In April 2025, a quiet yet significant milestone took place. The Vietnamese government officially approved the 2024 Sustainable Tourism Development Index Report (VTDI 2024), a tool expected to transform how Vietnam perceives and develops its tourism industry in the future.
The origins of VTDI trace back to seemingly outdated figures: the Vietnam Tourism Competitiveness Index (VTCI), which was prominent in 2019. Modeled after the World Economic Forum’s TTCI, VTCI spurred a “race” among provinces to attract visitors, measuring over 70 indicators like infrastructure, human resources, and policies. But then the pandemic struck, silencing tourist routes and sparking a realization: we had overlooked the most critical elements—environment, community, and sustainability.
As the world shifted toward the TTDI in 2021, emphasizing green recovery and responsible tourism, Vietnam began to conceive a tool of its own. VTDI was born from that aspiration.
A Collective Journey Beyond Rankings
VTDI is not the product of a single entity. It is the result of collaboration between the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, the Private Sector Economic Development Research Board (Board IV), the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), and international experts from the Swiss Sustainable Tourism Development Project for Vietnam (ST4SD).
Unlike VTCI, VTDI focuses on previously underemphasized aspects: environment, social impact, renewable energy, and local identity. In its 2024 pilot, 30 representative provinces were selected to “assess the health” of tourism, not just by visitor numbers but by the footprint they leave on the environment and communities.
Though it’s too early for a comprehensive evaluation, the first VTDI report—approved by the government—offers hope: it is not merely a set of metrics but a potential foundation for Vietnam to realize its Net Zero 2050 commitment and 2030 Tourism Strategy.
Data Not Just to Measure, But to Guide
VTDI is proving to be a valuable tool for local policymakers. Based on VTDI 2024 data, ST4SD experts have developed initial policy reports for three provinces—Hà Giang, Đồng Tháp, and Quảng Nam—as pilot models for the index’s potential applications.
In Hà Giang, the future could see eco-friendly homestays powered by renewable energy replacing firewood on the rocky plateau. In Đồng Tháp, lotus tea tours amidst Sa Đéc’s breezy marshes could attract visitors while preserving the wetland ecosystem. In Quảng Nam, a smart digital map could help Hội An manage tourist flows and enhance experiences at Trà Quế vegetable village without harming the local community.
From ST4SD’s pilot models, VTDI is expected to serve as a compass, guiding localities toward a sustainable path forward.
More Than an Index—A New Way to Tell Stories
During the recent April 30–May 1 holiday, VTDI began to show its initial influence. Several provinces—from Đà Nẵng, Quảng Ninh, and Hà Nội to Thừa Thiên-Huế—announced their VTDI rankings as a communication tool, a statement that their destinations are not only beautiful but also on the right track: sustainable, responsible, and future-oriented.
If told effectively, this story could spark a new trend: shifting from a mindset of “competitive destinations” to a collective journey, where each province is a piece of the larger puzzle called “Sustainable Vietnam Tourism.”
VTDI is still in its infancy, and its real-world impacts are not yet fully visible. But if implemented correctly, with the collective effort of the government, businesses, and communities, this index could become a beacon—lighting the way for Vietnam’s tourism industry to enter a new era: where every journey is not just about arriving, but about preserving.