Vietnam may lose some beaches because of sea level rise

According to experts, climate change has made some beaches and tourist areas like Hoi An and Kien Giang narrowed and may disappear in the future.

This is the result of the analysis and research of scientists, mentioned at the conference of Vietnam towards sustainable tourism in the era of climate change, August 17. Professor Peter Burns, an international expert on tourism cited images taken from Google Earth, showing a change after 10 years (2004-2014) of the coast in Hoi An due to sea level rise. Accordingly, seawater ingrained inland every year to 10 meters not only causes the sandy beach to be narrowed, but many resorts here are severely devastated.

Hoi An Sea in 2004 (photo above) and 2014. (Photo: ESRT).

The waters, tourist areas in Vung Tau and Kien Giang also fell into the same situation. Experts insist that deep erosion also damages cultural heritage sites, protected areas, ecotourism areas . Some tourism infrastructure may be flooded, forced to move. or stalled, increasing costs for renovation, movement and maintenance.

According to Bruno Angelet, Ambassador - Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU), climate change is currently a serious problem that Vietnam faces. It directly affects many areas, including tourism.

To cope with and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, Mr. Peter pointed out that the tourism industry needs to set new, drastic, consistent policies and implement "green" and business-oriented business practices. calendar with actions to protect the environment and climate.

A good example is the anti-landslide model combined with the successful development of tourism in Tri Tay village (Dien Phuong commune, Dien Ban district, Quang Nam) made by architect Bui Kien Quoc. In 2009, 2/3 of Trem Tay villages fell to Thu Bon river due to severe landslides and floods. By protecting and developing existing bamboo dust, Mr. Quoc helped land in Triem Tay to stop landslides (in 2011), turning this place into an ecotourism site and a community that attracts foreign visitors since 2015.

Climate change also affects many coastal areas in Kien Giang.(Photo: ESRT).

In order to raise awareness about climate change as well as its impact on tourism, the EU-ESRT * Project has introduced a set of "Good Practice Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Context of Variability. " climate change in Vietnam ". In particular, emphasis on the participation of ministries, sectors, localities, businesses, social organizations and tourists.

Seen from the tourist position, a delegate said that only by very small jobs such as turning off the electricity, regulating the air before leaving the hotel room, using saving water, limiting the change of bed sheets when staying more than one night . is that you have contributed to reducing the impact on climate change.

At present, some big hotels in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang have also directed the change of accommodation services in a positive direction with specific commitments such as reducing 30% of food surplus, using light bulbs energy saving, providing environmentally friendly appliances .

* Project for Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Development Program (EU-ESRT Project, funded by the European Union).