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“W ith its ‘grow first, clean-up later’ philosophy, Vietnam has experienced

rapid rural and urban development and population growth over the past two decades. Combined with an excessive focus on economic advancement, the country’s natural resources have been placed under huge pressure, creating serious environmental woes such as poor waste treatment, deforestation and land and air pollution.

Uncontrolled development, lax regu-lations, plus naivety regarding global environmental issues have compounded these problems. “Vietnam is open to eco-friendly practices but helping the environment is still a luxury; for most, it’s a matter of economics,” testifies Steve Mueller, General Director of Green Energy.

{emission} writer SamanthaCoomber

Fuelling sustainable energy Settled in Vietnam for a decade, American Stephen Mueller wanted to help the environmental issues in his new home – and certainly did, founding Green Energy (www.greenenergy.com.vn) in 2005. Backed by Australian partners Jatoil, this HCMC-based Vietnamese company focuses on renewable, clean energy – namely, biofuel, a non toxic alternative fuel.

After dabbling in waste cooking oil from hotels, General Director Mueller looked at alternative biofuel sources – se-lecting Jatropha Curcas, an inedible plant that thrives on marginal lands. Seeds from Jatropha can be pressed and refined into sustainable, biodegradable and non-pollut-ing biodiesel. A second generation biofuel

impossible?

At the World Economic Forum, a 2008 Environmental Performance Index ranked Vietnam 76th, scoring lowest in biodiver-sity, conservation, indoor air pollution and sanitation. The Forum’s Competitiveness Reports 2007-2009 ranked Vietnam’s Quality of Natural Environment 122nd out of 133 countries. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is among the world’s top 10 cities most endangered by climate change and has some of the world’s highest air pollution levels.

But before we all sob into our lattes, there are encouraging signs. The govern-ment is increasingly aware of the need for urgent measures to redress environmental problems, one official at a recent confer-ence on the matter admitting: “To develop

sustainably, we must pay special attention to protecting the environment and maintaining natural resources reasonably.”

Lately, various ministries have drafted environmental strategies and policies; these include a 2020 plan for Environmentally Sustainable Transport and an action plan to implement the Kyoto Protocol and combat climate change. More environmental-based enforcements and regulations are being introduced. In the private sector, according to a recent Grant Thornton report (IBR), 69 percent of Vietnam’s private businesses are prepared to introduce green practices. And thankfully, an increasing number of individuals and organizations, in their own diverse ways, are making a difference and leading by example.

feedstock, Jatropha requires little water, doesn’t involve destruction of high-value native environments and is cultivated solely for fuel, rather than competing with land for food crops. It burns 70 percent cleaner than fossil fuels and is CO2 neutral – an important factor, considering transport causes over 70 percent of air pollution in Vietnam’s urban areas.

Additionally, Jatropha cultivation gener-ates sustainable yields on Vietnam’s most unproductive lands – including degraded and war damaged – where nothing else can grow (Jatropha grows wild in the central provinces). Supplied with tools, training and contracts, biofuel plantations offer some of Vietnam’s poorest farmers a viable economic recourse on otherwise barely

cultivable land. Still on trial runs, Green Energy is

currently committed to 2,000 hectares of cultivation, expanding to 25,000 and full production within five years. Although not yet profitable, Mueller believes that a po-tential market exists; primarily local, with its lower priced fuel, but increasingly, with the government. Aware of biofuels’ potential of meeting Vietnam’s escalating energy and transport needs, the government is legislat-ing a five percent biodiesel mandate by 2015, rising to 15 percent by 2020, plus plans to bring millions of hectares under biofuel feedstock cultivation. Green Energy will play a significant part in reducing rural poverty and creating a sustainable energy future for Vietnam. tr

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This page: Resort Aerial View of Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay photographed by Kiattipong Panchee.

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most eco-friendly packaging types and fully recyclable. NRV also supplies products to many prestigious resorts, hotels and spas in Vietnam: not only reducing shipments and guaranteeing genuine green amenities for guests, but also actively converting clients to environmentally beneficial practices. Estab-lishments purchase NRV products in bulk via returnable plastic bottles and use refillable aluminum or ceramic containers in-house, breaking the cycle of disposable plastic con-tainers – vital in waste management.

green designs Meaning “Life” in Vietnamese, Sông (www.song-life.com) is a tropically-inspired, lifestyle and fashion brand, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern eco-friendly ethos. Sông was founded 1996 in Vietnam by French designer Valerie Gregori McKenzie, an earth mother and HCMC resident who takes her responsibility as a global citizen seriously. “Some day we shall all be green or we shall be no more,” she declares. “Until that day comes, fashion and ecology must learn to walk hand-in-hand and ecological sustainability must evolve with improvement in manufacturing choices.”

