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Contributing our knowledge with industry colleagues, senior management and decision key players is part of our commitment at MQL Sustainable Tourism Services.

As professionals from both outside & inside Vietnam do request to us often, sharing what tourism impacted to this country and the optimal future solutions is important.

Thank you to Passion Life Style and to Selion Global for publishing our article on Vietnam's path to a greener future.


https://passionelifestyle.com/trending/vietnam-s-path-to-a-greener-future


VIETNAM'S PATH TO A GREENER FUTURE

Miquel Angel
19 November 2024

Since Vietnam's economic reforms of the mid-1990s, tourism has surged, with the country’s iconic cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, anchoring a 3,000-kilometre coastline dotted with breathtaking destinations. Coastal areas, mountain retreats, and island locales rapidly attracted international hotel brands and land developers, eager to capitalise on the potential of tourism in previously untouched areas. However, this enthusiasm has led to widespread overconstruction in popular areas like Danang, Phan Thiet, and Phu Quoc, often with little consideration for long-term environmental and community impacts.

The swift rise in developments brought economic gains but also underscored a lack of sustainable planning. Coastal and mountainous regions now face significant challenges: abandoned developments, degraded landscapes, and legal conflicts. Locations like Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, and Sa Pa bear the marks of aggressive land use, as the drive for profit often overshadowed efforts to protect local ecosystems and cultural heritage.

This unchecked expansion serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach that aligns tourism growth with ecological preservation and community integration. Without sustainable practices, these picturesque areas risk losing the very beauty that made them attractive in the first place.

Early morning mists shroud the city of Da Lat - now prone to seasonal flooding.

As Vietnam transitions into a post-pandemic era, the rapid, unchecked development that transformed its provinces is now revealing significant, lasting impacts. Once-pristine landscapes like Da Lat and Sa Pa are now prone to seasonal flooding, a phenomenon unheard of in the past. Urban sprawl and extensive construction have disrupted natural water flows and sedimentation patterns, particularly in coastal areas, where resorts have encroached upon delicate sandy terrains. Local streets and markets are regularly submerged, and environmental stability has been compromised. Recognising this, developers and operators are beginning to prioritise sustainability, but the journey to restoration is complex. Addressing these issues requires a shift toward a more balanced development approach that values environmental stewardship and community engagement. The question now is whether future projects can incorporate these insights before further degradation occurs, transforming Vietnam’s tourism and development model into one that honours both its natural resources and cultural heritage.

As the demand for sustainable development rises in Vietnam, developers are beginning to consider international certification standards as a mark of quality and environmental responsibility. Yet, these standards designed to address waste management, water treatment, and more, also pose many complex challenges. Observing provinces engaging with sustainable practices and green certifications is promising, though overdue. Vietnam has the opportunity to avoid the environmental missteps seen in other tourism-driven regions like Thailand and Indonesia. Embracing sustainable principles now could safeguard the country’s growth and establish it as a model for eco-conscious tourism in the future.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of Selion Global.

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