Hue and the journey to awaken the potential of green lagoon tourism

With the largest brackish water lagoon system in Southeast Asia, Tam Giang - Cau Hai, Hue city is gradually positioning itself as a pioneering destination in developing green and sustainable tourism.

Peaceful scenery of Tam Giang lagoon - Cau Hai in Hue .

The zero-plastic ecotourism models sponsored by the project "Hue - Plastic-reducing city in Central Vietnam" (funded by WWF - Norway through WWF - Vietnam) in lagoon communes such as Phu An, Quang Loi... are contributing to awakening and preserving the unique ecosystem, while enhancing the cultural and economic value for the local community.

Awaken your potential, face the challenge

Located on the edge of Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon, Phu An commune (Phu Vang district) has long been known as a "rough gem" in the eco -tourism picture of Hue. The advantage of a diverse brackish water ecosystem, combined with traditional occupations such as aquaculture, net fishing (a form of aquatic exploitation), brackish water clam fishing... creates a very unique attraction for tourists who love to experience and explore.

The highlight of the locality is the Chuon Lagoon area - where many floating restaurants and community tourism services are concentrated. Visitors coming here can not only enjoy fresh seafood right in the middle of the lagoon, but can also participate in traditional fishing activities, deeply connected with the lives of the local people. The sunrise and sunset scenes on Chuon Lagoon are always compared by international photographers and tourists to a "paradise of light" that is quiet, brilliant and poetic.

After catching fish, visitors can directly cook whale pancakes - a specialty dish of Dam Chuon destination.

Not stopping at the scenery and cuisine, An Truyen rural market with whale pancakes is also an indispensable part of the journey to discover Phu An - a place that preserves the culinary soul and the life of farmers in the lagoon area.

According to Mr. Nguyen The Gioi, Vice Chairman of Phu An Commune People's Committee, along with tourism development, in recent years, Phu An Commune is facing increasingly obvious challenges in terms of environmental pollution, especially disposable plastic waste. Plastic bags, plastic bottles, foam boxes, etc. not only damage the landscape but also directly threaten the fragile ecosystem of the lagoon - which supports hundreds of households in the Chuon lagoon area. This is also the cause of the decline in the quality of tourism experiences and public health.

About 20 km from the center of Hue city, Quang Loi commune (Quang Dien district) is also emerging as an attractive destination thanks to its tourism resources with rich natural landscapes, long-standing traditional culture and typical livelihoods of the lagoon residents. Ngu My Thanh - Con Toc is a tourist destination that was formed quite early and developed in Quang Loi, with high appeal to international visitors. Coming here, visitors can participate in many types of services, entertainment and experiences such as sunrise and sunset tours by boat, floating market, cycling, fishing, SUP rowing in the mangrove forest, experiencing Thuy Lap rattan and bamboo weaving, traditional agriculture, cycling to visit the village, community accommodation (homestay)...

However, Quang Loi is also facing a similar challenge of plastic pollution; not only does it affect the quality of the landscape and the experience of tourists, but it also threatens public health and the sustainable development of the destination. This situation has posed an urgent need for localities to have an ecotourism development model that is not only based on resource exploitation but also focuses on environmental conservation and regeneration - a green, responsible and long-term development model.

Tourists experience fishing in the brackish water of Dam Chuon.

In 2025, Hue City Department of Tourism will coordinate with the Project "Hue - Plastic-reducing City in Central Vietnam" and some localities along the lagoon to launch models of plastic-reducing eco-tourism spots with the specific goal of reducing at least 50% of the amount of disposable plastic lost to the environment during tourism activities; raise awareness and change the behavior of stakeholders - from businesses, local authorities to residents and tourists.

Project Manager "Hue - Plastic-reducing urban area in Central Vietnam" Hoang Ngoc Tuong Van said that the implementation of the plastic-reducing model not only contributes to preserving the natural landscape and local livelihoods, but also demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental protection, minimizing the loss of plastic waste into the environment, towards the development of green and sustainable tourism in Hue - a place that is aiming to become a plastic-reducing urban area in Central Vietnam.

