By Allegra Zaia
Mentor: Paulo Lima
Translation from Italian by Giorgia Zappa
Tourism in Vietnam has grown rapidly, creating economical opportunities which, however, also result in social and environmental pressures.
Since tourism brings with it a double nature, it’s important to emphasise the importance of promoting a specific kind of tourism model, namely sustainable tourism: from the definition of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities.”
Between the rice fields and the mountains of Sa Pa, Topas Ecolodge distinguishes itself as a responsible resort: able to reduce the environmental impact, honor local traditions and offer respectful tourism experiences.
History
Founded in 2005 from the danish company Topas Travel with the support of a Vietnamese family, the ecolodge was created with the idea of combining both comfort and nature, so as to allow guests to dive in nature while respecting the villages of the nearby ethnical minorities.
Situated 18 kilometres from Sa Pa, it offers panoramic bungalows and high-level services, but sustainability remains its true mission, with the aim of preserving the environment and the mountain communities.
The resort’s main goal is to promote community and sustainable development, which is achieved through the employment of local ethnic minorities and the use of materials and resources available in the area.
Here, sustainability is not just an ethical value, but, more importantly, a practical strategy: it reduces energy costs, respects Vietnamese environmental norms, makes the resort more resilient to climate change, and attracts attentive tourists.
The resort, thanks to LED lights and a limited number of electronics devices, reduces its energy costs. After trying to depend exclusively on solar energy, it now has a local hydroelectric center.
The main goal remains the same: to reduce emission and raise visitors’ awareness about the importance of using available resources consciously.
Topas Ecolodge sustainable practices
Waste management
Since the resort is situated in a remote mountain area, it had to find creative and sustainable solutions to manage waste.
One of the most curious it’s a glass crushing machine. It is able to transform bottles into sand, later reused as concrete for construction and maintenance of the lodges. These days Topas manages to recycle glass bottles that would once have been, simply, thrown away.
All of the recyclable materials are being distributed locally. For example, organic waste from the kitchen is given to farmers to feed animals and bottles and cans are reused by the community.
Another remarkable innovative solution is the artificial humid area: a natural system used to treat kitchen and laundry wastewaters. Thanks to multiple filters made with sand and vegetation, the water is naturally and ecologically purified. This prevents the proliferation of algae and the contamination of local ecosystems.
Water management
The resort pays great attention to water conservation. Every bungalow has toilets and low-flow showers, which have drastically reduced the hydric consumption of water without having to sacrifice comfort and hygiene.
The lodge’s infinity pool, that seems to merge with the horizon, uses a natural filtration system made of sand and plants to reduce the need for chemical substances. Water is also recycled and reused to reduce any waste.
The resort has also installed different kinds of systems to collect and filter rain water, later used for non-drinkable uses as showers and sinks. These solutions are a clear example of how technology, if used smartly, can make luxury something truly sustainable.
The result? A resort that combines technology, innovation and respect for the environment.
Local community involvement
Sustainability for Topas is not just environmental, but also social.
The lodge has around 100 employees and almost everyone comes from an ethnic community of the area, such as the Red Rao or the H’Mong. Topas also buys products and supplies from local markets. Furthermore, it promotes projects that aim to valorise the competencies of craft women, create opportunities and reduce young migration.
The guests can participate in cultural, environmental activities and learn how tradition and innovation coexist in the mountains of North Vietnam. This is a form of tourism that unites, not divides.
Conclusion
Nowadays, Topas Ecolodge is a virtuous example of sustainable tourism, not just for Vietnam, but for all South-East Asia. With its mix of innovation, environmental respect and social engagement, it demonstrates how luxury can be green.
There are many challenges left: climate change, mass tourism growth and the necessity of maintaining high levels of standards. But, if there is a place that teaches us that a different form of travel it’s possible, that place is in the rice fields of Sa Pa.
To find out more
We have also talked about Vietnam and its role in the climate crisis in this article Vietnam and the climate challenge: between green promises and hidden coal
This article is part of a series of articles written to approach COP30, which will take place in Brazil next November. You will find this and many others in this section, which we invite you to consult.