ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL OF NET ZERO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN VO NHAI - THAN SA AREA, THAI NGUYEN: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

In the context of global climate change, tourism is both a driver of socio-economic growth and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 8% of global CO₂. This study evaluates the potential for developing Net Zero tourism in Vo Nhai and Than Sa area, Thai Nguyen province, based on surveys of 51 visitors and interviews with stakeholders. Findings indicate that 43.14% of tourists would return if green tourism services were available and 49.02% expressed willingness to engage in environmental activities. At the same time, 31.37% were concerned about high costs and 56.86% considered the local environment fairly good but in need of improvement, with 43.14% highlighting inadequate waste management as a key problem. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis identifies strengths of the study area in karst landscapes, forest ecosystems, and cultural heritage, while also pointing to challenges in infrastructure, waste treatment, and community awareness. The study concludes that combining national green growth policies with community capacity-building is essential to establish a feasible Net Zero tourism model. This approach strengthens local sustainability and provides practical evidence for replicating Net Zero initiatives in other mountainous regions of Vietnam.