Green Talks #20 – Vietnam, awareness of sustainable tourism is growing

Grażyna Grot-Duziak: Łukasz,  you are living over 9 years in Vietnam , you observe changes, can we talk about sustainable development in Vietnam?

Łukasz Kozłowski: Yes, absolutely. Sustainable development is becoming increasingly important, not just in Vietnam but across Southeast Asia. In Vietnam’s case, the focus has grown even more after the post-COVID-19 tourism boom. Before the pandemic, steps were already being taken in this direction, but when the country shut down for two years, many initiatives were put on hold. Once Vietnam reopened in 2022, this sector started growing rapidly again.

The challenges, however, are enormous, especially with the increasing number of tourists. For example, in 2023, Vietnam welcomed 12 million international tourists, and by 2024, that number had grown to 17 million. On top of that, there were 100 million domestic trips recorded. Such intense tourist activity inevitably puts pressure on the environment. Key issues include preserving natural resources, planning new investments, waste management, and reducing the use of plastic and disposable packaging.

Tourism-related investments have a significant impact on landscapes and the environment. A prime example is the construction of Long Thanh International Airport, located 40 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. In its first phase, the airport aims to handle 50 million passengers annually, eventually reaching 100 million. Such a massive project brings extensive infrastructure changes that will inevitably affect the surrounding areas.

Similar developments are happening elsewhere in the country. In central Vietnam, new resorts are being built in once-quiet coastal towns. Locations like Quy Nhon, which draws visitors with its unique combination of mountains and sea, and Tuy Hoa, are rapidly developing with hopes of boosting tourism revenue.

In northern Vietnam, significant investments are also underway, such as expanding the tourist infrastructure on Cat Ba Island, near a national park. New facilities for tourists are being built there, which bring both opportunities and environmental risks. Plans also include constructing an airport in Sapa, a popular destination currently accessible only after a five- to six-hour drive from Hanoi.

In the future, Vietnam is also set to build a high-speed railway running through the entire country, significantly improving accessibility for tourists. While these changes will bring many benefits, they also pose enormous challenges in terms of sustainability and environmental protection.

Who is behind these initiatives?

Efforts are being made at various levels, creating a broad ecosystem of change. At the state level, the Vietnamese government is introducing regulations aimed at reducing plastic use and promoting environmental awareness campaigns. However, this is just the beginning—such laws need not only to be implemented but also effectively enforced.

On a local and private level, tourism companies—including ours—play a key role. We often act as a bridge between tourists, local communities, and business partners. Our guests, while exploring the region, frequently notice environmental challenges and share their observations with us. We pass these insights on to our partners and local authorities, helping drive change.

As part of the EUROCHAM Tourism & Hospitality Sector Committee, we work directly with government officials and provincial authorities. We discuss opportunities and challenges Vietnam faces in sustainable development. This is crucial because the growing number of tourists—both international and domestic—puts pressure on infrastructure, particularly accommodation facilities.

At the same time, traveler awareness is increasing. More and more tourists want to experience destinations authentically rather than just visiting mass-tourism hotspots. This forces provinces and towns to compete, but also encourages more thoughtful approaches to development, avoiding over-urbanization and preserving their unique charm.

This is where we step in, offering our expertise and experience to local governments. By collaborating not only with EUROCHAM but also with CEEC (Central & Eastern European Chamber of Commerce), we regularly meet with provincial authorities. We discuss plans, share examples of good practices from Europe and other parts of the world, and work on solutions.

Local authorities are increasingly open to such dialogue, which is a big step forward. EUROCHAM has achieved significant progress in this area. One of its key projects is the annual “White Book,” which includes a section on tourism. In this publication, we outline opinions and suggestions for changes that could support sustainable tourism development in Vietnam. It’s a practical tool for dialogue with the government and a critical step toward systemic change.

Are there achievements and projects Vietnam can already be proud of?

