The Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development Project (ST4SD) is committed to fostering a more sustainable and inclusive industry in Viet Nam. Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and co-implemented by Helvetas Viet Nam and the CRED Tourism and Agriculture Solution Consulting Company Limited in the period of 2024 – 2027, the project is overseen by the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development in Viet Nam (ST4SD) Project is calling individuals and organizations operating in Viet Nam for innovative ideas that can be applied to promote sustainable tourism models and sustainable destination development in Viet Nam in general, with encouragement to focus on three provinces: Tuyen Quang, Da Nang, and Dong Thap.
The goal of the program is to promote sustainable tourism practices in Vietnam by identifying and supporting individuals, organizations and pioneering enterprises with the potential to contribute to sustainable tourism development. The application and selection process is scheduled for November 2025 to February 2026.
Eligibility: The program is open to all individuals over 18, as well as private companies, non-profit organizations, and associations operating in Viet Nam. Priority will be given to ideas and projects implemented in three target provinces of the project in Tuyen Quang, Da Nang, and Dong Thap.
Successful applicants need to propose a tourism-related product, service, or business model that strongly commits to sustainability. This commitment must cover environmental protection, cultural preservation, and improving community livelihoods, while also demonstrating strong potential for scalability and stakeholder collaboration.
Each individual or entity may submit only one idea.
Requirements for submission:
- Submitted ideas must be innovative and creative, offering a business solution that generates new value and contributes to sustainable tourism development in Viet Nam. Priority will be given to ideas targeting the three project-supported provinces: Tuyen Quang, Da Nang, and Dong Thap.
- Applicants must hold full ownership rights over the proposed idea.
- The ideas can be in its initial stage or an extension of an existing initiative, but they must demonstrate innovative approaches or business models that promote sustainable tourism.
- Priority will be given to ideas that can leverage additional funding sources (public or private, in cash or kind) to enhance long-term sustainability.
- The applications must follow the Concept Note Template (in Vietnamese or English) provided by the Organizing Committee. Only complete applications that meet the required structure and criteria will be considered.
Grant support: Selected applicants will receive a grant provision, including financial and implementation support, depending on the applicant’s capacity to realize the idea. The total value of prizes is up to USD 7,000, equivalent to approximately 180 million Vietnamese dong. Based on the approved implementation plan, Helvetas Vietnam will purchase goods and services on behalf of the grantee using the agreed budget.
Selection process
The Organizing Committee will select suitable concept notes to advance to Round 2, where candidates will present their ideas. Applicants based outside Hanoi may present online. In Round 2, the Evaluation Committee will make decisions based on the voting results of the participating members.
Selected applications will be announced in February 2026. The prize will be provided as a grant contract for implementing selected ideas, with the implementation period expected to begin in March 2026.
Key dates:
- Submission date: 23:59, 31 December 2025
- Pitching session for shortlisted candidates: End January 2026
- Announcement of outstanding ideas and grant awards: February 2026
- Implementation of selected ideas: March to September 2026
For more information, you can contact the ST4SD project via Ms. Tạ Linh Chi at assist1@st4sd.vn.
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