Workers have, in many cases, committed to a
career in tourism after leaving their traditional
6. COVID-19 recovery
elsewhere
The impact of COVID-19 on tourism in Vietnam
in the country or even seeing their villages and
has mirrored that in most other countries
farms lost irretrievably to tourism development
of the world, with major business closures
and
is
during periods of lockdown and the absence
unsustainable in their area or region, their ability
of international visitors negatively affecting
to obtain decent and sustainable work may be
the sector. Vietnam has also seen little and
at risk. Moreover, Vietnam as a whole is highly
sporadic domestic travel during the 2020–2022
susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
period, further impacting on enterprises and
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
their employees. While employees in the formal
(IPCC) has identified Vietnam as one of nine
sector may have benefited from a degree of
countries where at least 50 million people may
employment
be exposed to the impacts of rising sea levels,
support, those in the informal sector have faced
powerful storms and other threats associated
even greater challenges.
livelihoods,
sometimes
infrastructure
migrating
building.
If
tourism
with climate change.77
protection
and
social
welfare
It is too early to estimate the long-term impact
on tourism in Vietnam and the consequences
that any changes may have for the human rights
The Glasgow Declaration:
A Commitment to a
Decade of Tourism
Climate Action
of individuals and communities that depend on
The Glasgow Declaration was
launched at the COP26 UN Climate
Change Conference in 2021. The
Glasgow Declaration proposes a
coordinated plan for tourism to
support the global commitment to
halve emissions by 2030 and achieve
net zero by 2050.78 By becoming a
signatory, organisations are expected
to make tangible commitments
around planning, measuring and
reporting their activities.79 For more
information, see: https://www.
oneplanetnetwork.org/programmes/
sustainable-tourism/glasgowdeclaration.
business practices.80 However the social and
the sector for their livelihoods. Given the impact
of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, it may
be tempting for businesses to recoup losses
by cutting corners and adopting exploitative
economic
impacts
of
the
pandemic
have
highlighted the need for stronger safeguards and
a people-centred approach to business activities.
Responsible business conduct and the tourism industry in Vietnam • Guidance for companies • 2022 | 33