Guide to Sustainable Tourism in Vietnam: Places to visit
Vietnam is known for its breathtaking natural landscapes, culture, and unique heritage. However, environmental issues can become a significant concern for the tourism industry. This is why a conscious traveler with awareness about sustainability can play a key role in protecting the environment. In this discussion, you will learn how you can make sustainable choices to support the environment and local community while traveling to Vietnam. With a Vietnam online visa, you can enjoy a smooth application and entry into the nation.
The tourism industry in Vietnam is still growing, but the rapid growth of the industry puts pressure on the environment and local culture. To counter these challenges, people are becoming more aware of the requirement of sustainable tourism. According to a survey by Booking.com, both international and local Vietnamese travelers are willing to make mindful choices to reduce their environmental impact.
Vietnam’s rice terraces, beaches, forests, and other historic places like the Hoi An Ancient Town, Hue Monuments, etc., are some of the popular tourist destinations. These sites are in danger of losing sustainability if not proper controlling measures are taken. The Institute for Tourism Development Research has found that overnight guests in Vietnam generate approximately 1.2kg of waste per day, and plastic waste makes up 60% of it.
The tourism ministry of Vietnam might promote sustainable tourism, but it is the responsibility of tourists to make conscious choices to maintain a sustainable environment.
What Does Sustainable Tourism Mean in Vietnam?
Sustainable tourism in Vietnam goes beyond sightseeing. It focuses on responsible traveling choices that do not harm the local environment and the culture of the local community. As a visitor to the country, you have a lot to positively contribute to the place you visit. From transportation, accommodation, or spending – your choices may or may not impact the broader ecosystem.
The main aim of the sustainable tourism concept is to reduce carbon footprints, conserve biodiversity, and minimise pollution in the natural environment. For example, when you visit Vietnam, try not to carry plastic bags or wrappers. If you do, keep them in your bag instead of throwing them out in open places. It will keep the environment clean, and you will not add to the plastic waste.
Moreover, you should be sensitive about cultural respect, especially for the ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. Try supporting their family-owned businesses, buy handcrafts goods, stay in eco-lodges, etc. As the country moves towards greener tourism practices, your choices will help it move towards achieving sustainability.
Ecotourism is slowly becoming popular in Vietnam, especially in rural and coastal areas. When you visit Vietnam, you will see that activities like trekking in Sapa, kayaking in Ha Long Bay, or exploring caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang are now managed with sustainable practices.
Travel around the country while understanding the importance of sustainability in Vietnam. In the following section, we will discuss some eco-friendly destinations for you to explore.
Eco-Friendly Destinations in Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, and the Mekong Delta are some of the ideal sites that you can explore, maintaining a sustainable approach.
Ha Long Bay
It is a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage site which faces challenging situations due to over-tourism. Its fragile marine environment is being affected due to tourism waste and multiple cruises. It would be a good idea to choose an operator who practices sustainable tourism during their visit to Ha Long Bay. Choosing a tour operator who uses sustainable tourism practices will increase the market of tourism in Vietnam and also protect the environment.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
It is another eco destination in Vietnam where you will find some of the largest caves in the world. Strict regulations are in place to protect the fragile ecosystem of the National Park. With responsible cave tours, you can ensure that the biodiversity and the ecosystem of the National Park are protected.
Mekong Delta
Community-focused tourism is a great example of sustainable tourism in Vietnam, and you can experience it in full in the Mekong Delta. You can stay in local homestays, experience rice farming, and participate in cooking local dishes. With such a community-focused tourism, you can support the local people, explore their cultures, and ensure that the income stays in the villages.
Supporting Local Communities Through Tourism
Sustainability in Vietnam can be achieved through empowering the local communities with the help of tourism. Tourists who visit Vietnam can choose to stay in local homestays and experience authentic local dishes. It will keep the income from tourism within the community, ultimately improving their financial condition.
If you visit Sapa in Vietnam, you can stay in local homestays and experience the culture of ethnic minority groups. When you stay in a family homestay, you can experience their daily lives- from weaving to cooking a traditional meal. You can directly support the local artisans by purchasing items such as embroidery, bamboo craft, and herbal medicines.
If you choose to stay in a family-run guest house or eatery instead of staying in large hotels, you directly support the local community and the families. Your simple choice of accommodation can support a large local community in Vietnam. It not only supports the local community but also helps to create jobs for the local people.
Green Travel Practices for Conscious Visitors
Conscious visitors can also reduce their carbon footprint and maintain sustainability by choosing eco-friendly transportation. If you want, you can explore Hoi An on a cycle or be a part of a walking tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. You can choose to travel by electric taxi in major cities of Vietnam to cut emissions. With such conscious choices, you can maintain sustainability in Vietnam.
If you choose to travel by cycle or explore the tourist spots on foot, you get a chance to deeply connect with the environment and more intimately explore Vietnam’s way of life. Sustainable transportation may seem like a small choice, but it has a significant impact on the environment.
Besides eco-transportation, single-use plastic is also a major concern in Vietnam to protect its sustainability. Try not to use single-use plastic when visiting Vietnam. Instead, use refillable water bottles, use bamboo or metal straws, and carry cloth bags.
No matter how small these steps might seem, these are great ways to reduce environmental impact through tourism in Vietnam.
How Tourists Can Contribute to Conservation
If you want to actively participate in promoting sustainable practices for tourism in Vietnam, you can join its conservation projects. Reforestation in the central highlands of Vietnam, or you can be a part of wildlife rehabilitation in sanctuaries. Your contribution to the projects can directly help to protect the fragile ecosystem of the country.
You can also take part in beach clean-ups. Several coastal towns, such as Da Nang or Nha Trang, organise regular beach clean-up drives where travelers can contribute.
Moreover, you can also contribute to NGOs that are working to increase knowledge about sustainability among tourists. Some NGOs also promote sustainable tourism practices in Vietnam. For example, one such NGO offers eco-friendly bike tours through Mekong Bikes. Here you get the opportunity to travel across the Mekong region on a bicycle. So, you can explore the landscape without contributing to your carbon footprint.
Explore Vietnam with Sustainability in Mind
Vietnam has some of the exotic natural landscapes that you can explore in a group or with a local guide. Try to manage waste when you travel across the country. If you do not use a plastic wrapper or a single-use water bottle, you will produce less plastic waste during your travel.
Moreover, try to take the local tour and transportation service to keep the money within the local community. It will generate income for the local people and improve their overall financial condition.