Vietnam's first solar powered resort

Resorts describing themselves as “eco-friendly” are a dime a dozen in Vietnam. Mostly, the eco initiatives are more about cost saving than saving the planet. But as the global warming crisis becomes ever more pressing, and with Vietnam among the countries facing the most severe consequences, the tourism industry is going to need to go beyond tokenism and cost cutting, and think about investment in renewables. Yesterday, I discovered a modest little resort here on Phu Quoc Island that’s leading the renewables charge in Vietnam. Bamboo Cottages, a family owned property at the northern end of the island, has has some real eco cred. Overlooking Vung Bau beach, it's been running on solar energy, completely off the grid, for a year. The manager Charles told me they’ve had to turn on the small diesel generator a few times in emergencies - but basically the sun has been driving the resort’s power needs. Bamboo Cottages has no air-con (many other popular resorts on Phu Quoc, don’t have air-con either - nor do they run on solar) and keeps other facilities in check. But anything it lacks in fancy facilities, it more than compensates in atmosphere. They also provide free spring water to guests in recyclable glass bottles - no more adding to the mountains of plastic piling up on Phu Quoc’s beaches. These guys deserve a medal. Let’s hope their ideas catch on. The financial arguments for solar are already compelling, so expect the solar righteous to increase in number. It’s the guys doing it right now though that really deserve respect. They’re driving the innovation. You can do your bit too. Ask your resort what it’s doing about solar power and plastic bottle waste - especially resorts talking the eco and responsible tourism talk. And if you know more about cool eco initiatives by Vietnamese hotels and resorts, we'd love to hear more.