Second-hand smoke exposure in Vietnamese hotels drops nearly 15% in 4 years

Health experts described the trend as a positive signal for both community well-being and the overall quality of Vietnam’s tourism services.

The findings were highlighted at the first-ever ceremony honoring ‘Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels,’ held on Wednesday in Hanoi.

The event was organized by Van Hoa (Culture) newspaper under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in coordination with the Vietnam Steering Committee on Smoking and Health and other relevant agencies.

Phan Thi Hai, deputy head of the Vietnam Steering Committee on Smoking and Health under the Ministry of Health, stated that building smoke-free environments is a strategic investment rather than a short-term cost.

“Investing in smoke-free spaces means investing in employees’ health, reducing disease burdens, improving guest experiences, and enhancing the long-term value of hotel brands,” Hai said.

“This is a dual-benefit strategy that protects the community while raising the quality of national tourism services.”

Following the launch of the smoke-free hotel campaign, many accommodation providers introduced comprehensive measures to curb tobacco use.

These included disseminating tobacco harm prevention regulations to staff and guests through internal rules, signage, leaflets, and direct guidance.

Hotels also enforced smoking bans throughout their premises and required employees to proactively remind guests not to smoke in lobbies, corridors, guest rooms, restaurants, meeting rooms, and shared spaces.

Clear ‘No Smoking’ signs were installed in visible locations, while staff received training on how to implement and maintain smoke-free environments.

Thanks to these coordinated efforts, lodging conditions have improved significantly.

At the ceremony, a representative of a five-star hotel in Quang Ninh Province, home to UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, shared practical experience in rolling out a smoke-free policy.

The hotel adopted a phased approach, starting with strict compliance among staff before extending enforcement to guests.

“In addition to no-smoking signs, we inform guests that smoking in rooms will result in penalties,” the representative said.

“It is not easy, given smoking habits among some guests, but step by step we can build a smoke-free environment. 

"This has also helped enhance our reputation and guest satisfaction.”

During the event, organizers formally recognized 44 hotels from various provinces and cities as outstanding smoke-free establishments.

These hotels met criteria related to governance, operations, and a long-term commitment to maintaining tobacco-free accommodation.

The organizers said the recognition offers an opportunity for lodging facilities to demonstrate professional management, service quality, and social responsibility toward community health.