The event gathered over 200 domestic and international delegates, representatives from localities in Japan, China, South Korea, and Vietnam, along with international organizations, enterprises, and experts in the tourism sector.
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| Permanent Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh speaking at the session |
Pioneering the development of environmentally-friendly tourism models
Opening the session, the Member of the City Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee emphasized: “In the context of climate change having increasingly profound impacts, tourism development models based purely on resource exploitation are gradually revealing their limitations. Green and sustainable tourism development is not just a trend, but an inevitable path for tourism to continue developing without compromising the environment, culture, or community interests.”
Throughout the session, the presentations, discussions, and practical models presented all agreed on one thing: Green tourism is not only an environmental solution, but a sustainable economic solution that brings long-term benefits to both destinations and local residents.
According to Ms. Phan Linh Chi, Deputy Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam’s tourism development strategy to 2030 has identified green tourism development as its top priority, based on sustainable growth foundations, climate change response, optimization of natural resource use, and heritage protection.
“From the national level, the tourism industry is gradually transforming its development mindset. Instead of focusing on visitor numbers, the focus now is on improving service quality, creating tourism products with cultural identity and environmental responsibility. The ‘Green lotus’ criteria applied to sustainable accommodation facilities. ‘Go Green Tourism’ campaigns, or plastic waste reduction programs at destinations, are all examples of this commitment,” said Ms. Linh Chi.
The National Tourism Administration representative also affirmed that green tourism development is not only the task of state management agencies but requires synchronized participation from businesses, residential communities, educational institutions, professional associations, and especially tourists.
As the only city in Vietnam with a monument complex recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, Hue understands well the equation between conservation and development. In recent years, the city has implemented a series of pilot green tourism models such as: “Hue - Zero Waste Destination”, community tourism development in Thuy Bieu and Huong Tra, building a space for culture, wellness, and arts at An Nhien Garden...
According to Hue city leaders, green tourism development is Hue’s strategic transformation step. Hue doesn’t want to be a place that merely preserves heritage, but to become a city of innovation and creativity, connecting the past with the future. Green tourism is the way to renew cultural values, advancing Hue without losing its identity.
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| The presentations focus on the need to develop green tourism in the current context |
Not only the government, but local businesses in Hue have also proactively transformed themselves. A representative from Vietnam Travel Company shared: “We invest in small tours, walking, cycling, exploring craft villages, vegetarian cuisine, meditation... combined with environmental education. Tourists experience and also contribute to heritage preservation. This is a trend with growing appeal, especially among international visitors.”
The “Key” to sustainable development
At the session, many green tourism development models from East Asian countries were presented, bringing rich perspectives and practical lessons. The delegation from Tottori Prefecture (Japan) introduced the “wellness tourism” model, in which health care tourism is linked with mineral spring resources, therapy, and relaxation activities in natural environments. This not only is a premium service, but also contributes to landscape conservation and improving local residents’ quality of life.
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| Green tourism models are being vigorously implemented in Hue |
The representative from Yamanashi Prefecture (Japan) emphasized solutions to control overtourism at famous destinations like Mount Fuji. Planning rest stops, limiting visitor numbers by time, combined with community and tourist education, has helped this locality protect its fragile ecosystem while maintaining stable tourism revenue.
Meanwhile, the “resident-friendly museum tourism” model introduced by Shaanxi Province (China) is presented as a way to create shared spaces between tourists and local communities. Museums are not only display venues, but also the “cultural living rooms” for urban residents, where everyone participates in preserving memories and creating new experiences.
From Vietnamese localities, the Phu Tho province representative emphasized the potential for green tourism linked with intangible cultural heritage such as Xoan singing, Hung King worship beliefs, combined with ecological resorts, agricultural tourism, and healthcare at Thanh Thuy. The province proposed establishing an East Asian Green Tourism Alliance, organizing product connection chains like the “Return to East Asian Origins” journey.
From an international perspective, the Asia-Pacific Tourism Organization (APTA) and the East Asia Cooperation Fund appreciated Hue City’s efforts in organizing a specialized session that was both strategic, practical, and specific. Hue is becoming a model for cultural tourism linked with sustainable development. This approach needs replicated throughout the East Asian region.
Closing the session, Permanent Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh affirmed a very clear message: Green and sustainable tourism development is not only an urgent requirement to protect the environment, biodiversity and local cultural values, but also an opportunity for localities and countries in the East Asian region to cooperate, share experiences, innovate, and develop sustainably.