Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Vu The Binh - Chairman of VITA, emphasized that plastic waste is emerging as a major challenge for the world in general and Vietnam in particular. Environmental and waste issues have a major impact on socio-economic development, including tourism.

Workshop on Action Plan to reduce plastic waste in tourism sector took place on August 6, in Hanoi. (Source: VietnamTravel)

According to Mr. Vu The Binh, tourism is considered a sector seriously affected by plastic waste pollution, but at the same time is also a significant source of plastic waste.

In recent years, tourism has been a key industry that has made a significant contribution to Vietnam's socio-economic development. However, along with this development, tourism activities have also contributed to increasing the amount of waste released into the environment, especially plastic waste, and are also affected by many impacts of plastic waste.

Currently, there are legal policies related to plastic waste management. According to the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and Decree 08/2022/ND-CP, from 2025, 100% of tourist areas, accommodation establishments and hotels will not be allowed to use non-degradable plastic bags and single-use plastic products.

However, the legal system on plastic waste management is still incomplete. Specifically, tourism industry policies do not clearly and specifically mention plastic waste management; there is no action plan for the tourism industry on reducing plastic waste; there is no coordination regulation between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on environmental protection in general and plastic waste management in particular.

Recognizing the urgent need for environmental protection to ensure the country's sustainable development, VITA has proactively and resolutely implemented the goal of reducing plastic waste in the tourism sector.

Since 2018, VITA has launched the movement "Vietnam Tourism - Joining hands to reduce plastic waste," which has been actively responded to by tourism businesses nationwide. Many businesses and localities have achieved outstanding results in reducing plastic waste.

Based on VITA's proposal, the project "Reducing plastic waste in Vietnam's tourism sector" has been approved by the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Development Programme's Small Grants Program (UNDP/GEF-SGP) for implementation in the 2023-2024 period.

VITA aims that by 2025, 100% of its member units will be raised about the harmful effects of plastic waste and the importance of reducing plastic waste.

At the same time, 50% of members in tourist areas and hotels will stop using non-degradable plastic bags and single-use plastic products. By 2030, 100% of members will not use non-degradable plastic bags and single-use plastic products.

At the workshop, Mr. Ha Van Sieu - Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism highly appreciated the spread of the Project "Reducing plastic waste in Vietnam's tourism sector", implemented by VITA, with funding from UNDP in the period 2023-2024.

Mr. Ha Van Sieu affirmed: “The project team has developed a draft Action Plan to reduce plastic waste in the tourism sector in a scientific, specific and practical manner, in line with the development requirements of the tourism industry after a long period of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The plan also meets the travel trends of tourists, especially the orientation of developing green, sustainable and responsible tourism."

Tourists and rangers of Con Dao National Park collect plastic waste from the ocean that drifts to Hon Bay Canh. (Source: baobariavungtau)

On this occasion, VITA received many comments on the draft Action Plan. These comments will be used to complete the plan, ensuring practicality and feasibility for implementation activities.

VITA Chairman Vu The Binh said that VITA will complete and issue this Plan in August for rapid deployment to local associations and more than 20,000 members.

VITA hopes that through the project's activities, it can convey a strong message, calling for the efforts and cooperation of people, businesses, communities and tourists for the goal: Plastic waste-free tourism in Vietnam.