Experiencing riding bicycles in Phuoc Tich Ancient Village 

Green tourism is indispensable

In July 2023, the tourism sectors of three cities and provinces, including Quang Nam, Da Nang, and Thua Thien Hue “joined hands” to carry out surveys and held a seminar on cooperation to develop green tourism in the three localities. The sturdy determination was set to coordinate to develop green tourism among the three localities, and it was also seen as a practical action contributing to well implementing the direction of the Prime Minister at Decision No. 1658/QĐ-TTg on October 1, 2021, on national strategy on green growth in the period of 2021 – 2030, with the orientation to 2050.

Green tourism has gradually become an indispensable trend. The World Tourism Day (September 27) this year is headed toward the theme “Tourism and Green Investment”. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) identifies that investment is one of the main priorities for the recovery, growth, and tourism development in the future. The World Tourism Day 2023 calls for actions from the international community, governments, financial organizations, as well as development partners, and investors from the private sector to work together around a new tourism investment strategy.

In Vietnam in general and Thua Thien Hue in particular, green tourism has been of concern very soon. Accordingly, the provincial tourism sector chooses green connections as the orientation for tourism development in the future. That is the connection of 4 factors including green destinations, green journeys, green people, and green services to form green tourism products.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Director of the Tourism Department shared that Thua Thien Hue has a solid foundation to develop green tourism. In addition to the ancient features of mausoleums, pagodas, and temples, as well as those of a massive cultural heritage system, Hue also has an eco-friendly landscape right in the heart of the city, with green trees, green parks spread evenly throughout the city, and along the rivers. All of those have helped Hue make a strong impression on tourists.

However, the work of developing green and sustainable tourism not only is the responsibility of a single locality but also requires collaboration, connection, and mutual support. With longstanding advantages and connections, localities in the region can push up the cooperation to develop green tourism products; sharing techniques and experiences in building the models of green and sustainable green tourism products/services; exchanging experiences in promoting tourism environment, as well as raising awareness of the community in promoting natural environment.

A synchronized solution needed

The orientation on green tourism development of Thua Thien Hue tourism sector is identified to closely follow the goal of Decision No.54NQ/TW of the Politburo on building and developing Thua Thien Hue to 2023, with a vision to 2045: “Building and developing Thua Thien Hue to become a centrally-governed municipality on the foundation of preserving and promoting heritage values of the Ancient Capital and Hue cultural identity, with the cultural, heritage, ecological, landscape, eco-friendly and smart characteristics.

Green tourism is oriented towards sustainable development based on preserving and promoting cultural and heritage values, which are associated with protecting the landscape and environment; at the same time developing eco-friendly products with the proactive participation of local communities. 

It's known that the tourism sector of Thua Thien Hue has built up attractive sets of tourism products that are appropriate to current tourism demands and trends, especially focusing on the theme “Green Tourism”, such as resorts, healthcare, traveling combining medical examination and treatment, enjoying food, creating eco-tourism check-in products/destinations associated with rivers and lakes, waterfalls and lagoons as well as forming new destinations for entertainments and nightlife service spots, etc.

As the growth impetus of tourism returns strongly, the accompanying concern is how to develop sustainable tourism. In that context, green tourism development needs to synchronously deploy various solutions. In particular, it is necessary to have a close and synchronized collaboration between the sectors and levels, especially between the sectors of culture, tourism and local authorities in the work of conserving, restoring, and managing the exploitation of the existing cultural tourism resources in a reasonable and effective manner. Furthermore, paying attention to the investment in developing a synchronized system of infrastructure, creating the most favorable access from the central area of Hue Ancient Capital to the destinations all over the province. Besides that, it also requires to raise the awareness of locals on the benefits of developing green economy and sustainable environmental protection from the smallest activities.

Thua Thien Hue province has proposed the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to build and issue the “Set of Green Tourism Criteria” for the following categories, including hotels, homestays, resorts, travel services, and tourism destinations nationwide. On that foundation, management agencies and tourism businesses can apply it in their process of investment, planning and trading, etc.

Story and photo: Huu Phuc