On June 20th, in Quy Nhon ward, the Vietnam National Tourism Administration (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), in coordination with the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund (Ministry of Health) and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province, organized the launching ceremony of the “Building a smoke-free environment at tourist attractions and accommodation establishments”.
20 June 2026
By Báo Tin Tức – Vietnam.vn
According to Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration: The World Health Organization has indicated that tobacco smoke is one of the leading causes of health problems. Reducing the harm caused by tobacco is not only the responsibility of the health sector but requires the participation of the entire society, including the tourism industry – a sector that regularly serves a large number of people and domestic and international tourists.
Creating a smoke-free tourism environment is a practical solution to protect public health, improve service quality, and enhance the image of the destination. Gia Lai was chosen as the launching location with the hope that through the National Tourism Year 2026, the message of building a smoke-free environment will spread throughout the tourism industry, building a green, sustainable, and socially responsible tourism industry…
According to Ms. Do Thi Dieu Hanh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province, at tourist destinations, cigarette smoke not only diminishes the pleasant experience for visitors but also goes against the trend of responsible tourism that the world is moving towards. Although efforts to prevent and control the harmful effects of tobacco have seen many positive changes recently, in reality, smoking in violation of regulations still occurs at some tourist attractions and accommodation establishments.
This requires more decisive and coordinated action from all stakeholders. She urged travel agencies, tourist areas and attractions, restaurants, hotels, and transportation units in the province to seriously and properly implement the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm. Relevant parties should clearly display “no smoking” signs and designate designated smoking areas in accordance with regulations; make “smoke-free” a cultural standard in business; strengthen reminders and awareness campaigns for staff and tourists; and promote the role of heads of units in monitoring and maintaining green, smoke-free spaces.
2026 marks a significant milestone as Gia Lai strives to break through, enhance its competitiveness, and build an image of a professional and friendly destination. The establishment of “smoke-free” tours, destinations, and accommodations is key to creating a positive impression on tourists and directly protecting the health of the community and workers.
Immediately after the launch ceremony, a large number of delegates and citizens marched and cycled to promote the event. The launch ceremony in Gia Lai marked the beginning of a series of activities to build a smoke-free tourism environment that will be implemented nationwide.
In the coming period, the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, in coordination with the Tobacco Harm Prevention Fund and local authorities, will organize training courses and guidance for accommodation establishments and tourist areas on implementing regulations on smoke-free environments, along with workshops and forums to share experiences, best practices, and effective implementation solutions. These efforts will contribute to raising awareness among businesses, employees, and tourists, and establishing criteria and mechanisms for recognizing and honoring tourism establishments that effectively implement smoke-free environments.