On April 12, within the framework of the Vietnam International Tourism Fair - VITM Hanoi 2024, the Vietnam Tourism Association organized the Forum "Vietnam Tourism - Green transformation for sustainable development" with the participation of 300 domestic and international delegates.
Speaking at the opening of the Forum, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) Vu The Binh said that responding to climate change and protecting the environment has become an urgent need for the whole world.
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| The forum was attended by 300 domestic and international delegates. (Photo: Nguyen Hai) |
The Vietnamese government has shown its determination to join hands with the world to solve the climate crisis and reduce emissions by declaring that Vietnam will achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
In order to implement the above statement, the Government has issued many environmental policies and assigned tasks to ministries and branches to participate in the program with specific activities of their branches.
The Chairman of VITA affirmed that adapting to climate change is both a responsibility and an opportunity for Vietnam to implement green transformation to enhance the competitiveness of the Vietnamese economy.
Tourism is a comprehensive economic sector, interdisciplinary, inter-regional and highly socialized. All changes in society and nature affect tourism.
In Vietnam, the negative impacts of climate change and environmental degradation have severely affected tourism. 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 human living environment.
According to Mr. Vu The Binh, to promote the development of green tourism, gradually bringing green tourism into life, HHDL Vietnam directs the activities of Vietnamese tourism businesses according to 4 contents: developing tourism activities that do not use plastic waste; building tours that do not use motor vehicles (walking, cycling...); developing community tourism, eco-tourism, agricultural and rural tourism...; mobilizing waste collection at tourist destinations.
The forum was divided into two discussion sessions: awareness of green transformation in tourism and discussion on green transformation solutions for Vietnam tourism.
In which, the speakers clarified green transformation and tourism; current situation, challenges and solutions for tourism development towards green growth in Vietnam; green transformation in tourism - roles and responsibilities of stakeholders; green transformation for Vietnam's tourism destinations; development and implementation of green technology for tourism businesses.
The speakers will also discuss green transformation in infrastructure investment and technical facilities serving resort tourism in Vietnam; green transformation in tourism product development and destination management; practical green transformation models in tourism accommodation establishments in Vietnam; green transformation in tourism training; green tourism product development; action plans to reduce plastic waste in the tourism industry, etc.
At the Forum, Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Director of the Institute for Brand Strategy and Competitiveness Research, said that there are five key pillars in the framework for sustainable tourism development in ASEAN: “Sustainable economic growth; social inclusion, employment and poverty reduction; resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change; cultural and heritage diversity; mutual understanding, peace, health, security and safety”.
Mr. Thanh emphasized that tourism is for people, with the participation of stakeholders, tourists, communities, and destinations. Of course, it must ensure efficiency for businesses because businesses play a central role in the green transition process and fulfill social responsibility.
Sharing local experiences, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Tourism Association Nguyen Ha Hai said that as one of the destinations with a green tourism mindset from very early on, more than 10 years ago, Quang Ninh province determined to change its development method from "brown" to "green", bringing tourism - a "smokeless" industry to develop sustainably, becoming a spearhead economic sector.
Especially now, facing the challenges of climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic, when tourism trends change, Quang Ninh tourism has quickly adapted and recovered, making efforts to "green" sustainable tourism development activities.
Quang Ninh has also consistently and persistently implemented the policy of developing sustainable and inclusive tourism; the green growth foundation is an urgent and consistent requirement in the province's policies, strategies and planning.
The tourism development orientation of Quang Ninh is aimed at developing tourism in a professional, quality and sustainable manner; linking tourism development with the preservation and promotion of national cultural values and identities; managing, exploiting sustainably, using natural resources effectively and protecting the environment, conserving biodiversity, preserving and promoting the heritage value - the world natural wonder of Ha Long Bay.
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| Delegates discuss at the forum. (Photo: Nguyen Hai) |
As one of the international representatives at the event, Mr. Patrick Haverman, Deputy Chief Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, affirmed that the tourism industry has become an important economic sector of Vietnam, expected to contribute more than 6.4% to GDP this year.
Mr. Patrick Haverman said that Vietnam's tourism has achieved these successes thanks in large part to its natural beauty and diverse, rich cultural heritage.
However, faced with current challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change, the shift towards sustainable development is inevitable.
Green transformation in tourism not only benefits the environment and helps promote biodiversity conservation, but also improves the lives of tourism-dependent communities and drives economic growth.
According to UNDP, the green transition in tourism in Vietnam needs to focus on the following issues: green planning; effective destination management; plastic-free and low-carbon tourism; and nature-based sustainable tourism.
Mr. Patrick Haverman also emphasized that UNDP is ready to support the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, VITA and other stakeholders in the process of helping Vietnam become a responsible and competitive destination.
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