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Through academic discussions, field-based research, and community-driven initiatives, this article highlights selected scholarly and practical contributions from Vietnam in advancing sustainable and responsible tourism across the region.
Responsible Tourism in a New Era of Transformation
At the 5th Annual International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH 2025), held in June this year in the Philippines alongside the 2025 Southeast Asia Responsible Tourism Awards, Vietnamese delegates made a notable impression. Through academic research, community-based models, and cultural preservation initiatives, Vietnam not only contributed critical insights to key industry forums but was also recognized in several award categories.
The Sen Charaih Cultural and Ecotourism Village (Vietnam) received the Gold Award in the category “Can an inclusive model also be responsible?” at the Southeast Asia Responsible Tourism Awards. This model was highly acclaimed for its harmonious integration of local economic development, indigenous cultural preservation, and strengthened community participation. The award was received by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Quang Dai Tuyen (Faculty of Tourism, Nguyen Tat Thanh University), who also chaired a scholarly session on the role of cultural heritage in fostering peace and mutual understanding among communities.
Amid the growing impacts of climate change on the tourism sector, the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Ecological Resort (Khanh Hoa, Vietnam) was honored with the Gold Award in the category “Adapting to Climate Change”. The resort stood out for its holistic strategy encompassing the use of renewable energy, plastic waste control, and the integration of ecological conservation into the guest experience. This marks the second consecutive year that Six Senses has been recognized at regional responsible tourism awards.
The project “Hồi Ức” (Reminiscence) by student Nguyen Ha Phuong from Nguyen Chi Thanh High School for the Gifted (Dak Nong) received the One to Watch Award in the category “Peace and Understanding”. Centered on preserving and promoting traditional Vietnamese folk games, the project utilized creative formats such as bilingual comics, community events, and social media campaigns. Despite its modest scale, “Reminiscence” was praised for its accessible approach and its potential to engage younger generations, thereby contributing to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage in a natural and flexible manner.
Two Vietnamese ecotourism models—Ta Lai Ecologde and Sidewan Community Enterprise—were also recognized with One to Watch Awards in the category “Strengthening Local Supply Chains and Creating Shared Value”. Both models emphasized the importance of local products, traditional skills, and community governance in tourism development. Rather than focusing on visitor numbers, these models prioritized immersive experiences and tangible benefits for local residents.
At the academic sessions of ICRTH 2025, a research team led by Mr. Pham Ngoc Hieu (Deputy Director of the Research Institute for Applied Tourism – RIAT) was honored with the Best Paper Award for their study titled “Tourist Revisit Intention for Glamping Tourism in Mang Den Town, Kon Tum Province.”
The study analyzed factors influencing tourists’ intention to return, such as staff interaction quality and the uniqueness of natural experiences, while offering practical recommendations to enhance the long-term value of glamping tourism.
Additionally, a Vietnamese doctoral candidate, Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuong, currently pursuing her studies in Taiwan, and her international co-authors, also received the Best Paper Award. Her recognition further affirms the growing presence and influence of Vietnamese scholars within regional and international research networks.
Academic Responsibility Rooted in Community
In his closing remarks at the ICRTH 2025 Conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Quang Dai Tuyen—Head of the Vietnamese delegation of researchers—shared heartfelt reflections on the group’s academic journey over the past year. He emphasized that the delegation’s scholarly activities were never detached from real-life contexts; rather, they originated from the genuine needs and lived experiences of local communities, particularly in remote areas and ethnic minority regions across Central and Southern Vietnam.
He explained that in the months leading up to the conference, the delegation’s postgraduate researchers had conducted on-the-ground fieldwork in many hard-to-reach destinations. These efforts focused on improving local livelihoods, revitalizing tourism products, and enhancing stakeholder collaboration. Despite returning from the field with only a few days to resume teaching duties, care for their families, and prepare their conference presentations, the team members remained fully engaged and proactive participants in the ICRTH 2025 program.
Dr. Tuyen posed a simple yet profound question: Why are they still willing to attend ICRTH, even when they are busy and exhausted?. His answer lay not only in the exchange of knowledge , but in the value of connection—a space where young people can learn, find inspiration, and develop themselves in sustainable ways. He referred to this as “responsible education”, which he regards as a crucial pathway toward building a high-quality workforce for the tourism industry.
In closing, he expressed deep gratitude to the organizers and reaffirmed Vietnam’s long-term commitment to advancing responsible tourism and responsible education—where knowledge is not merely transmitted but is rooted in practice and ultimately returned to serve the communities from which it emerged.
Vietnam’s Presence in International Tourism Forums
Vietnam’s presence at ICRTH 2025 and the Southeast Asia Responsible Tourism Awards this year was not only symbolic but also substantive, showcasing significant progress in academic excellence, organizational capacity, and community engagement. From panel discussions and research papers to applied models, Vietnam actively and deeply contributed to the core themes of the conference.
Reflecting on Vietnam’s participation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arzyana Sunkar (Indonesia) shared: “This year, Vietnam truly reaped a rich harvest of awards. From hosting and chairing to receiving honors, the Vietnamese delegation made a strong and memorable impression on international peers.”
Indeed, the awards achieved by the Vietnamese delegation—from inclusive tourism and climate adaptation models, local supply chain enhancement, to student-led projects and Best Paper Award-winning research—are the outcome of consistent, dedicated work over many years. Notably, the active participation of young scholars, educators, and local communities has contributed to a comprehensive and grounded portrayal of responsible tourism.
In the journey toward collaborative and sustainable tourism development in Asia, Vietnam is increasingly recognized not only as a destination of great potential, but also as a reliable academic partner, a source of real-world inspiration, and a bridge between global knowledge and local values. This serves as a critical foundation for Vietnam to further expand international cooperation, enhance its national standing, and contribute to the development of a harmonious tourism model—one that balances people, culture, and the environment in the years to come.
