UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND LAW

FACULTY OF SOCIOLOGY

REPORT
Economic Developme Ho Chi Minh City, November / 2023nt in Vietnam and its determinants

Sustainable Tourism Situation in Viet Nam

Semester 2 (2023_2024)

Supervisor : Dr. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Xoan

Student : Đỗ Thị Thu Hiền – K234080894

Ho Chi Minh City, June/ 2024

Table of contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 : SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SITUATION IN VIET NAM
1.1 Definition of sustainable tourism
Tourism plays a vital role in every country’s culture and economy since it increases job
opportunities, enhance national recognition, and allow people over the world exploring
and experiencing different parts of life. The benefits that tourism brings to both economy
and communities which are also relating to the environment can generally be seen as a
force for good. Especially, sustainable practices applied in tourism aiming to minimize
the negative impacts and maximizing the positive ones are referred as the Sustainable
Tourism.
The planning and provision of activities based on the needs and preferences of tourists
and indigenous people constitute sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism must preserve
cultural, biological, and environmental qualities while also meeting people’s aesthetic,
economic, and social demands.

1.2 Sustainable Tourism situation in Viet Nam

Reference 1

With the attendance of the Director of the National Department of Tourism of Vietnam at
the celebration of the World Tourism Day, Vietnam affirmed its goals and commitment
to develop tourism in a green and sustainable manner which were stated in national
tourism development projects and strategies. Vietnam's tourism development strategy
until 2020, with a vision to 2030, provides orientation on “developing green tourism,
linking tourism activities with preserving and promoting values of natural resources and
protecting the environment".

In fact, over the past two years, Vietnam has chosen themes related to "green tourism" for
the National Tourism Year, including "Quang Nam - Green Tourism Destination" in
2022 and “"Binh Thuan - Green Convergence" in 2023, aiming to spread the image of a
safe, green and sustainable tourism in Vietnam.
 Most recently, on September 28, the Vietnam Tourism Association launched a
competition in Hanoi on designing apps to manage plastic waste in the tourism industry,
aiming to find software that tourism management agencies, localities, establishments, and
services can use. Tourism businesses can register and participate in implementing the set
of criteria for tourism businesses with zero plastic waste.

According to Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh, the growth of
the tourism industry has contributed to economic restructuring, with the growth of the
whole economy. However, the tourists’ activities also contribute to increasing plastic
waste into the environment. The project "Reducing plastic waste in tourism in Vietnam",
which was developed by the Vietnam Tourism Association, was approved by the UNDP
for funding during the 2023-2024 period.

1.3 Development Trends in Sustainable Tourism in Vietnam

Reference 3
Reference 4

Over the years, Vietnam’s tourism sector has made big steps forwards in terms of visitor
number and revenue in both domestic and international markets. However, the sector’s
growth is posing pressure on natural and cultural preservation in destinations. Experts
held that as Vietnam's tourism is mainly based on available natural and cultural resources,
ensuring its green development and responsibility to the environment and society is the
only way for the sector to grow and become a national spearhead economic sector.

1.3.1 Ha Long Bay

Visitors to Ha long Bay may observe the stunning scenery and discover the unique
cultural area that has preserved relics of indigenous life through the generations. When
visiting Ha Long, travelers will see that the attraction of Ha Long Bay is gradually
improving to become an appealing tourism offering.

1.3.2 Hue court art architecture

Hue court art architecture is a component of the city’s tourism development strategy,
which promotes history and cultural values. The tourist location draws a huge number of
people, introducing and promoting the heritage value while also using tourism earnings to
actively invest in heritage conservation.

1.3.3 Da Nang – Hoi An

The development of sustainable tourism in Da Nang – Hoi An is an ancient town
With suitable investment and development solutions, tourist destinations are gradually
expanding. From the tourism space of the old town, craft villages as diverse as Thanh Ha
Pottery Village… to the types of cultural, ecological, resort, and homestay tourism are
very focused on sustainable tourism development in Hoi An.

