The West Lake lotus pond in Hà Nội is a magnet to visitors. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội was recently honoured with the “Sustainable Tourism” Award at the Tourism Promotion Organisation for Global Cities (TPO) Best Awards 2025, which acknowledges the capital city’s enduring efforts in fostering a friendly travel environment and also highlights the urgent need for green transformation to assert its position on the international tourism map.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phạm Trung Lương, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Education Association, noted that green tourism is a method of environmentally friendly development based on the rational use of natural resources, minimised negative impacts on the environment, and priority given to responsible tourism types and products, a focus of which is ecotourism.

Over the years, Hà Nội has pursued environmentally-friendly tourism development linked with cultural preservation. Such initiatives as reducing single-use plastics in accommodations and restaurants, the “Green Sunday” campaign, community-based and eco-tourism models, and waste sorting systems at relic sites have contributed to the capital’s image as a clean, safe, and green destination.

Last year, the capital welcomed nearly 28 million tourist arrivals, with more than 6.4 million foreigners, and earned VNĐ111 trillion (US$4.2 billion) in tourism revenue, nearly 8 per cent of its GRDP.

Notably, the 80th National Day celebrations in September this year significantly boosted tourism in Hà Nội, which attracted over 2 million visitors during the four-day holiday—three times more than the same period last year. International arrivals increased by 35 per cent, and tourism revenue soared 80 per cent to reach approximately VNĐ4.5 trillion. Meanwhile, hotel and condotel occupancy averaged 83 per cent, with many 3- to 5-star establishments fully booked.

These impressive figures underscore Hà Nội's growing appeal, where cultural and historical values merge with the city’s commitment to green tourism. 

Hà Nội is honoured with the Sustainable Tourism Award at the Tourism Promotion Organisation for Global Cities (TPO) Best Awards 2025. — VNA/VNS Photo

However, Lương pointed out several limitations in the capital city’s sustainable tourism development efforts, elaborating that no Hà Nội destination has been officially recognised as a green one under standardised criteria.

He blamed that fact on uneven levels of awareness of green tourism's role in urban development, a shortage of appropriate assessment criteria and recognition mechanisms, limited investment resources, and insufficient inter-sectoral coordination. As a result, potential destinations like Ba Vì, Hương Son, and West Lake have not fully realised their promise as iconic green hubs.

Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Đặng Hương Giang said that the “Sustainable Tourism” Award will open up international cooperation opportunities, helping the city learn from others globally to improve its competitive edge and position on the world’s tourism map.

Experts believe that Hà Nội should issue a set of criteria tailored to its urban conditions, enhance regional linkages, encourage community engagement, and prioritise investment in green infrastructure and clean energy. They also advocate the use of digital technology in tourism management and promotion.

Dr Vũ Văn Tuyền, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Community-Based Tourism Association, perceived that non-environmentally friendly tourism models will be removed once sustainability becomes compulsory. At present, Hanoi University, in partnership with the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), has launched a project on training and awareness improvement to build a workforce with a sustainability mindset, meeting the sector’s integration and innovation requirements in the new period.— VNA/VNS