Members of the network will apply waste and emission reduction practices and solutions in mapping out control and supervision of regular waste management, according to the association.
An introduction of the Việt Nam Zero Waste Tourism Network in Hội An of Đà Nẵng. The network marked the first positive step in achieving the country’s Net Zero commitment in 2050 and boosting waste management in tourism. Photo courtesy of Thu Hiền
HỘI AN The Việt Nam Zero Waste Tourism Network (VZWTN) has been introduced in coordination with the Pacific Environment Việt Nam and Đà Nẵng City’s Tourism Association, marking the first positive step in achieving the country’s Net Zero commitment in 2050.
Phan Xuân Thanh, from the Đà Nẵng Tourism Association, said Hội An ancient town, the UNESCO-recognised world heritage site, has been seen as a trailblazer in waste management for ‘green’ and sustainable tourism since 2019.
He said that the first 33 travel businesses and zero-waste models in central Việt Nam, including Đà Nẵng, Hội An, and former Quảng Nam Province, which have gained ‘green’ tourism certificates, will soon qualify as the first members of the network in reaching a target of attracting 100 members nationwide by 2030.
Members of the network will apply waste and emission reduction practices and solutions in mapping out control and supervision of regular waste management, according to the association.
A group of tourists join a low-carbon tour at a garden of the Field Restaurant under management of EMIC Travel. Zerowaste, recycling and reuse practices and environment-friendly manners were included in the tour. Photo courtesy of EMIC Travel
The first qualified members will then strictly implement actions in reducing greenhouse gas by periodically reporting before transforming completely to a sustainable tourism model.
Quách Thị Xuân, director of the Pacific Environment Việt Nam, said single-use plastic has been damaging friendly destinations in Việt Nam, and the introduction of the network will focus on reducing plastic waste for ‘green’ destination protection and sustainable tourism development.
Hội An, which has been building green tourism brand and 'Zero Waste and Plastic Tourism' to appeal to visitors, has been receiving support and cooperation from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) in helping the city a successful ‘zero waste’ and zero-plastic location in Việt Nam.
The first low-carbon tour has been offered by the local travel agency EMIC Travel in Hội An, Đà Nẵng.
New Đà Nẵng ( the merger of Quảng Nam Province and Đà Nẵng City) is now home to UNESCO-recognised world heritage sites of Hội An ancient town, Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, Inscriptions in ancient Nôm and Hán Chinese characters on the Marble Mountains (the Asia-Pacific Documentary Heritage List), and a world biosphere reserve of Hội An-Chàm Islands.
The city expects to host 12 million tourists in 2025. VNS