1.3.4 Cai Rang Floating Market

Cai Rang floating market is located in Can Tho tourist, which is focuses on establishing
green tourist projects to maintain and enhance tourism. It can be evident in actions such
as constructing a garbage collecting model on the river, maintaining order, beauty, and
safety while engaging in canal traffic…

1.3.5 Nha Trang’s marine ecosystem

Visitors to Nha Trang can visit Tre Island Nha Trang, Tam Island Nha Trang, and other
nearby islands to enjoy the rich marine ecosystem. This location is well-known for its
lovely, long beaches, mild climate, stunning natural beauty, and unique marine ecology.

1.3.6 Marine and island system in Phu Quoc

The marine and island tourism system of Phu Quoc has excellent potential to build
sustainable tourism development. Increasing investment in the development of marine
tourist products, tourism infrastructure, increasing the quality of human tourism
resources, and bringing distinction and diversity of marine tourism products are all
initiatives that will be implemented. The extensive information in this article should help
you better comprehend the concept of sustainable tourism and this mainstream tourism
 development trend in Vietnam. Simultaneously, grasp the most well-known sustainable
tourism places in Vietnam in order to completely prepare for the voyage to discover this
form of tourism soon.

1.4 Eco-tourism Activities visitors should try in Vietnam

Reference 5
1.4.1 Trekking
If trekking through breathtaking landscapes is what you seek, Vietnam’s northern
highlands are your playground. Here, visitors are greeted with emerald rice fields,
tranquil villages, and the warm hospitality of the ethnic minority people. Homestays in
stilt houses offer a unique cultural immersion, while the act of trekking promotes health
and leaves a minimal environmental footprint. Many call this a serene escape from the
bustling city life.

1.4.2 Bird Watching

Vietnam is a heaven for bird watchers, boasting over 900 species, including more than a
dozen endemics, the largest number in mainland Southeast Asia. The country’s diverse
habitats, from tropical forests to wetlands, provide a rich environment for a variety of
birds. For those planning a bird watching trip, the best time to visit is from November to
April, when the weather is dry and birds are most active. Key locations include Cat Tien
National Park, Da Lat, Bach Ma, Cuc Phuong, Xuan Thuy, and Sapa, each offering a
unique birding experience.

1.4.3 Homestay Stays

One of the most authentic ways to experience Vietnam’s culture is through homestay
stays. Visitors can live with local families, share authentic homemade meals, and learn
about traditional ways of life. This intimate experience fosters cultural exchange and
supports local economies. By choosing homestays over conventional hotels, travelers
help reduce the carbon footprint associated with large-scale tourism.

1.4.4 Canoeing in Mangroves

 The mangrove forests of Vietnam are not only stunning but also vital to the ecosystem.
These serene waterways are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including monkeys,
birds, and fiddler crabs. Adventurers can navigate through the intricate network of
mangrove roots, which act as a natural barrier protecting the land from erosion and
storms. Tours often include local guides who provide insights into the ecological
significance of mangroves and the efforts to preserve them. For those looking to explore
these natural wonders, Can Gio Biosphere Reserve is a spot renowned for mangrove
canoeing, promising an immersive experience in one of nature’s most fascinating
environments.

Chapter 2 : POLICIES RELATED TO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Reference 6
Specifically, the state has a policy of mobilizing all resources for tourism development to
ensure tourism becomes a key economic sector of the country. Organizations and
individuals doing tourism business enjoy the highest levels of investment incentives and
support when the State promulgates and applies investment incentives and support
policies. The State prioritizes allocating funds for activities such as: investigating,
evaluating, protecting, restoring, and developing the value of tourism resources; tourism
planning; promote tourism, build national and local tourism brands; Applying modern
science and technology to serve tourism management and development; Developing new
tourism products that have a positive impact on the environment.

