Khanh Hoa: Developing green tourism in the true sense so that development does not conflict with conservation

Khánh Hòa: Phát triển du lịch xanh đúng nghĩa để phát triển không mâu thuẫn với bảo tồn - Ảnh 1. — Mr. Chu Van An - Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Province Department of Construction - Photo: QUANG DINH

At the workshop "To make Khanh Hoa a comprehensive green destination" on the afternoon of September 11 in Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa province), traffic and planning experts all said that Khanh Hoa is aiming for the goal of covering green traffic infrastructure and green buildings.

Regarding the development of green transport infrastructure in Khanh Hoa, Mr. Chu Van An - Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Construction - said that in terms of green infrastructure, Khanh Hoa province closely follows the province's approved green growth project, with the goal of Khanh Hoa becoming a centrally-run city by 2030.

The green transport system includes 9 indicators, focusing on increasing the number of vehicles, developing charging infrastructure, increasing road density, non-motorized roads and the rate of public passenger transport.

According to Mr. An, Khanh Hoa is one of the leading localities in green transport conversion, in which by the end of 2024, 2 bus routes using 13 electric vehicles were put into operation, increasing the ratio of green energy buses/total number of vehicles in circulation to 11% and exceeding the set target.

"The spirit from 2025 onwards, when new investment is electric bus investment and investors are also implementing" - Mr. An said.

In addition, to realize the goal of green traffic coverage, Mr. An said that currently the province has developed 42 electric charging locations and is continuing to develop charging station locations.

However, according to him, the implementation of green growth projects is currently facing many difficulties such as: investment efficiency for green growth is not high while there is no support mechanism for businesses, the provincial budget is difficult to balance; the connection of wastewater treatment stations is not synchronous.

Need to preserve identity and protect the environment in construction planning

Khánh Hòa: Phát triển du lịch xanh đúng nghĩa để phát triển không mâu thuẫn với bảo tồn - Ảnh 3. — Master, Architect Tran Duc Phi - Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, Vice President of Khanh Hoa Architects Association - Photo: QUANG DINH

Master Architect Tran Duc Phi - member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, Vice President of the Khanh Hoa Architects Association - said that from the perspective of Khanh Hoa urban planning, it is necessary to pay attention to the story of identity and environment.

Due to the rapid urbanization process, we need to pay attention to the planning foundation, so that planning work can minimize the impact on the environment.

In order to maintain identity in construction planning, Mr. Phi suggested that it is necessary to consult with experts, scientists and the community, and apply technologies related to digital planning so that anyone can access and learn about planning, and then be able to reflect.

In addition, there needs to be specific urban designs to ensure construction density, height, and harmony in building colors, aiming for green credits for buildings when built in Khanh Hoa.

From Nha Trang coral reef to marine spatial planning

Khánh Hòa - Ảnh 3. — Dr. Vo Si Tuan - former director of the Institute of Oceanography - Photo: QUANG DINH

Dr. Vo Si Tuan, former Director of the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, said that if we want green development, we must be green together, that is, synchronous.

He shared about how to "exploit" coral reef tourism within about 30km near the shore. He said that this is a huge potential, different from many other places in the world.

Countries with similar coral reefs like Vietnam have reaped many achievements while still preserving the marine environment.

Dr. Vo Si Tuan emphasized that the human impact through tourism is currently very worrying.

"If there is an environmental incident at sea, it will be more difficult for coral reefs to recover because of emissions from tourism as usual as today. Con Dao had an incident that affected corals but recovered well because the environmental impact was not as great as Khanh Hoa," he said.

Looking from the coral reef section, Dr. Vo Si Tuan affirmed that only by developing green tourism and true eco-tourism can we develop without causing conflicts with conservation, without having much impact on the environment, and without harming sustainable economic development.

Dr. Tuan added that it is necessary to plan marine spaces: aquaculture exploitation areas, offshore wind power, experiential tourism areas in the sea and island spaces... When there is a planning zone, there will be appropriate protection plans.

Experience in developing sustainable tourism from luxury resorts

Phát triển du lịch xanh đúng nghĩa để phát triển mà không mâu thuẫn với bảo tồn - Ảnh 1. — Ms. Dinh Thuy Nga - Deputy Director of Sustainable Development of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay presented a paper on Experience in building and developing green tourism areas and sustainable development - Photo: QUANG DINH

Ms. Dinh Thuy Nga - Deputy Director of Sustainable Development of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay - believes that the uniqueness of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay comes from health care and sustainable development.

According to Ms. Nga, to make the resort "green", the villas in the resort are all made of wood and bamboo to ensure environmental friendliness and health, the resort is also gradually changing to using non-plastic items.

In addition, the resort has also partially restored the coral reefs in the Hon Heo sea area.

According to Ms. Nga, by 2022, the resort will have achieved 28% solar coverage combined with a heat pump system, providing tens of thousands of reusable glass bottles each month.

The resort has a sustainable development department to operate the system in the "greenest" way, utilizing leftover fabrics to recycle into economical, environmentally friendly products. In addition, the resort reviews waste data every month.

From 8am to 8pm on September 11, at the park area in front of Muong Thanh Luxury Khanh Hoa Hotel (Con residential area, Nha Trang ward), the Green Experience Festival will take place for all residents and tourists.

The festival has booths introducing and experiencing green products, local specialty gifts; areas displaying and experiencing green technology such as: electric vehicles, lighting, solar energy...; workshops instructing how to make toys from recycled waste...

At the event, there is a program "Exchange recycled waste to receive green gifts". Bring to the program 5 "recycled waste" items such as: plastic bottles/metal cans/old batteries/milk cartons/cardboard... you will receive 1 pot of succulent.

Participants (free) can also participate in the lucky draw with the special prize of a VinFast Evo Grand electric motorbike worth 21 million VND and many valuable gifts such as: Cocoon vegan cosmetics, Dutch Lady milk, Green SM voucher, free La Viet coffee...