Ho Chi Minh City promotes green tourism
With the goal of green transformation towards sustainable development, within the framework of ITE HCMC 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has actively coordinated with units to bring international buyers and the press unique community tourism programs, cultural, historical, culinary experiences, etc., to promote tourism in Ho Chi Minh City in general and Vietnam in particular.
International tourists are impressed with green tours
The ITE HCMC 2024 took place over 3 days, from September 05th to 07th, 2024, and welcomed over 700 leaders from top tourism organizations and businesses worldwide, representing 38 countries and territories. This was considered a great opportunity to widely promote the advantages and potential of tourism in Vietnam to international friends. Especially, it aimed to introduce new products to tourists and approach sustainable tourism development.
In order to develop the theme “Sustainable Travel – Creating Future”, the organizers of ITE HCMC 2024 have collaborated with travel agencies to organize several “green tourism tours” for international delegates and the press, with highlights such as using green transportation like bicycles, experiencing community-based tourism, and participating in unique practical activities…
Joining the tour programs, the delegates were excited to experience the community-based tourism model for the first time in Thieng Lieng island hamlet (Thanh An commune, Can Gio district) with activities such as cycling around the island, learning about the local people’s lives with the salt-making profession, relaxing with foot soaking therapy using herbal salt, long-term sea salt and over 15 traditional herbal medicines of Can Gio. In addition, learn more about culture through the melodies of traditional music (đờn ca tài tử, etc.) and directly participate in reforestation by planting trees.
The tours are designed to be diverse, experiencing public transportation such as double-decker buses, vintage Vespa tours, river cruises on the Saigon River, etc. and take tourists to visit famous landmarks such as Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, Nha Rong Wharf, Bach Dang Wharf, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, War Remnants Museum, Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, Nha Rong Wharf, Cu Chi Tunnels, etc.
Specially, Miss Bao Ngoc – Ambassador of ITE HCMC 2023 and 2024, along with 4 international beauty queens: Miss Grand Myanmar 2024 – Thae Su Nyein, Miss International Cambodia 2023 Alyna Somnang; 1st Runner-up Miss Grand Laos 2023 – Louise Chanthalangsy and Miss Thailand 2024 – Dinsorsee Panida Kernjinda visited Ho Chi Minh City and experienced its diverse cultural and culinary aspects.
Miss Bao Ngoc confidently introduced the history and culture of Ho Chi Minh City to the four beauty queens, allowing them to experience a modern and youthful urban area that is a convergence of various cultures.
Organized before, during, and after the ITE HCMC 2024, the 11 tour programs, with a duration of 01 – 02 days, are expected to attract over 400 international delegates and media participants.
Ho Chi Minh City, striving to promote green transformation in sustainable tourism development.
The development of green tourism, sustainable tourism is set as an important strategy to enhance the competitive capacity of the tourism industry and become a prerequisite for the direction of net-zero tourism development in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the major urban areas in Vietnam, with a central location for tourism. It is currently facing numerous challenges in terms of sustainable development, which are closely linked to the protection of natural resources, preservation of natural landscapes, and the safeguarding of the environment for sustainable growth.
In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has made significant efforts to collaborate with provinces and cities in the region, as well as partnering with various international organizations, to develop sustainable programs and promote community awareness of green tourism. For example, actively implementing community-based tourism products such as Thieng Lieng community tourism, eco-tourism linked to the construction of new rural areas and Ocop products, and waterway tourism, etc.
Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City is actively promoting digital transformation and the application of technology in tourism. It encourages the use of environmentally friendly materials and the development of green services such as electric vehicles and bicycles.
With the aim of developing tourism in harmony with the ecological environment and local culture, and striving for sustainable development in terms of economy, culture, and environment, in the near future, Ho Chi Minh City commits to quickly review and improve solutions, establish criteria, policy mechanisms, and specific action plans to effectively implement the green transformation mission, aiming for net zero and always being innovative and creative in approaching tourism. – Mr. Nguyen Van Dung – Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of the City said.
