rich natural tourism resources and potential to develop Net Zero tourism such as: Xuan Son National Park - one of the three national parks with the highest biodiversity in Vietnam, Thanh Thuy hot mineral water resort - with abundant hot mineral reserves, suitable for developing health care tourism, Long Coc tea hill - with majestic landscape, known as "Ha Long Bay of the Midlands", ecological landscape system such as Ao Chau Dam, Van Hoi Dam, Ao Gioi - Suoi Tien ...
Not only having strengths in natural resources, Phu Tho is also the cradle of Hung King culture with heritages recognized by UNESCO such as Hung King worship and Phu Tho Xoan singing. This is an important foundation for developing cultural tourism combined with sustainable tourism.
With available potentials, to develop Net Zero tourism, Phu Tho needs to focus on tourism activities such as:
- Develop environmentally friendly tourism and community tourism: Prioritize the development of eco-tourism, trekking, and cultural experience tourism of ethnic minority communities; encourage the development of Net Zero tours in tourist areas and destinations in the province (Xuan Son National Park cycling tour, forest trekking, plastic waste-free tours, etc.).
- Develop green infrastructure systems, use renewable energy in areas and locations in the province: Encourage the use of electric vehicles, bicycles, and vehicles running on renewable energy as the main means of transportation in tourist areas and locations to reduce carbon emissions. Build a system of dedicated roads for bicycles and pedestrians to promote green transportation.
Coi village beach, Xuan Son commune, Tan Son district, Phu Tho province (photo: Ta Nguyet Thu)
- Applying renewable energy in accommodation facilities: Encourage hotels, resorts, and homestays to use solar panels to provide electricity, reducing fossil fuel consumption. Apply energy-saving technology, smart air conditioning systems, and automatic LED lights to minimize electricity consumption; use green architecture and recycled materials to reduce environmental impact.
- Promoting public-private partnership to motivate businesses to invest in green tourism models helps motivate businesses to invest in green tourism projects through support and incentive mechanisms such as: Building mechanisms and policies to support businesses in terms of tax and financial incentives, preferential loan support, and investment incentives for projects applying green tourism standards. Encourage businesses to invest in green tourism models; invest in wastewater treatment systems, recycled waste in tourist areas and resorts according to international standards.
- Raising public awareness and motivating businesses: Organizing forums and conferences connecting the government and businesses to promote experience exchange, technology sharing and finding financial resources for green tourism projects. Honoring and granting sustainable tourism certificates to pioneering businesses in the green tourism model, helping to enhance reputation and attract environmentally conscious customers. Encouraging businesses to participate in international commitments on sustainable development, creating competitive advantages in integrating and expanding the international tourism market.
In the context of global tourism moving towards sustainable development, Net Zero tourism is not only a trend but also an inevitable requirement to enhance the competitive position of Vietnam's tourism industry. For Phu Tho, exploiting the strengths of tourism resources in a sustainable manner will help the province become an attractive destination, both developing the economy and preserving the unique natural and cultural values of the land./.
Source: http://svhttdl.phutho.gov.vn/tin/du-lich-phu-tho-huong-den-phat-trien-du-lich-net-zero_4163.html
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