Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese travellers are increasingly turning their commitment to sustainable tourism into action, from immersing themselves in local culture and reducing single-use plastics to choosing public transport, electric vehicles, and less crowded, cooler destinations.
According to Booking.com's 2026 Travel & Sustainability Report, 96% of Vietnamese respondents said sustainable travel is an important or very important priority.
Travellers across generations in Vietnam are finding meaningful ways to travel more sustainably, whether through the experiences they seek, the choices they make during their trips or by adapting itineraries to climate change, said Branavan Aruljothi, Country Manager for Vietnam at Booking.com.
He noted that these choices contributed to 100 million room nights booked at certified sustainable accommodation through the platform in 2025. Vietnamese travellers are also increasingly opting for public transport, renting electric vehicles and selecting cooler, less crowded destinations.
Sustainability moves from intention to action
Sustainability continues to shape travel decisions across generations, with 91% of Gen X, 94% of Millennials and 88% of Gen Z saying they want to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months.
(Illustrative photo: VietnamPlus)
Many are already changing their travel habits. To reduce waste, 49% of Gen X, 58% of Millennials and 53% of Gen Z said they recycle or avoid single-use plastics while travelling. Meanwhile, 39% of Gen X, 40% of Millennials and 35% of Gen Z prioritise shopping at local stores and independent businesses.
Booking.com said sustainability is increasingly influencing accommodation choices as travellers adopt environmentally friendly practices throughout their journeys.
Based on a survey of 32,500 travellers across 35 markets, including Vietnam, the report found that while sustainable travel is valued across all age groups, each generation expresses it differently.
Among Vietnamese respondents, 37% of Gen X, 42% of Millennials and 47% of Gen Z have joined tours or activities that engage with local communities and cultures. More than one-third have also participated in activities supporting environmental protection and wildlife conservation.
Sustainable accommodation is gaining popularity, with 35% of Gen X, 35% of Millennials and 37% of Gen Z planning to stay at certified properties. Nearly half also intend to reduce energy use while travelling, such as switching off lights and air conditioning when leaving their rooms.
Local and seasonal food is another priority, chosen by 40% of Gen X, 48% of Millennials and 44% of Gen Z, while reusable water bottles are used by 35%, 37% and 43%, respectively.
However, financial support for lower-emission air travel remains limited, with only 26-30% of respondents contributing to carbon offsetting or sustainable aviation fuel initiatives.
Climate concerns reshape travel choices
Extreme weather is increasingly influencing where and when Vietnamese people travel. About 82% said they consider climate risks when selecting destinations and travel dates, while 81% avoid destinations known for severe weather.
Some 73% said weather-related concerns cause stress during trip planning, and 71% found unpredictable weather makes it harder to decide when to travel.
Notably, 58% reported cancelling or changing travel plans over the past year because of extreme weather or natural disasters, including heatwaves, storms, wildfires and floods.
More than half (52%) said some destinations have become too hot to visit at their preferred time of year, while 77% have removed destinations from their wish lists after learning about extreme weather or disasters there.
Beyond choosing sustainable accommodation and reducing waste, energy use and impacts on wildlife, Vietnamese travellers are making more conscious decisions about where and when to travel.
The report found that 40% plan to avoid overcrowded destinations, 35% intend to travel during the off-season, and 31% are looking for cooler destinations.
Among those choosing quieter locations, 55% said they wanted to avoid contributing to overtourism, while 63% of off-season travellers hoped to reduce pressure on popular destinations.
The findings suggest Vietnamese travellers are becoming increasingly aware of tourism's impact on local communities and the environment, reflecting a broader shift towards more sustainable travel in 2026./.
