Insights and Inspirations: Correspondence from Abroad
By Our Green Team | Feb 12 2010, 17:26

Thanks to the internet, I was recently able to work remotely while in Vietnam for my best friend's wedding. Vietnam is an interesting and enchanting place with a lot of history. Now that I'm back at home base in Vancouver, my mind continues to swirl with the reflections and perspectives I gleaned from this trip.

Still a developing country, Vietnam is a bustle of activity with a population of over 86 million - the 13th most populous country in the world. Through history, Cham culture and the cultures of other ethnic minority groups have been integrated to create the unique Vietnamese culture. The country's past as a colony of France is also still evident in its many French colonial-style buildings and homes.

Topographically, Vietnam is a verdant tapestry of soaring mountains, fertile deltas, thick forests, sinuous rivers, mysterious caves, otherworldly rock formations, heavenly waterfalls and 3,260 kilometers of coastline. Vietnam is ranked among 16 countries with the highest biodiversity in a wide range of ecosystems, with an estimated 12,000 plant, 275 mammal, 800 bird, 180 reptile, 2,470 fish and over 5,500 insect species.

Beyond nature, the curious and open-minded visitor will find in Vietnam a feast of rich culture, historical heritage and decadent food. Due to its climate, there are many indigenous tropical fruits and everything is organic.

To think of any of this becoming more westernized and fading is a terrible thought. Although tourism has brought positive benefits to the economy, the 3.8 million visitors each year contribute to environmental degradation, especially biodiversity deterioration. Vietnam has prioritized ecotourism in its strategy for tourism development to ensure both sustainability and economic benefits:

"Tourism development has become a spearhead economic industry indeed. It is necessary to improve the quality and effectiveness of tourism activities, bringing into full play the natural conditions, and cultural and historical tradition to meet the domestic and international demand for tourism and to catch up with tourism development in the region." (Document of the IX National Congress 2001).

One example can be seen in the northwestern part of Phu Quoc. There, three eco-resorts - Thang Loi, Bo Resort and Mango Bay - offer low-density getaways featuring solar power, replanting of endemic vegetation and renewable construction materials such as earth, leaves, stone and bamboo. Mango Bay is even involved with large forest preservation projects, is building a handicraft center for local communities and is setting up a tourism school.

It is truly beautiful to see Vietnam rising from poverty and gaining strength after it has been through such horrible times, and it's even greater to see the nation taking steps to ensure that its development will not only bring prosperity to its people but also provide a sustainable future.

My visit there made me realize something important: in your travels, wherever you may go, remember that the people there have graciously granted your visit, so be respectful of their home and tread lightly.