Da Nang wants your next stay to be greener

Roadmap for greener stays

Da Nang’s journey toward sustainable tourism began years ago. In 2009, the “Say No to Plastic Bags” campaign was launched in Cu Lao Cham, a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve in Hoi An (now part of Da Nang).

In 2019, the city geared up efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote the vision of “Hoi An – A Green Destination”. The next phase is now moving into the accommodation sector.

As of August 2026, Da Nang had more than 2,468 tourist accommodation establishments and 67,735 rooms. The scale gives the city a major advantage in attracting resort travelers and higher-value international visitors.

However, it also means significant consumption of energy, water, food and other resources, along with a large volume of waste. That is why accommodation has become a key entry point for the city’s green transition.

If one hotel reduces its energy or plastic use, the environmental benefit may be modest. If thousands of properties do the same, the impact can be substantial.

In 2026, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development (ST4SD) project, the Da Nang Tourism Association and the city’s Hotel Chapter completed the Da Nang Green Stay Criteria.

The framework brings resorts, hotels, tourist rental homes, tourist villas and homestays under a common set of standards designed to be streamlined, transparent and aligned with principles promoted by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

The criteria focus on three priorities: protecting the environment through efficient energy and water use, waste reduction and better wastewater management; preserving local culture while supporting communities and local employment; and improving service quality and long-term competitiveness.

When sustainability becomes part of the experience

Some businesses are already showing what greener hospitality can look like. At Furama Resort Da Nang, sustainability efforts have been under way for years.

The resort has introduced energy-efficient lighting, advanced air-conditioning systems, solar-powered hot water and electric vehicles.

One of its most visible initiatives is Fredaqua, a drinking-water production system introduced in March 2024. By replacing single-use plastic bottles with returnable and reusable glass bottles, the system has helped eliminate nearly 500,000 plastic bottles from the resort’s operations.

This renowned resort has also developed Furama Food Farm, which supplies part of the vegetables and agricultural products used by its restaurants. Guests can visit the farm, plant vegetables and harvest them — turning an environmental initiative into an interactive travel experience.

In a similar vein, Hoi An Memories Land is currently reviewing and completing its application for Hoi An Memory Resort & Spa to join Da Nang’s Green Stay programme.

The move comes as travellers increasingly place sustainability among their priorities.

“Green” tourism is no longer simply about protecting the environment; it is becoming part of the quality and competitiveness of a destination.

Da Nang’s ambition goes beyond saving a plastic bottle or a kilowatt-hour of electricity. It is about redefining how tourism creates value, shifting from growth in visitor numbers to better experiences, and from tourism that simply “comes and goes” to travel that connects people with nature, culture and local communities.

The resort has also introduced sustainable food and farming initiatives to support its restaurants.

Ultimately, Da Nang wants visitors to take home more than beautiful photographs and memories. The goal is for every journey to leave something positive behind for the environment, local culture and the people, helping the city contribute to Vietnam’s Net Zero 2050 commitment.