Research on the Impact of Tourism Development Activities on the Environment in Hanoi City, Vietnam

Abstract

This study evaluates the relationship between tourism development and environmental pressure in Hanoi City during the period 2015-2024 on the basis of secondary data and the DPSIR analytical framework. Data were synthesized from reports and official portals of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the Hanoi People's Committee, documents of the World Bank and IQAir, and a number of relevant statistical sources and sectoral reports concerning municipal solid waste, urban wastewater, and air quality. The results show that tourism in Hanoi grew strongly before the Covid-19 pandemic, declined sharply in 2020-2021, and then recovered rapidly during 2022-2024. In 2024, total tourist arrivals reached 27.86 million visits and total tourism revenue was approximately VND 110.52 trillion, equivalent to 96.3% of the visitor volume and 106.5% of the revenue recorded in 2019. However, urban environmental capacity has not increased at the same pace as tourism recovery. Indicators of PM2.5, municipal solid waste, and the proportion of treated urban wastewater show that Hanoi still faces substantial pressure on air quality, waste, surface water, and destination carrying capacity. The study does not claim that tourism is the sole or main cause of urban pollution. Rather, it demonstrates that increasing tourism amplifies environmental pressure in areas with high visitor density, especially the Old Quarter - Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy, West Lake, pedestrian spaces, craft villages, and peri-urban tourist sites. The article proposes groups of DPSIR-based governance solutions, including carrying-capacity management, tourism-waste accounting, green standards for accommodation establishments, the development of low-emission tourism transport, environmental monitoring at destinations, and integration of tourism-environment data into urban management.