Vietnam tourism tightens sustainable certification standards

In the context of the "green tourism" trend becoming an inevitable requirement from the market and the international community, the Vietnamese tourism industry is increasingly focusing on implementing sustainable certifications.

This is considered a strategic step to enhance competitiveness and affirm Vietnam's position as a destination on the regional and world tourism map.

Four sustainability certifications set new standards

At the HorecFex Vietnam 2025 event, a symposium on sustainable development co-organized by ST4SD put the issue of “Certification of sustainable tourism in Vietnam” on the discussion table.

According to Mr. Dang Hong Duc, ESG compliance consultant at Furama - Ariyana Danang International Tourism Complex, international and regional certifications such as VITA Green, ASEAN Tourism Awards, EarthCheck, TUU Eco Stay Awards are gradually creating a common standard for the industry.

Each certification has its own specifics, but all focus on three main pillars: Environmental - Social - Governance (ESG).

Conference Scene

VITA Green is implemented by the Vietnam Tourism Association, based on domestic legal foundation but referring to international standards. The set of criteria includes more than 100 contents, evaluated at three levels, from plastic waste management, energy saving to business transparency and community engagement. This is the first step for domestic businesses to get acquainted with sustainable tourism before aiming for international standards.

The ASEAN Tourism Awards contribute to standardizing services in the region with many categories such as “Clean Tourist City” or “Green Hotel”. The awards are meant to promote cooperation and enhance the image of destinations, but are still qualitative and mainly encouraging.

EarthCheck is a globally recognized certification, applied in more than 70 countries, with a rigorous monitoring process lasting 8–10 months. This is the choice of large corporations that want to affirm their international capacity, but the cost is high and requires large resources.

The TUU Eco Stay Awards, developed by Singapore in 2021, uses data and independent audits to combat “greenwashing”. With the “Verified Bamboo Badge” system and awards for the environment, heritage and community, this certification is expected to create a new wave of competition in the region. The first award ceremony will take place in Phuket (Thailand) in March 2025.

“EarthCheck has the most comprehensive set of criteria but the cost is high. VITA Green and ASEAN Awards are suitable for domestic enterprises, low cost and spread community awareness. Meanwhile, TUU Eco Stay Awards is a new trend, focusing on data and digitalization - very notable for modern business models,” Mr. Duc shared.

International tourists experience at Tra Que Vegetable Village

From small business driver to national brand lever

These stories suggest how SMEs can start with the most immediate indicators and work their way up to international certification.

Sustainability certifications are considered a “passport” to enhance the reputation of Vietnam as a destination, while also creating a standard framework for businesses to improve their operations. Participating in the assessment process requires businesses to review everything from energy and waste management to staff training and community engagement, thereby improving service quality and better meeting the needs of international visitors.

At the policy and market level, the session touched on three major bottlenecks. The first is sharing data and reporting standards so that certifications can be widely recognized among regulators, associations, and technology platforms.

The second is to synchronize domestic criteria with international standards to avoid "two measures", helping businesses avoid having to prove repeatedly.

Third is market-based incentive mechanisms such as prioritizing promotion for certified units, integrating sustainability labels into OTA search engines, and linking funds to support green transformation for tourism businesses.

At a macro level, the certification also helps shape the “green tourism” brand for Vietnam, attracting investment and tourists who prioritize sustainability criteria. When localities and businesses participate together, the tourism industry has more foundations to grow with environmental and social responsibility.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/du-lich-viet-nam-siet-chuan-chung-nhan-ben-vung-20250827090848947.htm