HCM City (VNA) - Several coastal and island localities have developed strategies and action plans to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable tourism, including implementing measures to reduce plastic waste.
The Vietnam tourism system planning scheme for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045, defines coastal and island tourism as one of the main product lines. It emphasises the importance of sustainable tourism development in conjunction with environmental protection and effective climate change response. By 2030, all tourist areas, accommodation establishments, and other coastal service businesses are expected to eliminate the use of single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic bags.
Phu Quoc, a famous tourist destination in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, attracts about 5.5 million visitors annually. According to the municipal authorities, with a strong commitment to develop a green and sustainable economy, including tourism, the city aims to completely ban single-use plastic products in coastal tourist areas and by night market vendors by 2025. Moreover, by the time, 80% of the areas within the Phu Quoc marine protected area will be free of plastic waste.
Similarly, Con Dao district in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau – another impressive coastal and island tourist destination, has implemented a 2022-2025 project on research and application of circular economy models for sustainable socio-economic development. Under the project, various activities are being carried out, such as training sessions on waste sorting at source and commitments from the local tourism association and transport companies to reduce plastic use in their services.
For green tourism linked to sustainable environmental protection to succeed, it requires more than just awareness campaigns and pilot models. It demands the voluntary and persistent efforts of every citizen, tourist, and service provider through specific and practical actions.
A representative of Nicobar Con Dao Hotel revealed that the hotel has replaced plastic water bottles with glass ones, while offering guests shampoo and shower gel in small, reusable glass bottles.
Similarly, The Secret Con Dao Hotel and Six Senses Con Dao Resort have installed water filtration systems to avoid using single-use plastic bottles./.