In particular, the tourism environment must be protected, embellished and developed in

the direction of green, clean, beautiful, secure, safe, healthy and civilized. Ministries and
ministerial-level agencies, within the scope of their duties and powers, promulgate
regulations to protect, enhance and develop the tourism environment. Local authorities at
all levels have measures to protect, embellish and develop the tourism environment in
accordance with local realities. Organizations and individuals doing tourism business are
responsible for collecting and treating all types of waste generated in business activities;
overcome negative impacts caused by its activities on the environment; take measures to
prevent and combat social evils in its business activities. Tourists, residential
 communities and other organizations and individuals are responsible for protecting and
preserving the landscape, environment, cultural identity, customs and practices of the
nation; Have civilized and polite behavior to enhance the image of the country, people
and tourism of Vietnam

Chapter 3 : CONTRIBUTIONS AND PROBLEMS ABOUT

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
3. Problems
1. Ripoff
Quality not matching the price, unreasonably high prices, labeling as a central city location to
charge exorbitant prices for non-special services, ... all are troubling issues that cause tourists to
have a poor experience. The detrimental effects of such practices extend beyond individual
experiences, influencing the broader perception and economic viability of a destination which
may even resulting in a decline in tourist numbers due to negative experiences. Whether to a
lesser or greater extent, these impacts all lead to the reputation damage, loss of trust, low visitor
satisfaction, and the local area economic itself.
2. Airline labour problems
Reference
Ms Nguyen Thi My Trang, Director of Service Quality Control, Head of Customer Experience,
Bamboo Airways shared that Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality industry is facing high-quality
labour shortage.

There are not even enough employees at the airports for check-in service. Airline labour
problems also occur with pilots, flight attendants, ground services as baggage services, and many
others. After social distancing, many airline staff who had bad impacts on career have shifted to
other industries. We can’t get experienced employees back to work right away, it takes time to
train new employees to replace. Severe shortage of human resource affects the quality of airline
service in some ways and some more time”, said Ms Trang.

3. Waste Issue
Waste issues, especially plastic waste, nylon bags have become particularly hot recently.
According to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an
estimated 1.8 million tons of plastic waste is generated in Vietnam every year, and Vietnam is
one of the top five countries responsible for about 13 million tons of plastic are released into
the ocean per year. In fact, the image of resorts and beaches flooded with plastic waste and nylon
bags has become very popular. And of course, an important part of that is from tourism
activities
4. Environmental Degradation
When the tourist destinations successfully attract tourists thanks to the image promotion, tourism
development, and new attraction projects, the locations are concurrently facing the risk of
environmental degradation caused by the overcrowding and overdevelopment. The overcrowding
results in pollution, waste management issues and habitat destructions are even significant
concerns in some tourist areas such as Ha Long Bay or Mekong River. Moreover , The reckless
development of infrastructure aiming towards modernization and maximizing convenience in
transportation and accommodation contributes largely to the destruction of green tree cover and
the loss of the pristine natural beauty of the area.

Chapter 4 : RECOMMENDATIONS
Reference
In the new period, Vietnam’s tourism sector needs to focus on promoting MICE
(Meeting, Incentive, Conference, Event) tourism, sports tourism, travel health and beauty
care, shopping tourism, culinary tourism, cultural tourism, community eco-tourism,
agricultural and rural tourism, adventure travel and smart travel.
Businesses need to concentrate on innovating and upgrading old products and building
new products to suit the diverse needs of customers in the new period.

Tourism products should be built in the direction of green and sustainable tourism,
paying deep attention to environmental protection and limiting plastic waste as well as
focusing on building and developing Vietnamese cuisine into a cultural tourism product.
There is still a lot of work to be done, such as how to co-ordinate among industries,
especially in the supply chain of tourism products, to provide customers the best services
at appropriate prices.
Price competition is no longer the deciding factor in the coming period, but it is still
important to tourists. Therefore, businesses also need to co-operate to create reasonable
prices for both domestic and international guests.