Green Accounting and Environmental Disclosure in Tourism Enterprises: A Path Toward Sustainable Development

Vietnam’s tourism sector is experiencing rapid growth, contributing significantly to the economy while raising environmental sustainability concerns. This paper examines how green accounting practices and environmental disclosure by tourism enterprises can drive sustainable development in Vietnam. Adopting a formal academic approach, the study draws on literature, industry reports, and Vietnam-specific policy documents. The findings indicate that green accounting – the integration of environmental costs and considerations into accounting – remains at a nascent stage among Vietnamese tourism businesses, with adoption largely limited to larger or externally pressured firms. Environmental disclosure by tourism enterprises, although now mandated for listed companies, is still generally low in scope and depth. Case examples illustrate that pioneering companies implementing sustainability accounting (e.g. measuring resource use, waste, and emissions) and transparently reporting environmental performance can reap benefits in risk reduction, brand value enhancement, and stakeholder trust. However, common barriers – such as financial constraints, limited expertise, and weak regulatory enforcement – hinder widespread adoption. The discussion highlights that strengthening policy frameworks, enhancing corporate capacity, and leveraging market incentives are critical to mainstream green accounting and disclosures in tourism. By aligning corporate practices with Vietnam’s green growth and sustainable tourism strategies, tourism enterprises can significantly contribute to environmental sustainability while maintaining competitiveness. The paper concludes with recommendations for policymakers and industry leaders to foster a robust green accounting ecosystem in Vietnam’s tourism industry, positioning it as a model for sustainable development.