Ben Tre a New Dawn – Striving for Sustainable Tourism

In the Mekong Delta, a new form of tourism is taking shape with more emphasis on sustainability. It is focusing primarily on Vietnamese tourists. This approach transcends the traditional concept of merely visiting a new place and encourages integration with local culture and the environment.

Leading the charge in sustainable tourism transformation is Ben Tre, affectionately known as the “Land of Coconut Trees.” Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the daily lives of the locals while helping to reduce emissions for both the community and themselves.

Green Passport to Eco-Tourism

Participants in this tour receive a unique ‘passport’ – a detailed record of their experiences and activities at the destination. According to Mr. Võ Văn Phong, CEO of C2T, Ben Tre, “This passport serves two purposes: as a memento of the trip and as a tool to track their carbon emissions. Visitors meticulously document every activity, from driving to Ben Tre and enjoying local shrimp dishes to water consumption, fruit picking, and listening to traditional music.”

The goal of this passport goes beyond mere documentation; it aims to educate tourists about the environmental impacts of their actions. For instance, when enjoying a large shrimp, they are encouraged to release a small shrimp or a significant number of shrimp eggs back into the environment to maintain ecological balance.

Each entry in the passport reflects the holder’s support for local farmers, such as buying local products like coconut candy, and their contributions to the environment, like planting mangrove trees. This not only deepens their understanding of local culture but also instills a sense of responsibility for sustainability.

Sustainable tourism can be achieved through purchasing local products like coconut candy which have a relatively low carbon footprint due to traditional production methods. This contributes towards creating jobs and strengthening the economy by supporting local producers.

The passport also raises awareness about buying directly from these sources rather than supermarkets in cities where transportation adds significantly higher levels of emissions due to air conditioning.

Tourists can also record the amount of CO2 they emit during their trip and explore ways to offset it through activities like planting mangrove trees or purchasing local agricultural and craft products.

Planting Trees for the Future

One of the main activities encouraged in this sustainable tourism model is tree planting. Visitors are encouraged to buy organic fertilizer made from coconut shells for growing trees at home or purchase coconut leaves and flowers as gifts while investing in coconut trees that absorb approximately 150 kg CO2 per year.

By doing so, farmers can continue cultivating them ensuring their existence remains sustained over time. With such initiatives put into place it becomes possible for visitors to make responsible choices when traveling without compromising on quality or convenience.

The price of a coconut tree varies depending on its age and fruit yield, with mature trees costing more due to higher productivity. For example, a five-year-old coconut tree that produces about ten fruits can significantly offset a tourist’s carbon emissions from their trip. Tourists can pay VND 1.5 million per year to “grow” a 30-year-old coconut tree and receive up to 150 coconuts delivered to their home by C2T. If they do not want the coconuts, C2T commits to buying them back but at VND 1 million.

Mangrove trees such as cork, renowned for their environmental benefits, are another crucial element of this initiative. In the Mekong Delta, where salinity intrusion, soil erosion, and flooding are major issues, planting mangroves is vital. These trees help prevent erosion and support the ecosystem. A cork tree planted for five to seven years can absorb about 9 kg of CO2 annually. Visitors are encouraged to plant multiple trees to offset their carbon emissions, fostering a sense of community responsibility and environmental protection.

This initiative also educates visitors about the broader impacts of their carbon emissions. On average, a Vietnamese person emits about 3 tons of CO2 per year. Through activities like tree planting and supporting local agriculture, tourists can significantly reduce their carbon footprint.

The rise of conscious travelers has led to a growing demand for authentic and responsible tourism experiences. Modern day explorers seek destinations that offer more than just leisure time – they want opportunities to connect with nature or local cultures in meaningful ways through activities like eco-tourism, cultural immersion or volunteer work abroad programs.

This shift towards mindfulness is reflected by the increasing popularity of these alternative forms of traveling as people become aware about their impact on the environment while enjoying themselves at the same time.

Ben Tre’s approach to sustainable tourism using C2T’s “net zero” goal demonstrates how both service providers and consumers can share responsibility for protecting our planet from harm caused by irresponsible practices within this industry.

The promotion of sustainable tourism has become a priority for governments and international bodies who are implementing policies aimed at protecting natural resources. These measures include incentives for green investment as well as certifications that recognize eco friendly practices within the travel industry itself which is increasingly adopting such standards and practices like waste reduction programs by hotels or fuel efficient aircrafts used by airlines.

However despite these positive trends there remain significant challenges ahead when it comes to transitioning towards more responsible forms of tourism.

Mr. Võ Văn Phong notes that this particular model primarily appeals to affluent tourists who are both well educated and socially conscious about making a positive impact in the local area. By combining enjoyable activities with meaningful contributions towards environmental conservation as well as economic growth within communities, visitors experience lasting satisfaction through their participation in such forms of travel experiences which create long-lasting emotional connections between them and these destinations.

“In essence,” he continued, “this sustainable tourism initiative in Ben Tre aims to achieve the ultimate goal of making tourists feel fulfilled and content, knowing that their trip was both enjoyable and beneficial to the environment and the local community; the foundation of a responsible and enriching travel experience.”

Ngoc Tran

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