Khanh Hoa pioneers in developing green tourism

With achievements recognized at prestigious awards, along with the issuance of the Green Tourism Standards, Khanh Hoa is affirming its brand and determination to develop green and sustainable tourism.

Pioneering steps

In the context of world tourism developing strongly in the direction of green and sustainability, many tourism businesses in Khanh Hoa have soon realized that this is not only a trend but also the right strategy for long-term development. For many years, resorts like Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, The Anam Cam Ranh, Ana Mandara Cam Ranh, Champa Island Nha Trang, Radisson Blu Cam Ranh... have pioneered the development of green tourism. Businesses have proactively invested in green technology, used renewable energy, limited single-use plastics, built modern wastewater treatment systems and developed environmentally friendly tourism products. Notably, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay has had a Sustainable Development Fund in operation since 2015, demonstrating a long-term commitment to sustainable development. This resort pioneered the installation of a solar panel system, self-sufficient in 26 - 28% of its total operating energy needs. These efforts have brought Six Senses Ninh Van Bay the "HICAP Sustainable Hotel" award in 2024 along with many green hotel awards.

Le Dai Hai - General Manager of Ana Mandara Cam Ranh receives the Top 10 Best Green Hotels in Vietnam award.

Recently, Khanh Hoa has emerged as a destination with a lot of "green" tourist destinations. At the Vietnam Tourism Awards 2025 organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Khanh Hoa made a strong impression when two resorts, Ana Mandara Cam Ranh and Champa Island Nha Trang, were honored in the top 10 Best Green Hotels in Vietnam. Not long ago, Ana Mandara Cam Ranh was awarded the Green Globe 2025 certificate - one of the most prestigious international standards for sustainable development in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Green vegetable garden at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay.

Currently, resorts and tourist attractions in the province are more aware of developing green tourism. Many resorts say "no" to disposable plastic products, actively plant trees, protect the environment, exploit traditional cultural values ​​in tourism activities... "Developing green tourism in Khanh Hoa is not a trend, but a direction for sustainable development. Green tourism is a necessary and vital criterion in the tourism industry", Pham Minh Nhut - Chairman of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association affirmed.

Comprehensive green development

To affirm the determination and create a breakthrough in development, at the end of 2024, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee issued a Plan for developing green and sustainable tourism in the province until 2030, with highly ambitious goals. In particular, by 2030, 80% of tourist attractions and tourism businesses will be labeled green, committed to not using disposable plastic products and hard-to-decompose plastic bags; 95% of tourism businesses invest in and use renewable energy...

In June 2025, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee issued a set of green tourism standards. This is an important tool to help businesses have a clear direction in the transformation process. The set of standards includes 102 criteria for tourist accommodation establishments and 100 criteria for tourist attractions, related to many issues, from greenhouse gas emissions, green actions, sustainable development management, to conservation of natural cultural resources... In order to support businesses in effective implementation, the province has developed a detailed manual and software for managing and evaluating green tourism standards, helping units easily self-review, evaluate and adjust their activities in an environmentally friendly direction. In addition, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also coordinated with VinUni University to organize training on the use of the Green Tourism Standards Management System software for more than 100 4-5 star accommodation businesses. In the coming time, the department will coordinate with relevant units to appraise and grant green tourism certificates to accommodation establishments, tourist areas and destinations in the province.

Green space at The Anam Cam Ranh resort.

Referring to the green tourism development orientation of Khanh Hoa, Dr. Pham Ha - General Director of Lux Group shared: "In the context of expanding development and increasingly fierce competition for destinations, the issuance of a plan and set of green tourism standards by Khanh Hoa province is the right direction, ensuring harmony between economic growth and environmental protection, between modernization and preservation of traditional culture.

At a workshop to make Khanh Hoa a comprehensive green destination, many experts commented that with a solid foundation from policies, pioneering of businesses and response of the community, Khanh Hoa can absolutely become a bright spot in green tourism, sustainable tourism, not only in Vietnam but also in the region. According to experts, in parallel with development solutions, Khanh Hoa needs to promote brand positioning strategy. Propaganda activities, raising awareness for the community, tourists and businesses need to be strengthened, because developing green and sustainable tourism is still facing challenges. In addition, the province also needs to propose preferential policies to encourage businesses to build green tourism products, friendly to the environment, creating motivation to implement the strategy of developing green and sustainable tourism in the new period.

Xuan Thanh

Translated by T.T