Vietnamese tourism is threatened by plastic waste

A French tourist's account of how simple it is to litter in Vietnam serves as a reminder of how big a problem plastic garbage has become for the Vietnamese tourism industry. However, studies show that, in addition to other plastic products and personal belongings, the average visitor in Vietnam produces a substantial amount of plastic garbage per day, including 5–10 plastic bags, 2-4 plastic bottles, and milk cartons.

The issue of plastic trash pollution could have a severe effect on biodiversity preservation, sustainable tourism growth, and the general beauty of Vietnam's natural landscapes and environment if it is not resolved. This will surely hurt the nation's tourism industry and competitiveness, especially as the busiest travel period gets closer.

Changing mindsets and perceptions

Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Tourism, highlights the significance of altering people's mindsets and views in order to address this issue. By minimizing plastic consumption and preventing its release into the environment when traveling, any business or person can help reduce plastic trash. The environmental impact could be greatly lessened as a result.

Reduce the use of plastic items and non-biodegradable nylon bags in favor of more environmentally friendly substitutes including paper bags, cloth bags, reusable bags, and biodegradable nylon bags as the first step toward achieving this aim. In Khanh Hoa, some hotels and resorts have already started utilizing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags and straws, as well as recycling rubbish to make decorations that support environmental protection.

Winpro Tourism & Trade Co., Ltd. (Hanoi) spokesperson Le Thi Thuy Hang emphasizes the necessity for the tourist sector to assume responsibility for the environmental and social effect it causes by setting an example with concrete and targeted efforts. Throughout each journey, tourism businesses should encourage clients to participate in the protection of the environment by sharing their "Clean and Green" message. This strategy may gradually change how customers think and perceive green travel and sustainable development.

Spreading the Message to the Community

In the provinces of Ninh Binh and Quang Nam, the Vietnam Tourism Association recently unveiled the "Reducing Plastic Waste in Tourism" project, which intends to trial ways to minimize plastic waste at some restaurants, hotels, tourist destinations, and attractions.

The first pilot location of the project, Van Ba Son, the Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Quang Nam province, stated that in order to successfully implement the project, there should be a mechanism to encourage units to deploy green tourism, without using plastic waste, in addition to raising awareness among locals, visitors, and businesses to use environmentally friendly materials. When assessing the company's service quality, this ought to increase the score.

The Deputy Director of the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism, Pham Duy Phong, stated that Ninh Binh will concentrate on waste collection, teaching and advising people on how to classify waste, and piloting it in eco-tourism zones such the tourist sites of Trang An and Van Long.

With great expectations that it will assist the tourism sector in the long run, the "Reducing Plastic Waste in Vietnam's Tourism Industry" initiative has just begun. The president of the Vietnam Tourism Association, Vu The Binh, stated that the tourism sector will work to increase public and tourist awareness in the near future as well as pilot the model and spread it to many areas throughout the nation.

Every person and business must become more conscious of the problem of plastic garbage as the busiest travel season draws near and take immediate action to reject it in order to avoid alienating travelers and to boost Vietnam's tourism industry's reputation. As a result, Vietnam will become a genuinely excellent tourist destination for people around the world.