Controlling its carbon footprint and guaranteeing revenue for local artisanal communities, Sông is a member of the

International Fair Trade Association. It’s virtually impossible to create entirely green garments, while producing high-end fashions for luxury outlets worldwide requires modern manufacturing processes, however, Sông explores progressive pro-duction possibilities and supports the use of biotechnology to increase productivity and save dwindling environments. Fabrics are natural, ethically sourced and have low environmental impact – like linen, hemp and silk, while embellishments feature recycled sea and coconut shells. Com-mercial dyes cannot totally claim to be eco-friendly, rather, less environmentally damaging. Sông uses low-impact reactive dyes, with no toxic substances and less water run-off. Surprisingly, these are more environmentally friendly than natural dyes, which contain harmful metallic salts.

run For your wildliFe Vietnam’s wildlife is increasingly under threat, with endangered species facing depletion and ultimately, extinction, due to habitat loss and fragmented eco-systems, hunting, pollution and a flourishing wildlife trade – Vietnam is en route for smugglers from Cambodia or Malaysia to China. Several organisations however are helping stem this crisis. Joint International-Vietnamese

Wildlife At Risk (WAR; www.wildlifeatrisk.org) is dedicated to protecting Vietnam’s biodiversity by combating illegal trading, raising environmental awareness and promoting the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. The non-profit organization operates three wildlife facilities in Vietnam’s south.

Animal Rescue Centre at Cu Chi is dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing rescued animals, as well as being a pio-neering research centre providing empirical data on rescued animals released into the wild. WAR’s Bear Sanctuary within Cat Tien National Park offers a semi-natural eco-tour-ism venue, while the larger Hon Me Bear Sanctuary in the Mekong Delta offers a new home for bears confiscated from poachers. Both recently established sanctuaries are jointly operated with Free the Bears.

British Flora and Fauna International (FFI; www.fauna-flora.org) is the world’s oldest international conservation organisation, directly protecting – and drawing attention to – the planet’s endangered species and eco-systems. FFI works with local com-munities to help them find sustainable, economically viable and lasting means of keeping habitats intact. They operate over 100 conservation projects in more than 40 countries: in Vietnam, in the mountainous north, these include protecting the Tonkin Snub Nosed Monkey and Cao Vit Gibbon, some of the world’s most endangered

naturally beautiFul A demand for 100 percent natural skincare products has emerged in recent years. However, many products, even boasting natural content, still contain synthetic and chemical ingredients that are neither beneficial to the skin or environment.

Established by Frenchman Stephane Eliot four years ago, Natural Rendez-Vous (NRV; www.naturalrdv.com) has catapulted Vietnam firmly on the cosmetics map. French managed, NRV’s brands Azial (pro-fessional spa, body and hair care products) and Rendez-vous (specialist skin and body care products) are made with 100 percent natural and active ingredients. No artificial ingredients, preservatives, petrochemicals, parabens, alcohol, animal testing or GMO’s are used, while the highly concentrated content contains fresh aloe vera instead of water, plus synergic blends of therapeutic grade essential oils.

There are wider implications than all-natural body maintenance: made entirely in Vietnam, products are manufactured the traditional way, including handmade soaps. Around 70 percent of ingredients are sourced locally and products are bio-degradable, meaning little impact on the environment from production to use. Retail packaging mostly comprises of aluminum, one of the

primates and assisting local authorities manage Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, one of the richest locations of primates in Indo-China.

stay greenBlessed with abundantly beautiful land and sea scapes, Vietnam’s burgeoning rise in tourism and increased hotel construction is inevitable, putting ecosystems under pressure. Fortunately, tourists are becoming discerning regarding ‘green’ accommodation and destinations showing scant regard for the environment. “Today’s traveller is increasingly aware of the impact that travel has on the environment and seeking hotels that demonstrate a credible commitment to positive environmental practices,” affirms Evan Lewis, V.P. Communications, ACCOR.

