Brian Jeffrey
Vietnam’s Economic Resurgence
The economic recovery of Vietnam in the first half of 2024 shows promising signs, with a GDP growth of nearly 7% in the second quarter, resulting in a 6.42% growth rate for the first half.
Khanh Hoa province stands out among the localities that have experienced a remarkable revival after enduring challenges due to the pandemic. The region’s ability to adapt to green initiatives has led to significant growth and innovation.
VietNamNet’s series “Khanh Hoa Reinvents Growth Drivers” captures the transformative journey of this province.
Part 1: Green Growth and Innovation Fuel Khanh Hoa’s Economic Turnaround
Part 2: High-tech Aquaculture: A Lucrative Industry for Khanh Hoa Fishermen
Part 3: Revamping Khanh Hoa with Sea Grapes for Sustainability
Phan Gia Xanh Garden in Dien Dong Commune, Khanh Hoa Province proudly features a sign proclaiming its commitment to environmental protection through the utilization of Green Energy. The installation of a solar power system in April 2023 has effectively reduced 36 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Owner Vo Ngoc Han highlights that the solar system powers the entire facility, reducing dependency on the national grid.
The vision for the garden by Han and his wife encompassed a multi-service establishment incorporating a restaurant, café, eco-tourism zone, and farming, all operating with a zero-emission, green approach.
Prior to 2020, the land lay unused, serving solely for local vegetable cultivation. During the pandemic, Han and his wife transformed the neglected area into an eco-tourism spot to provide a natural sanctuary for visitors. Every section was meticulously developed to create a verdant tourist destination.
“Our operations are circular. Organic waste is composted to fertilize crops, and produce is used in dishes for visitors,” Han elaborates.
The garden draws approximately 1,500 visitors monthly, with student groups frequently visiting post-Lunar New Year for hands-on farming experiences. All utilized materials are eco-friendly, ensuring minimal plastic waste.
The name “Phan Gia Xanh Garden” embodies the site’s green ethos, with “Xanh” representing Khanh Hoa’s azure sea, green agriculture, and a vow of zero greenhouse gas emissions.
While acknowledging the challenges and costs associated with this eco-tourism model, Han remains dedicated to promoting the green movement and supporting local farmers.
Besides Phan Gia Xanh, numerous other tourism ventures in Khanh Hoa are embracing eco-friendly practices.
On Hoa Lan Island in Ninh Phu Commune, visitors relish a pristine environment devoid of plastic waste, curated by Long Phu Tourism Joint Stock Company Director Tran Minh Duc as an eco-tourism hub in harmony with nature.
Duc emphasizes the significance of eco-tourism in preserving natural elements and environmental conservation. By leveraging the island’s natural features, activities are tailored for guests to explore mangrove forests and learn about indigenous flora and fauna.
Duc gives examples: pathways lead tourists to paddle through the mangrove forest, with each tree tagged with a QR code for informative scans. A designated area within the forest offers shrimp, crab, and fish catching, goose racing, and bird performances.
Plastic bags and bottles have long been banned on Hoa Lan Island. Convincing guests to adhere to this rule initially posed challenges, but the island’s clean, affordable services gradually resolved the issue.
Duc celebrates the increasing visitor influx attracted by this eco-tourism model, with daily averages of 800-1,000 guests indulging in a variety of services and overnight stays.
Khanh Hoa is renowned in Vietnam for its marine and island tourism, welcoming 7.2 million tourists in 2023, a 181.6% rise from 2022, with revenue surpassing 33 trillion VND ($1.3 billion), up by 142.8%.
In the first half of 2024, overnight tourists numbered nearly 5.2 million, an 88% increase year-on-year, with revenue estimated at 26.072 trillion VND ($1.1 billion), up by 97%.
To restore pre-pandemic growth rates, Khanh Hoa’s Tourism Department Director Nguyen Thi Le Thanh underscores increased promotional activities domestically and internationally. Events like the 2024 Nha Trang Sea Tourism Festival and the 2024 Nha Trang International Light Festival have successfully drawn large crowds.
Sustainable development challenges include natural resource management, environmental conservation, and enhancing eco-friendly tourism product quality.
Thanh stresses the necessity for green practices in Khanh Hoa’s tourism sector to ensure sustainable development. This involves advocating responsible tourism, sustainable investments, green technologies, waste management, recycling, and reducing non-recyclable materials.
In April, a forum on “Green and Sustainable Tourism Development” held in Khanh Hoa sought practical strategies for eco-friendlier tourism. The province advocates community-level eco-tourism, involving locals in conservation efforts for sustainable livelihoods while actively preserving ecological values.
Thanh highlights the importance of conducting thorough environmental impact assessments and training top-tier tourism professionals to meet the demands of an innovative, sustainable tourism landscape.
Boosting awareness among tourists and the community regarding environmental protection remains critical. Simple acts like refraining from littering and partaking in cleanup initiatives significantly contribute to environmental preservation and green tourism promotion.
