The Project “Sustainable Tourism Development” (ST4SD) is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by consortium of Center for Rural Economy Development (CRED), Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, EHL Hospitality Business School (formerly known as École hôtelière de Lausanne) and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) from Apr. 2023 to 2027 to support Vietnam’s tourism sector becomes more sustainable and inclusive.

On June 26, in Ha Long, the project cooperated with Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) to organize a consultation meeting for the development ST4SD Project Document. The meeting was chaired by VNAT, with the participation of representatives of SECO, more than 50 experts and researchers from state management agencies under the VNAT, the Tourism Development Fund, Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism from provinces of Quang Nam, Dong Thap, Can Tho, Ha Giang, Thua Thien – Hue; from research and universities such as: Institute of Tourism Development Research, Faculty of Tourism from Universities of Business Administration, Social Sciences and Humanities, Culture…; Representative of Vietnam Tourism Association and Tourism Association from provinces/cities.

Experts and Researcher at the consultation meeting to develop ST4SD project documents

Mr. Do Quang Huy – representative of SECO, Embassy of Switzerland in Vietnam: “For Vietnam, up to time, sustainable tourism development is no longer a choice but a unavoidability. We also hope that, we will make a Vietnam tourism industry that develops in which each visitor, each partner gives inspires and makes motivations to conserve nature, environmental protection. And the leaving footprints is not carbon footprints, they are footprints of lessons and solutions related to nature conservation, indigenous cultural and social factors.”

Mr. Do Quang Huy, Representative of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

“We find that the coordination in depth between the parties and stakeholders is extremely important. We hope that experts will give advises to local tourism to promote its potential in resources and people; meet the development needs of the localities, bring benefits to both social and people, towards sustainable development“, said Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy General Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism at the meeting

Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy General Director of VNAT

According to experts, Switzerland is the country that occupying the 1st position in the global tourism competitiveness table in continuous years. The implementation of the ST4SD project will help transfer Swiss experiences to help Vietnam realize the goal of sustainable tourism development.

Based on the comments and opinions in meeting, ST4SD project continue with VNAT to finalize Project Document, which is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Culture,  Sports and Tourism for approval at the 2023 July.