For management and investors too, it may be in their best commercial interests to go green, as companies are increasingly doing business with others that demonstrate clear environmental vision. Several hotels are committed in the fight against global warming and environmental damage – and go way beyond the concept of re-using towels and bed linen.

A tropical paradise and still relatively underdeveloped, Vietnam’s largest island Phu Quoc is pioneering for its environmen-tally conscious resorts – the most prolific, eco-concept Mango Bay (www.mangobay-phuquoc.com). Created by international

owners with a passion for the environment and island culture, accommodation in this low-impact resort is constructed from natural, locally-sourced materials, including eco-efficient rammed earth bungalows. Rooms don’t feature air-conditioning or TV, water is heated by solar power and waste is recycled. The surrounding rainforest has been sustained over the years with thousands of trees planted.

On the mainland, some of the most eco-friendly hotels are ironically Vietnam’s most historic. In HCMC, the 1925-built Hotel Majestic (www.majesticsaigon.com.vn) is one of Southeast Asia’s classic colo-nial hotels, yet came third in the ASEAN Energy Efficient Building 2008 awards. A decade of determination to create a green environment based on energy saving and efficiency leading to sustainable tourism is backed by solar water heating systems for guestrooms, reduction of plastic bag use and a monthly ‘Saturday Candle Night.’ Efforts have not only resulted in reducing water and power consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by an average 179000kg per month, but saved this state-run hotel thousands of dollars in operational costs.

50 years old, but the nearby Caravelle (www.caravellehotel.com) is another en-vironmentally committed hotel. “It’s not enough for those in the hotel industry to simply consume resources with abandon anymore, even if we can afford them,” states

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This page: A fishing cat courtesy of Nguyen Vu Khoi - WAR and cultivable lands courtesy of Green Energy. Opposite page: Jatropha cultivation at Green Energy; Song; and stump tail macaque at Nguyen Vu Khoi - WAR.

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committed to a progressive environmental programme both in their Hanoi and HCMC hotels – the latter’s eco-practices include a sewage treatment plant, liquefied petroleum gas powered boilers and hot water produced by heat pumps.

Vietnam’s shining star however is arguably Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay (www.sixsenses.com/Six-Senses-Hideaway-Ninh-Van-Bay). Bangkok-based Six Senses Resorts and Spas Group have always been firmly committed to sustainable develop-ment and environmental responsibilities. Trademark reduction of carbon footprints include measures such as sourcing of prime produce from local communities. Their second of three Vietnam properties is over 90 percent self-sustaining; remarkable, considering this nature-style hideaway is located on an isolated peninsula and is

one of Vietnam’s premier luxury resorts. Architecturally blending seamlessly with the wild surrounds, eco-friendly elements include a rain water dam, recycling depot, ozone-friendly refrigerators and waste water management.

lessons learntIncreased government intervention and education – especially children – may be the best footprint forward. An ongoing flora and fauna International project, the ‘Halong Bay Eco-boat’ has taught thousands of Vietnamese children one of the greatest lessons of all: the importance of balancing Vietnam’s socio-economic development with preservation of the natural environment and biological diversity. One can only hope that this innovative educational step will lead to a new generation of eco-awarenes.

General Manager John Gardner. “Our goal is to significantly reduce the Caravelle’s carbon footprint.” Their Green Initiatives programme is a systematic analysis of the hotel’s energy consumption and wastage, backed with measures to reduce environ-mental impact. Efforts include an extensive Reduce, Recycle and Reuse programme, staff awareness training and energy saving devices like digital thermostats.

In Dalat, the ACCOR-managed (www.accorhotels.com) Sofitel Dalat Palace and Hotel Novotel Dalat, established in 1922 and 1932 respectively, prove that age is no boundary to eco-friendly practices like intensive recycling and rain collection. For 2009 to date, reductions in water and electric-ity consumption reflect savings of around 20 percent. ACCOR’s Novotel Group has embraced environmental concerns as an integral part of their brand for years and come under the Australian-based, Green Globe Programme. By 2010, all Novotel’s worldwide-including those in Vietnam – aim to implement environmental practices complying with Green Globe Sustainable Tourism Certification.

Newcomers to Vietnam, the Inter-Continental (www.ichotelsgroup.com) has

“Today’s traveller is increasingly aware of the impact that travel has on the environment

and seeking hotels that demonstrate a credible commitment to positive

environmental practices.”

This page: Water Villa Exterior with eco-friendly elements at Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay, photographed by Kiattipong Panchee.