Tourism, often referred to as the non-smoke industry, is damaging the environment in Vietnam, even with the emerging prevalence of eco-tourism facilities.

Thanh told the Daily that people have cleared the forest to build golf courses, resorts and ecological zones. In turn, these places add fuel to the fire by discharging untreated water to the environment.

The World Bank, in a report in 2008, said that Vietnam suffered losses of some US$70 million a year due to poor waste treatment solutions for the hospitality industry. Environmental pollution also makes Vietnam less attractive in competing with other countries since international tourists are now more concerned about the environment.

Thanh explained that Dalat now is warmer, which is less attractive to tourists. Cam Ly waterfall in this resort city has turned black due to the uncontrolled discharge of wastewater.

The situation is the same for HCMC, where pollution of water and air is prevalent, let alone deafening noises as another form of pollution.

Bui Chi Trung, a professor of Vietnamese origin from Japan’s Aichi Shukutoku University, said that pollution in HCMC discouraged him and many others to return to Vietnam. Noise, dust and impure air directly affect the public health and “I could not recognize my friends since they are all covered in their masks,” he said.

The 37-year-old English woman Camilla seconded the idea at the workshop. The woman, who has spent seven years long in Vietnam, said that environment, besides poor services, is one of the major reasons that scare foreign tourists away.

“Wastes and emission are scaring Western travelers in Vietnam,” she said.

VietNamNet/SGT