Green tourist destinations have caught the attention of visitors. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – ✅Though net-zero tourism is a new concept, it has gained significant community attention, making contributions to sustainable development.
Responsible development and operation
Net-zero tourism, which refers to tourism that causes no environmental harm during its operation, is not only a new trend but also a strategy bringing numerous benefits to tourists and the environment alike.
The “Net Zero Tours Ben Tre”, developed by C2T Communications and Tourism Company Limited, with consultation from various organisations and experts, exemplifies tourism products that demonstrate the sense of responsibility toward sustainability.
Director of the firm Vo Van Phong said that the tour aims at promoting green tourism and reducing its carbon footprint to narrow emissions in the direction of the net-zero target.
In this tour, visitors have the opportunity to experience the waterway lifestyle of the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre, dubbed the “coconut land”, visit nipa palm forests and traditional craft villages, enjoy folk music performances, drink honey tea, eat fruit, and taste traditional coconut candy.
All experiences and transportation means are carefully considered such as riding bicycles, enjoying specialty foods served in coconut shells, wearing hats made from coconut leaves. Furthermore, during the tour, visitors learn how to calculate carbon emissions and choose options to "compensate" the environment such as cleaning up, planting young coconut trees and mangroves along rivers, and purchasing local agricultural products.
In the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Suoi Rao Ecolodge in Suoi Rao commune, Chau Duc district, obtained the net-zero station certificate from the Institute of Applied Research and Innovation in Enterprises (IARIE). According to its management board, the tourism area was formed in 2010, spanning approximately 5 hectares, with more than 95% of the land dedicated to greenery, offering visitors numerous experiences connected to the natural environment and local culture.
At Suoi Rao Ecolodge in Suoi Rao commune, Chau Duc district, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province (Photo: vntravellive.com)
The tourist site, a pioneer in carbon neutrality, has adopted various measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions like planting trees, managing forests and improving soil quality to enhance carbon storage capacity. According to the IARIE, Suoi Rao Ecolodge is able to capture around 260 tonnes of carbon, and emits 19 tonnes of the gas a year.
Tran Duc Minh, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, said that he had a wonderful experience in Suoi Rao Ecolodge, enjoying walking and cycling under green canopies while having a chance to learn about ethnic culture.
Sustainable development path
A representative from the Tourism Information Centre under the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism said that net-zero tourism is not only a new trend but also a strategy bringing many benefits to tourists, businesses, and the environment, thereby ensuring sustainable development.
Activities directed toward net zero tourism include using energy-efficient transport vehicles, selecting certified sustainable tourist destinations, supporting nature conservation, and maintaining local culture.
Truong Minh Huy Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, underscored the need for collective action and a roadmap for medium and long-term goals to promote the green transition towards net-zero tourism.
He said besides efforts from tourism management agencies with support policies for tourism auxiliary services as well as financial and technical assistance for accommodation establishments, related agencies should get involved in attracting investment for green infrastructure development, mobilising green finance, and facilitating green tourism development.
From a business perspective, Vietravel Chairman Nguyen Quoc Ky said it is necessary to promote "Go Green" tourism development with no littering and no waste. Vietravel has implemented many activities such as distributing biodegradable plastic bags to customers, cleaning tourism sites, and prioritising green destinations.
Vietravel’s recent product, “The 50-Year Train: A Journey Connecting Cultural Regions" has been introduced in an effort to serve tourists with environmentally friendly destinations, thus reducing emissions, aiming for net zero, and honouring local culture, he added./.
Demand for travel is rising, with a shift towards high-quality, experience-based tourism over mass-market, budget travel. To capitalise on this trend, the management board is launching initiatives to support 85 partner businesses and potential members of the geopark’s network.
One of the most notable initiatives is turning central Vietnam’s rain and floods into tourism products. Rather than avoiding or combating adverse weather, this project proposes a range of novel tourism experiences that embrace the rainy and flood seasons, offering tourists a unique perspective on the region.
The project aims to promote the recovery of Vietnam's tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, and help address the challenges facing the industry to achieve sustainable tourism development.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
