According to a report by Asia News Network, as visitor numbers climb and beaches, bays and heritage sites draw ever larger crowds, rapid tourism growth is placing mounting pressure on the environment, particularly through single-use plastic waste, according to a recent study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In Việt Nam, around 70,000 tonnes of household waste are discharged into the environment each day, while per capita plastic consumption stands at 81kg per year.
UNDP experts warn that without effective environmental management measures, especially to tackle plastic pollution, the core values underpinning Việt Nam’s tourism appeal risk being eroded.
Deputy Director General of the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Hà Văn Siêu said that while the country’s tourism sector had expanded strongly in recent years, it also faced significant challenges.
Single-use plastic waste had become a pressing issue at many destinations and tourism service establishments. Plastic products and packaging undermined destination image, competitiveness and tourism-related livelihoods.
“Plastic pollution not only affects landscapes, ecosystems and biodiversity, but also directly impacts destination quality, visitor experience and the long-term competitiveness of Việt Nam’s tourism,” said Siêu.
At a recent consultation workshop assessing plastic pollution in Việt Nam’s tourism sector, deputy head of the VNAT accommodation division Nguyễn Thanh Bình noted that, on average, overnight guests would generate about 1.2kg of waste per day, while day visitors would generate 0.5kg per day, much of it plastic bottles.
She added that promoting green tourism in Việt Nam presented multiple challenges, as changes to operational processes and internal regulations would require time.
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