‘VITA Green’ label set to boost Vietnam’s global sustainable tourism
Green Tourism Criteria (VITA Green) is expected to become an internationally recognised sustainable tourism certification, bolstering Vietnam’s image as a green destination.
Tourists in the forest of the Lo Go – Xa Mat national park (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) 🙈– The Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) held a seminar in Hanoi on August 14 to discuss elevating the Green Tourism Criteria (VITA Green) into an internationally recognised brand.
VITA Chairman Vu The Binh said green tourism is a global trend. Beyond protecting the environment and ecosystems, it attracts high-spending, quality visitors, boosting industry revenues. Over the past decade, many countries have made green tourism the foundation of sustainable growth.
Since 2019, Vietnam has pursued this orientation, gradually turning it into a nationwide movement. This year’s Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) in Hanoi, themed “Vietnam Tourism – Green Transition for Sustainable Development,” marked a turning point in awareness and action towards a comprehensive green tourism ecosystem.
To accelerate progress, VITA has introduced VITA Green and urged tourism businesses to meet these criteria. There are 30 members already certified in a green tourism sub-association, and the target is to reach at least 100 by the end of 2025.
Binh stressed that the rapid adoption of green standards could significantly enhance Vietnam’s tourism value by offering internationally recognised products and services. He said certified operators will gain both domestic and international recognition, strengthening Vietnam’s position on the global sustainability tourism map. The label not only affirms quality and environmental commitment but also serves as a competitive branding tool.
At the conference (Photo: VNA)
Phung Quang Thang, Chairman of the green tourism sub-association, expressed hope that VITA Green will become an internationally recognised sustainable tourism certification, bolstering Vietnam’s image as a green destination. He noted that international cooperation would allow certified businesses to join the global green tourism supply chain.
Aligning the criteria with global standards, Thang added, would elevate sustainable management, promote green technology, and foster eco-friendly tourism models. Green tourism also supports Vietnam’s national green growth strategy and its COP26 pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
He proposed integrating VITA Green into the national sustainable tourism programme and featuring its logo in promotional campaigns, with each locality selecting one or two model green destinations to spearhead nationwide adoption of the “VITA Green Destination” model./.
Sa Pa ward in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai is planning to maximise its potential and advantages, with the goal of transforming itself into a green, sustainable, and smart tourism city worthy of its status as the core of the Sa Pa National Tourism Area and a destination of international stature.
By promoting environmental awareness and sustainable tourism practices, the “Sustainable Tourism and Net Zero Goal” programme is encouraging travel businesses to rethink their strategies and adopt more eco-friendly and socially responsible models.
The "Plastic-Reducing Tourism" push, launched in Thuy Bieu ward and now expanded to iconic sites like Thanh Toan tile bridge, Ngu My Thạnh - Con Toc, and Chuon lagoon, is gaining traction. They are becoming go-to zones for community-based tourism, drawing visitors eager to immerse themselves in local traditions.
Hotel bookings have risen 40-50% compared with the same time last year. Small and mid-sized hotels, as well as homestays in downtown areas such as Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, and Hai Ba Trung, have been fully booked well in advance. High-end hotels have also reported record occupancy rates.
The competition serves not only as an outlet for travel enthusiasts to express their creativity but also as a means to expand the nation’s visual database for tourism promotion campaigns in the digital era.
Statistics from the online travel platform Booking.com show that the capital city now tops the list of most searched destinations by Vietnamese travellers for this year’s National Day, climbing from seventh place in 2024 to first place.
Ha Long Sun outlined a series of events designed to shake off seasonal slumps, and turn Ha Long Bay into a safe, vibrant, year-round destination. It aims to revive Quang Ninh’s tourism scene after tough times, luring domestic travellers with a constellation of fireworks displays, cultural performances, and culinary showcases.
To serve visitors to the exhibition on Vietnam's achievements, Hanoi’s public transport authority will boost service with 20 bus routes connecting six directions of the city to the exhibition venue.
The programme offering 50,000 free Hi Vietnam eSIMs for global visitors to Da Nang is organised by Sun Group and MobiFone, aimed at attracting international tourists to the Han River city during the third quarter – the end of summer period.
Active promotion at global events and hosting forums like the Asia Cruise Services Network (ACSN) conference will help to strengthen Vietnam’s position on long-term itineraries of cruise lines through 2030.
In the first seven months of 2025, Quang Ninh welcomed over 14.6 million tourists, including more than 2.6 million international visitors. Ha Long Bay alone drew about 20% of these visitors, making safety on the bay an unwavering priority for provincial authorities and relevant agencies.
In recent years, both former Da Nang city and Quang Nam province ranked among Vietnam’s top tourist destinations thanks to distinctive tourism products. Since their administrative mergence into new Da Nang city on July 1, fresh socio-economic development space has opened, with sustainable integration particularly in tourism – one of the areas with the greatest potential.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is the only in the list to be granted the green-tick status, indicating the site's remarkable credibility among international visitors.
Citizens from 12 countries will be granted visa-free entry for stays of up to 45 days in Vietnam for tourism purposes, regardless of their passport types.
A recent report, City Pulse 2025, by Gensler Research Institute, ranked HCM City among the world’s top cities for resident retention, placing it second globally. This underscores the city's reputation as a liveable, dynamic urban centre, an image that supports efforts to attract investors, experts, and MICE travellers.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement policies and directives from the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on tourism development.
Da Nang's appeal stems from its numerous outstanding tourist attractions, particularly My Khe Beach, Sun World Ba Na Hills resort, and the ancient town of Hoi An. Additionally, Da Nang tourism is renowned for its affordability, especially attractive to young travellers and couples, according to Chosun Ilbo.
With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
