In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the leisure preferences and travel habits of a significant number of tourists have undergone a positive shift towards sustainable travel. Consequently, numerous hotels and resorts committed to sustainable tourism development have emerged globally, including in Vietnam. Here are 7 sustainable travel accommodations in Vietnam that have earned certifications for their efforts in promoting social, cultural, and environmental causes.
1. Laguna Lăng Cô
Nestled amidst the pristine waters of the East Sea and the majestic Truong Son mountain range, the paradise of Laguna Lăng Cô boasts an exceptional location with a crescent-shaped coastline. The collection of villas in the Laguna Hue tourism area draws inspiration from the artistic legacy of ancient Vietnamese dynasties. The resort comprises a total of 32 private villas exuding a sense of privacy, with positions overlooking the canal, and another 17 villas with a sea view. The three main hotel systems are Bayan Tree Lăng Cô, Angsana Lăng Cô, and Laguna Park Townhouses.
Laguna Lăng Cô. Image: Collected
Since 2013, Laguna Lăng Cô has been a proud member of EarthCheck, a globally renowned organization for scientific assessment, certification, and consultancy in sustainable tourism and travel development. Committed to the strictest environmental practices and corporate social responsibility, Laguna Lăng Cô was awarded the Silver EarthCheck Certification for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018, and in 2019 and 2020, it achieved the Gold Certification.
Laguna receives Certification from EarthCheck. Image: Collected
Throughout its operations, the entire resort system consistently endeavors to minimize and eliminate the use of single-use plastic items, directly addressing the environmental and marine life hazards posed by plastic. Additionally, according to EarthCheck calculations based on the annual headcount, Laguna Lăng Cô has shown significant improvements in energy and water conservation, as well as greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Laguna has encouraged its staff to enhance electricity conservation, adjust the timing and duration of electric devices, gradually replace energy-consuming equipment, and intensify the recycling of surplus food and organic waste to produce organic fertilizer and animal feed on organic farms.
Laguna's Environmentally Friendly Products. Image: Collected
2. Caravelle Saigon
Caravelle Saigon Hotel, a leading 5-star international standard hotel, is situated in the bustling central district of Saigon. Opening its doors on Christmas Eve in 1959, Caravelle was once the residence of numerous international press corps during the Vietnam War, a period when Saigon was the focal point of Western media attention on Vietnam. Today, Caravelle Saigon Hotel, with its distinctive services, still holds a special place in the heart of the city with a blend of French and Vietnamese architecture, along with an elegant and modern neutral color scheme.
Caravelle Saigon Hotel. Image: Collected
Spectacular Interior Views of the Hotel. Image: Collected
Caravelle Saigon became the first hotel in Vietnam to achieve the Gold Certification from EarthCheck in 2015, a result of outstanding efforts in resource conservation and recycling, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects engaging community interest in preserving green and clean living spaces. To maintain this accolade since 2015, Caravelle Saigon undergoes an annual evaluation based on EarthCheck-developed indices, including Greenhouse Gas Emissions Index, Energy Consumption, Water Consumption, and community contribution rankings. Notably, Caravelle provides a completely smoke-free environment in all hotel rooms and apartments.
Caravelle Saigon has achieved multiple environmental certifications. Image: Collected
3. Avani Quy Nhơn
Located in the charming coastal city of Quy Nhơn, hidden amidst a beach adorned with swaying palm trees and tropical mountains covered in lush greenery, Avani Quy Nhơn Resort & Spa offers a tranquil retreat with open spaces and gentle hues. The architecture of Avani Quy Nhơn Resort follows a pure Vietnamese style, with thatched roofs, wooden columns, and warm, inviting tones, creating a comfortable ambiance for travelers. Each balcony is adorned with bamboo furniture and a swing, allowing guests to indulge in the fantastic seaside atmosphere.
Avani Quy Nhơn Resort & Spa. Image: Collected
Peaceful retreat. Image: Collected
Avani Quy Nhơn Resort is also among the few resorts in Vietnam certified by Green Growth 2050 (Global Standards for Green Growth 2050), developed to meet the needs of tourism businesses seeking current solutions for promoting changes in society, culture, and the environment. To date, Avani Quy Nhơn Resort continues to implement stringent sustainability programs in Vietnam.
