The Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) held a seminar in Hanoi on August 14 to discuss elevating the Green Tourism Criteria (VITA Green) into an internationally recognised brand.

Tourists in the forest of the Lo Go – Xa Mat national park.

VITA Chairman Vu The Binh said green tourism is a global trend. Beyond protecting the environment and ecosystems, it attracts high-spending, quality visitors, boosting industry revenues. Over the past decade, many countries have made green tourism the foundation of sustainable growth.

Since 2019, Vietnam has pursued this orientation, gradually turning it into a nationwide movement. This year’s Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) in Hanoi, themed “Vietnam Tourism – Green Transition for Sustainable Development,” marked a turning point in awareness and action towards a comprehensive green tourism ecosystem.

To accelerate progress, VITA has introduced VITA Green and urged tourism businesses to meet these criteria. There are 30 members already certified in a green tourism sub-association, and the target is to reach at least 100 by the end of 2025.

Binh stressed that the rapid adoption of green standards could significantly enhance Vietnam’s tourism value by offering internationally recognised products and services.

He said certified operators will gain both domestic and international recognition, strengthening Vietnam’s position on the global sustainability tourism map. The label not only affirms quality and environmental commitment but also serves as a competitive branding tool.

Phung Quang Thang, Chairman of the green tourism sub-association, expressed hope that VITA Green will become an internationally recognised sustainable tourism certification, bolstering Vietnam’s image as a green destination. He noted that international cooperation would allow certified businesses to join the global green tourism supply chain.

Aligning the criteria with global standards, Thang added, would elevate sustainable management, promote green technology, and foster eco-friendly tourism models. Green tourism also supports Vietnam’s national green growth strategy and its COP26 pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

He proposed integrating VITA Green into the national sustainable tourism programme and featuring its logo in promotional campaigns, with each locality selecting one or two model green destinations to spearhead nationwide adoption of the “VITA Green Destination” model.

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