Green Nha Trang: Measuring visitors' green experiences instead of counting guests

Author Nguyen Lam Tram Anh (law lecturer, Saigon University - SGU) proposed a roadmap for Nha Trang to position itself as a leading green tourism city, contributing to Vietnam's goal of achieving zero net emissions by 2050.

Nha Trang is positioned as a leading green tourism city, contributing to Vietnam's goal of achieving zero net emissions by 2050 - Photo: Fly Vietnam Paragliding

The workshop "To make Khanh Hoa a comprehensive green destination of the world " is the right time for Nha Trang to enter a real green transformation, measurable and visible with results.

Roadmap to turning vision into action

To go fast and right, first of all, we must name the target correctly. "Green destination" is a broad concept, easily spread out if not clearly defined. With the advantage of being a tourist city, Nha Trang should choose the priority direction of being a leading green tourist city - a specific sub-layer in the green urban picture - to concentrate resources, creating replicable models.

Khanh Hoa has many green destinations, especially when the tourism space has expanded since the merger with Ninh Thuan - Photo: TTO

To unify the concept, Nha Trang needs to establish a regular policy dialogue mechanism between the government, research and training sectors, the business community and the people.

This dialogue does not stop at academic discussion but must lead to a set of criteria to identify "green tourism destination Nha Trang". The set of criteria must be suitable for Vietnam's conditions, measurable, and have a roadmap for periodic standard improvement.

On the basis of the agreed concept, a systematic review is needed:

Policy and legal framework: What regulations are hindering renewable energy in accommodation establishments; are wastewater and tourism waste treatment standards compatible with the circular economy; what are the mechanisms to limit single-use plastics in tourism services?

Infrastructure - ecosystem: Public transport capacity for tourism; coastal walking and cycling paths; transit stations; wastewater and waste treatment; digital data for passenger flow, monitoring environmental "carrying capacity".

The review results must be crystallized into the Nha Trang green tourism action plan 2025 - 2030: determining annual goals; assigning responsibilities to each leading and coordinating unit; allocating resources and an independent monitoring mechanism.

From here, shift the management focus from counting visitors to measuring the quality of life of residents and the green experience of visitors.

Piloting motor-free streets by time frame

The green urban tourism model for Nha Trang is based on 3 pillars: (1) Green space - infrastructure; (2) Green residents - businesses; (3) Governance - conservation - digital transformation and integration. Each pillar has clear goals, implementation tools and measurements.

Green space - infrastructure, circular economy, clean transportation: By 2030, 100% of accommodation establishments of 3 stars or higher will install solar power or purchase at least 30% green electricity; receive preferential loan support, exemption from appraisal fees for energy saving items, and priority will be given to granting renovation permits with green criteria.

Applying fees based on waste volume, requiring waste classification at source, building a plastic and organic recycling network, with the goal of recycling/recovering at least 60% of solid tourist waste by 2030. Increasing green areas and water surfaces, redesigning parks and coastal walkways according to accessibility standards; forming a green walking axis connecting tourist attractions with peripheral parking lots and shuttle buses.

Phase 2026 - 2030: 100% electrification of inner-city tourist buses, encouragement of electric taxis; piloting motor-free streets according to time frames; charging fees to enter crowded passenger pick-up areas for high-emission vehicles.

Nha Trang is building a roadmap to electrify 100% of inner-city tourist buses and encourage electric taxis - Photo: TTO

Residents, human resources - green living businesses: Bring sustainable tourism, marine ecosystem protection into extracurricular activities; deploy the community communication toolkit "Nha Trang - I am green". Schools open compulsory courses on environmental management, marine biosafety, green service standards; cooperate with businesses to issue green tour guide/green hotel management certificates.

Rank "Green Nha Trang Star" for service establishments, publicize scores on digital maps; tourists use "Green Nha Trang" cards to accumulate points and receive incentives. Support small businesses to change models, reduce single-use plastics, and develop community tourism.

Governance - conservation - digital transformation - integration: Applying carrying capacity thresholds for coral diving sites, islands - bays; establishing a Coral - Seagrass Restoration Fund from ecosystem service fees. Operating a real-time green tourism data dashboard and the "Green Nha Trang" application.

Nha Trang City is accelerating to become a leading green destination - Photo: TTO

Implementation milestone: Within 12 months, complete the set of criteria - indicators, operate data, pilot non-motorized streets, and deploy Green Star (phase 1).

By 2027: 50% clean trips, 50% green base facilities, recycle at least 50% of travel waste, publish carbon footprint reports.

By 2030: meet the standards of a high-end green tourism destination; 100% of 3-star facilities use at least 30% green electricity; recycle/recover 60% of waste; sustainably restore at least 2 marine ecosystems; increase green experience satisfaction index.

At 8:30 a.m. 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 event opened 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...

NGUYEN LAM TRAM ANH - MV

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nha-trang-xanh-do-trai-nghiem-xanh-cua-du-khach-thay-vi-dem-khach-20250910231312134.htm