Avani Quy Nhơn Resort is certified by Green Growth 2050. Image: Collected
4. Avani Hai Phong Harbour View
For hotel business activities in Hai Phong, Avani Harbour View stands out as a long-established 4-star hotel with international standards. It ranks high for quality service and is highly praised by customers. The hotel features a harmonious blend of French colonial architecture and international style, offering 122 luxurious rooms equipped with premium amenities and a city or pool view.
Avani Hai Phong Harbour View. Image: Collected
Avani Harbour View hotel achieves the Gold Certification from Green Growth 2050 by implementing various environmental protection measures in hotel operations and achieving specific successes. The hotel utilizes high-efficiency, long-life lighting devices with low energy consumption. It pays attention to wastewater treatment when discharging into the city's sewer system. Waste sorting is also emphasized, categorizing waste into inorganic and organic waste with the potential for recycling. Notably, twice a year, the hotel conducts training sessions on environmental protection awareness for all hotel staff.
Avani Harbour View achieves the Gold Certification from Green Growth 2050. Image: Collected
5. Anantara Mũi Né Resort & Spa
Anantara Mũi Né Resort & Spa features an open space with a luxurious and classy 5-star resort surrounded by greenery, straight coconut trees along the long, pristine beach. All rooms here are predominantly designed with teak wood, filled with natural light and offering views of the garden or sea, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful holiday away from the city's hustle and bustle.
Anantara Mũi Né Resort & Spa. Image: Collected
Anantara has repeatedly won first place in the tropical building category with green-oriented designs, using environmentally friendly construction materials, significantly contributing to energy savings and the country's green economic development. The buildings of Anantara Mũi Né Resort & Spa all use energy-efficient LED lights along with an entire hot water system powered by solar energy – the optimal clean energy solution that does not cause environmental pollution and has an immensely renewable capacity, suitable for tropical climate conditions.
Anantara has repeatedly won first place in the tropical building category with green-oriented designs. Image: Collected
In addition, Anantara Mũi Né Resort & Spa is one of the first resorts in Vietnam to achieve the Gold Certification from Green Growth 2050, actively contributing to environmental, social, and cultural conservation projects.
6. Anantara Hội An Resort
In addition to Anantara Mũi Né Resort & Spa, Anantara Hội An Resort also proudly received the Gold Certification from Green Growth, adhering to the strictest environmental standards, striving to contribute and dedicate to the community in Vietnam.
Anantara Hội An Resort. Image: Collected
Anantara Hội An boasts an ideal and strategic location, facing the gentle Thu Bồn River, just under 1 km from the ancient town of Hội An. The resort reflects the rich culture of Hội An, influenced by French, Dutch, Chinese, and Japanese architecture, with a total of 193 luxurious and beautiful rooms. The uniquely designed rooms offer romantic views of the river or garden. All rooms feature a white color scheme, with marble floors and orange-toned light fixtures, creating a cozy and comfortable home-like atmosphere.
The resort vividly reflects the cultural essence of Hội An. Image: Collected
Refreshing green space. Image: Collected
7. Six Sense Côn Đảo
Six Senses Côn Đảo stands out as the brightest representative in the list of sustainable travel destinations in Vietnam. The positive values in environmental conservation at Six Senses Côn Đảo have been recognized by National Geographic Traveller magazine for several years, earning it a reputation as one of the best eco-friendly resorts in the world.
Six Senses Côn Đảo. Image: Collected
Six Senses Côn Đảo is the first 5-star resort in Côn Đảo. With the goal of using sustainably sourced natural materials, Six Senses Côn Đảo constructs 50 sea-facing villas made from wood and environmentally friendly materials, along with large windows to maximize natural light and harness natural energy sources. Additionally, each villa at Six Senses Côn Đảo is equipped with a solar energy system for electricity savings.
Six Senses utilizes eco-friendly materials. Image: Collected
Six Senses Côn Đảo has also installed a system for treating and producing various beverages for guests and staff according to special standards, packaged in recycled glass bottles. Moreover, the use of lemongrass straws grown in the resort's organic garden replaces plastic straws. Every month, Six Senses Côn Đảo organizes a 'Beach Cleanup' activity, inviting local residents, staff, and guests to join hands in protecting the environment and cleaning the beaches around the 16 islands of the Côn Sơn archipelago.
Six Senses Côn Đảo's proactive efforts in marine environmental protection. Image: Collected
Opting for sustainable tourism doesn't necessarily mean spending more. A sustainable-oriented resort is sure to provide you with amazing experiences, allowing you to explore new territories while contributing to nature conservation and preserving cultural and traditional values.