Vietnamese travelers are leading in sustainable travel motivations, with 29% prioritizing environmental impact reduction, according to Agoda. Concerns about plastic waste and marine conservation are growing, and key destinations are adopting clean-up initiatives. Moreover, 28% focus on ensuring tourism benefits local communities, reflecting a broader trend towards community-based tourism.
Vietnamese travelers are leading the region in prioritizing environmentally responsible travel, with 29% identifying the reduction of environmental impact and carbon emissions as their top motivation, the highest rate among surveyed markets, according to online travel platform Agoda.
Interest in environmental protection has been steadily rising in Vietnam in recent years, particularly around issues such as plastic waste, marine conservation, and climate resilience in key coastal destinations.
Popular destinations including Phu Quoc, Ha Long, and Da Nang have introduced clean-up campaigns and sustainability initiatives to enhance their appeal among international visitors.
Across Asia, Taiwanese travelers ranked second, with 23% prioritizing sustainable travel, followed by travelers from Thailand and South Korea, based on Agoda’s February survey of 1,036 respondents across eight markets.
Beyond environmental concerns, Vietnamese travelers also demonstrate strong awareness of tourism’s social and economic impact. More than a quarter (28%) say ensuring tourism spending benefits local communities is a key priority, while 45% believe supporting local businesses is the most meaningful contribution tourism can make when managed responsibly.
This mindset aligns with broader trends in Vietnam’s tourism sector, where community-based tourism continues to gain momentum across various destinations.
Notably, five Vietnamese villages have been recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as among the “Best Tourism Villages in the World,” including Tan Hoa (Quang Tri), Thai Hai (Thai Nguyen), Tra Que (Da Nang), Lo Lo Chai (Tuyen Quang), and Quynh Son (Lang Son).
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 