What’s the next destination: Sustainability and Tourism in Vietnam 

Planning your next trip? Want to take a scenic boat ride along the beautiful Ha Long Bay? Hike the scenic summit of Sapa? Visit the historic sites of the culturally rich Hoi An? 

Vietnam is a beautiful country to visit and has much to offer with its environment-oriented sites. However, with the 2016 Paris Agreement requesting member states to revise their goals and policies by the end of 2023, there has been much discussion on the world’s progress. Not only that, but how each individual citizen has changed their lifestyles to help reduce their carbon footprint. 

Whilst transnational corporations are a large culprit in contributing to the rising levels of carbon emissions, the development of sustainable tourism is increasingly relevant as COVID-19 restrictions and borders open up for travel. Looking towards a tourist hot spot, Vietnam, the balance between innovative ways tourism uplifts states’ economies, and the commodification of culture raises questions on whether tourism helps preserve or exploit culture.   

What do we mean by sustainable tourism? 

Despite traditional development being typically defined through a state’s growing economy, sustainable development is defined beyond the monetary value of a state. Rather, in context to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainable development incorporates a Triple Bottom Line approach where the economy, environment and socio-cultural values intersect. This is particularly important when discussing SDG 12, which not only includes the economic target of creating jobs within tourism, but also a goal to “promote local culture and products” alongside “efficient use of natural resources.” In Vietnam in particular, much of its culture stems from their iconic natural sceneries, spiritual temples and niche, local customs involving handicrafts and food.

The Good

Economic Uplift 

Culture plays a significant part in sustainably elevating the local economy through the promotion of cultural assets. The initiative in Hội An to implement tickets in previously free-of-cost heritage sites helped reduce overcrowding and gain more monetary compensation, which increased international investment in Vietnamese cultural tourism. Further, this project also offered platforms for ethical and environmentally friendly ideas which engaged local financial systems. The increasing number of tourists also means locals can obtain more sources of income through jobs in new hotels residing in tourist scenic areas or by selling traditional items and food. Without these methods for conserving these cultural symbols, communities would be unable to capitalise on cultural assets and gain a better standard of living. 

Cultural Preservation 

Additionally, sustainable tourism can strengthen cultural traditions by emphasising its purpose to a wider audience. In Vietnam’s growing tourism industry, where an international market has become interested in an “authentic” cultural experience, Vietnam is able to increase the visibility of its rich diversity. The construction of Hạ Long bay’s eco-museum, which focuses on its distinct scenery and unique fishing community, demonstrates a resurgence of traditional practices in order to meet the expectations of tourists. This provides authentic information for international tourists who inherently become more culturally aware by interacting with localised, informational sources such as eco-museums. Tourism also elevates culture’s role in sustainable development by fortifying traditions within communities through the exchange of education, customs, and practices. This construction of national pride and dignity is important in sustainable development as it considers the precious identities of marginalised communities who experience higher rates of poverty and diminished recognition. 

The Bad

Cultural Spectacle 

However, the mass consumerism of these heritage sites diminishes the cultural meaning of these sceneries into cheap, commercial spectacles that cater to a Western gaze. The rise of illegal tours that entice Western travellers with cheap prices but ultimately promote misunderstandings reveals how Vietnamese culture has been commodified when economic interest is prioritised. For instance, the illegal advertisement of ivory and ‘tiger glue’ products is a core example of ‘orientalism’, as Westerners are appealed by the ‘exoticism’ of such unethical goods. The attraction of Western customers is often the focus for these tours as many travel agents and tour guides prioritise the economic benefits of these tours over cultural authenticity. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the harmful effects of economic endeavours in cultural tourism, as sustainable development requires environmental and cultural consideration to be truly long-lasting and respectful.

Environmental degradation 

Furthermore, the role of culture in sustainable tourism has been undermined by mass- consumption which risks eroding important aspects of Vietnam’s culture. Due to the cost-effective nature and heightened interest of Vietnam as a holiday destination, there needs to be more measures to protect its “dwindling cultural and heritage assets”. For instance, overcrowding of boats, cruise ships and tourists in sacred heritage sites such as Ha Long Bay, as well as construction sites in Sapa, has introduced pollution and excess waste. In the absence of careful maintenance, mass-consumerism threatens to demolish these environmental sites as trees are destroyed, water is polluted, and sites vandalised as a result of mass consumerism. Thus, by transforming these natural sceneries into commercial sites, sustainable development is undermined by the environmental degradation of these sceneries that represent rural, Vietnamese communities’ cultures

What’s next: To travel or not to travel? 

The question arises: how does one travel ethically and sustainably in Vietnam? Luckily, there are various organisations and locally-sourced tours and resources available for future travellers to consider. 

• Support local tour guides, such as the Sapa Sisters, who not only promote their culture in an educational and culturally accurate manner, but also need the support of tourists to support their livelihoods; 
• Educate yourself and follow on local customs and traditions in certain areas such as temples and pagodas;
• Learn and be open-minded to local craftsmen and traders who aim to teach and sell their craft.

Tourism should not be considered black or white, where one is ethical in not travelling or vice versa. Instead, critical awareness of where to source one’s experience and certain practices is needed in a globalised world of culture and developing sustainability.