From commitment to action

Tourists experience rowing and casting nets (a form of fishing) in brackish water.

After nearly 3 months of implementing the model in Phu An, more than 30 members of tourism service providers in Dam Chuon have been trained on the harmful effects of plastic waste, and shared and practiced specific solutions such as replacing plastic items with glass, paper, bamboo, etc. In particular, 7 tourism establishments have signed a commitment to reduce plastic waste and implemented many practical solutions, such as sorting waste at source, applying the 6T principle (Refuse - Reduce - Reuse - Replace - Recycle - Collect).

Dam Chuon has installed information panels promoting plastic-reducing ecotourism, free water dispensers for tourists to limit the use of plastic bottles, and other supporting items at restaurants and experience tours.

The owner of Dam Chuon Hoi Quan restaurant, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung, shared: "We have replaced plastic bottles with paper cups and glass bottles, and sorted trash in the right place. Tourists, especially French tourists - accounting for about 80% of international visitors to Dam Chuon - are very supportive of the plastic reduction model and expressed satisfaction with the quiet space and real-life experiences with the locals."

According to Mr. Phan Viet, a business owner in Dam Chuon, switching to using environmentally friendly materials is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity to enhance tourism value and retain visitors. "We will continue to join hands and be creative in implementing 6T solutions, together with the community to preserve the lagoon resources - the most precious thing that sustains this entire region," he shared.

Experiencing fishing and cooking whale pancakes - Dam Chuon specialty, tourist Nguyen Thi Nhu Y (Quang Tri) shared her excitement when being guided by fishermen on how to cast nets, set traps, remove fish and how to distinguish aquatic species, brackish water fish in Hue that not every locality has. The experiential activities are integrated, linked with green criteria, environmental protection, helping Nhu Y understand that green tourism can start from very small actions.

Identifying the practice of reducing plastic through 6T as a key solution, businesses and service establishments at the plastic reduction tourist destination of Ngu My Thanh - Con Toc (Quang Loi commune) are gradually changing their plastic usage habits to serve tourists with environmentally friendly utensils such as bamboo trays, bamboo baskets, banana leaves... which are the strengths of the locality.

Tourists are encouraged to bring cloth bags and personal items when traveling or using services in Phu An commune, Phu Vang district, Hue city.

Currently, Quang Loi commune has coordinated with travel companies to build a "Say no to plastic waste" tour, install 2 free water dispensers, classify trash bins and support accommodation establishments to replace plastic items with recycled, environmentally friendly products. Notably, Ngu My Thanh Community Tourism Cooperative with 33 member households has pioneered in signing a commitment to reduce plastic, along with 7 large restaurants in the area. This is a step showing the consensus and initiative of the people themselves in the effort to build a green, clean and beautiful destination.

Hue College of Tourism also cooperates with travel agencies to organize experiential tours in Ngu My Thanh - Con Toc. Many students of the school participate in the journey, which not only helps them connect with reality, raise awareness of sustainable green tourism, but also provides an opportunity for future tourism workers to be inspired to create new products and demonstrate their role as tourism ambassadors, spreading the message of green tourism to the community and tourists.

Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism Hoang Phuoc Nhat said that the "Plastic-reducing eco-tourism" models in Dam Chuon, Ngu My Thanh - Con Toc are proof of the transition from slogans to practical actions. The synchronous participation of the government, businesses and people in communes along the lagoon such as Phu An and Quang Loi shows a new and hopeful direction for Hue tourism to develop in association with conservation. This is an effort to preserve natural beauty, protect public health, improve service quality and aim for the image of a sustainable and responsible destination. The Hue Tourism Department continues to support destination promotion, attract responsible tourists, expand the model of environmentally friendly homestay and improve service quality through training, communication and international cooperation.

From small actions such as using cloth bags and glass bottles throughout the travel experience, Hue city is getting closer to completing the transformation journey to become a sustainable, humane and memorable destination in the hearts of tourists everywhere.

According to VNA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/hue-va-hanh-trinh-danh-thuc-tiem-nang-du-lich-xanh-dam-pha-a423348.html