Green Transformation Coupled with Digitalization in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Lessons Learned for Vietnam

Abstract

In the context of accelerating climate change and the growing imperative for sustainable development, green transformation integrated with digitalization has emerged as an inevitable trend in the tourism and hospitality sector. This transformation not only contributes to mitigating environmental impacts but also facilitates the modernization of management practices, enhances operational efficiency, and improves the quality of tourist experiences. However, in Vietnam, the implementation of green transformation and digitalization in the tourism and hospitality sector continues to face numerous challenges, including limited financial and human resources, inadequate technological capabilities, and a lack of comprehensive studies that synthesize international experiences to derive practical lessons for sustainable sectoral development. The study employs a literature review and document analysis approach to examine the concept of green transformation integrated with digitalization in the tourism and hospitality sector. It further synthesizes representative international experiences concerning policy frameworks, governance practices, technological applications, human resource development, and the enhancement of tourist experiences. Based on these findings, the study derives several lessons that are relevant to the Vietnamese context, highlighting the pivotal role of government, the central role of enterprises, the importance of human capital, and the need to align transformation strategies with local conditions and characteristics. The findings contribute to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive perspective on green transformation integrated with digitalization in the tourism and hospitality sector. Furthermore, they offer a scientific basis for policy formulation and strategic decision-making to promote sustainable tourism development in Vietnam amid emergidigitalizationng global challenges.