Many actions are being undertaken in collaboration with NGOs. Campaigns focusing on wildlife protection, reducing plastic use, waste management, recycling, and eco-friendly solutions in everyday life are becoming more common. Organizations like Conservation Vietnam work to protect endangered species unique to Vietnam. They raise funds and have achieved considerable success in various parts of the country. There’s also the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development, which brings together companies eager to share their experiences in this area. Each year, the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE) provides a platform for global companies to present cutting-edge solutions and for experts to exchange views during themed panels.

Tourism is one of the key topics discussed at GEFE. This year, I had the honor of being a panelist on “Designing Regenerative Systems for Tourism,” alongside representatives from companies like Airbus, Vietnam Airlines, and Six Senses.

Does your company have a strategy in this area? Any achievements or certifications?

Absolutely! We started with ourselves by implementing a Zero Plastic Policy in our Saigon office. This was a challenge for us and our employees, but we developed a system that works. For instance, in Vietnam, coffee is often served in plastic cups with straws. With 30 people in our office, that meant 30 cups a day—an enormous amount of plastic waste. We encouraged our team to switch to reusable cups, and over time, we applied the same approach to takeout food. We even created a list of restaurants that deliver food in recyclable packaging and convinced some local vendors to change their packaging.

We also work closely with local partners, such as hotels and transport companies, to help them adopt more sustainable solutions. Often, a little education and sharing examples from Europe are enough to inspire change. For instance, we talk to restaurants about using alternatives to single-use containers, and it works! People are receptive to these ideas, especially when they realize the cost per unit isn’t much higher.

In smaller regions, like some islands in the Philippines where we also operate, plastic bag distribution has already been banned. This wasn’t due to ecological awareness but necessity—there’s no space left for landfills.

While we don’t yet have certifications related to sustainability, that’s one of our goals for the near future. We’re currently working on eliminating plastic bottles during tours, but that requires coordination with transport companies, restaurants, and other partners. It’s a work in progress, but we’re confident we’ll get there.

Are tourists interested in responsible travel? Do they bring it up themselves?

Absolutely. More and more people ask about sustainability. Clients want to know if hotels meet eco-standards or if our programs include environmentally friendly elements. Many also ask about attractions involving animals. In our company, we have a strict no-cooperation policy with organizations that exploit animals, which is met with great approval.

What are your plans for the future?

Our priority is to promote eco-friendly solutions in our programs and obtain certifications that confirm our commitment to sustainability. We aim to introduce innovations that make travel more environmentally friendly without compromising comfort or quality.

We also want to deepen our collaboration with local communities. By creating programs that are both eco-conscious and beneficial for residents, we hope to support regional development while preserving their unique culture.

More and more incentive groups are looking for programs that go beyond beautiful memories—they want trips that leave a positive and lasting impact. Our programs will focus on fulfilling this growing demand, ensuring they stand out with sustainability and meaningful experiences.

Thank  you so much,  wishing your company and Vietnam luck in implementation sustainable solutions for travel industry.

Grażyna Grot-Duziak, Site Polska, MICE Expert

 

Łukasz Kozłowski , CEO & Co-Founder MakeYourAsia Co.,Ltd

Łukasz Kozłowski has over 10 years of experience in the travel industry, combining the discovery and presentation of the beauty of Southeast Asia to the European market.

As Co-founder and CEO of MakeYourAsia Co., Ltd., Łukasz leads a dynamic destination management company (DMC) based in Ho Chi Minh City, overseeing an international team of 18 professionals.

Łukasz’s deep understanding of the vibrant landscape of Southeast Asia has allowed him to create travel experiences that seamlessly combine the cultural, culinary and natural wonders of the region. Under his leadership, MakeYourAsia specializes in organizing leisure tours, incentive trips and trade fair services in seven countries in Southeast Asia, serving both private and business clients. Committed to sustainable tourism, Łukasz strives to minimize the company’s environmental impact while preserving the cultural and natural treasures of local communities.

Łukasz is an active participant in the wider business community. He is a board member of EuroCham, the Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce (CEEC) and an engaged member of EuroCham’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector Committee.