Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling capital, is charting a bold course towards sustainable tourism, pledging a complete ban on single-use plastics in hotels and tourist areas by 2026. This ambitious initiative marks a significant shift in the city’s approach to tourism, prioritizing environmental responsibility and long-term ecological well-being.
Phased Elimination of Single-Use Plastics: A Landmark Policy
Hanoi, a city grappling with over 1,400 tons of plastic waste daily, is fundamentally reshaping its tourism industry. The transformation begins with seemingly small changes – eliminating single-use plastic items like toothbrushes, razors, plastic bags, and miniature toiletries from hotels. Starting in 2026, all hotels and tourist sites will be prohibited from providing these disposable plastic items to guests. This ban will be followed by a phased elimination of free plastic bags in markets and convenience stores. The city aims for a complete halt to the production and import of all single-use plastics and microplastic-containing products by 2031.
This policy has been lauded by experts as a revolutionary step in the sustainable development of Hanoi’s tourism sector. Vu Quoc Tri, Secretary General of the Vietnam Tourism Association, commented, “The green transition is not just a trend, but a necessary path. However, this is not an easy path, especially for small and micro-enterprises, which constitute the majority of Hanoi’s tourism industry.” Tri highlighted the significant financial challenges faced by businesses in replacing all their supplies with eco-friendly alternatives. He urged the swift implementation of tax incentives, green credit policies, and targeted communication strategies to incentivize businesses to adapt.
The UNWTO’s “Sustainable Tourism Global Report 2023” supports this initiative; it reveals that approximately 75% of international tourists are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly travel services. This underscores a growing global demand for sustainable tourism options, a trend Hanoi is actively capitalizing upon.
Expanding the “Green” Initiative Beyond Hotels
The city’s sustainability drive extends beyond hotels. From the end of this year, a pilot program will ban single-use plastics in cafes, restaurants, and beverage shops within Hanoi’s inner ring road (Vành đai 1). This initiative aims not only to reduce plastic waste but also to enhance Hanoi’s image as a modern, environmentally conscious, and human-centric city among international tourists.
Green Tourism Product Development: A Holistic Approach
Hanoi’s commitment to green tourism isn’t limited to eliminating plastics; it involves creating a comprehensive ecosystem of sustainable destinations, products, communities, and communication strategies. The Ba Vi mountain region, west of Hanoi, exemplifies this approach.
Ba Vi: A Model for Green Tourism
Known as Hanoi’s “green lung,” the Ba Vi mountain area boasts pristine forests, a temperate climate, indigenous communities, and a rich tapestry of cultural, spiritual, and ecological tourism assets. Hanoi’s tourism sector is leveraging this potential by developing green tourism models in villages surrounding Ba Vi. These initiatives include community tourism with the Dao ethnic group, offering traditional herbal baths, wellness retreats, and trekking tours that combine cultural exploration with visits to spiritual sites like the Den Thuong temple and the K9 historical relic site. With significant investment, these offerings could establish Ba Vi as a leading destination for restorative tourism in the capital and northern Vietnam.
Green Tourism within Hanoi’s City Center
Simultaneously, Hanoi is promoting green tourism initiatives within the city center, fostering innovation in the sector. These include electric vehicle tours exploring Hanoi’s 28 ancient streets, organized by Dong Xuan Company; walking tours showcasing French colonial architecture, and cycling tours through the ancient villages of Co Loa, Bat Trang, and Thang Long. Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi’s cultural heart, has introduced smoke-free zones at 30 historical sites, creating a cleaner and more pleasant environment for both local residents and international visitors.
Thai Thi Thanh Lan, Head of Captour, remarked, “Hanoi is on the right track by simultaneously promoting green products and improving service standards. The priority now lies in strengthening connectivity, communication, training, and providing opportunities for locals to become storytellers and ambassadors for their own hometowns through authentic experiences.”
Training and Education: Empowering Local Communities
Hanoi is actively investing in training programs. These programs focus on civil conduct, waste management, plastic bag reduction, and the absolute prohibition of wildlife trafficking. These training sessions are often incorporated into experiential learning tours. The tourism sector, in collaboration with other governmental departments, is developing comprehensive green tourism criteria encompassing energy efficiency, biodiversity protection, and community contributions. These criteria will serve as a basis for evaluating and supporting destinations in their transition towards sustainability.
Measurable Success: The Hương Sơn Eco-Tourism Model
Dang Huong Giang, Director of Hanoi’s Department of Tourism, points to the Hương Sơn eco-tourism model as a testament to the effectiveness of these initiatives. This model has demonstrated a significant increase in tourist numbers, distributing visitor traffic evenly throughout the year. Tourism revenues now represent nearly 35% of the local economy – a strong indicator of the financial benefits of sustainable tourism practices.
Given the growing global emphasis on environmental responsibility and sustainability in tourism, Hanoi’s steadfast pursuit of a green tourism strategy will not only elevate the city’s reputation but also secure a sustainable competitive advantage for its tourism industry. The transition from plastic toothbrushes to bamboo alternatives and the shift from plastic bags to reusable cloth bags represents a fundamental transformation, not just in Hanoi’s approach to economic development, but also in how it engages with and presents itself to the world.
