First ceremony honouring Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels – 2025
WVR - On December 24, in Hanoi, under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Van Hoa (Culture) Newspaper in collaboration with the Fund for Tobacco Harm Prevention (Ministry of Health) and related units organized the first ceremony honouring "Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels" – 2025.
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| Mr. Nguyen Anh Vu, Editor-in-Chief of Van Hoa Newspaper, speaks at the first ceremony honouring "Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels" – 2025. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
This is the first time Vietnam has organized a nationwide ranking specifically for the hotel sector, aiming to honor pioneering units in creating smoke-free service environments, contributing to public health protection and enhancing the image of a civilized, safe, and friendly Vietnamese tourism.
The "Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels" ranking program – 2025 is organized to concretize the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and the Government's directives, while also realizing Vietnam's international commitments upon joining the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
The program aims to identify, select, and honor exemplary hotels that have strived to build smoke-free environments, thereby motivating the entire industry to participate.
In the long term, the program seeks to establish a widespread smoke-free hotel movement, improve the quality of accommodation services, and affirm Vietnam's green – clean – beautiful tourism brand, protecting public health.
Beyond awarding titles, the ranking also asserts every citizen's right to live in a smoke-free environment; encourages smokers to reduce or quit; and provides reassurance and confidence for both domestic and international tourists choosing Vietnam.
On October 3, 2025, the program was launched in Hanoi. Participants include hotels/tourist accommodation establishments rated 3 stars or higher nationwide. Registration documents include a participation form, a self-assessment based on the scoring criteria, a commitment letter, and supporting documents.
The organizing committee issued the regulations and scoring criteria. Hotels are evaluated on a 100-point scale, focusing on criteria such as compliance with smoking bans; maintaining smoke-free spaces; guest communication/guidance; management and supervision mechanisms; and initiatives and models for maintaining a smoke-free environment.
The selection process is conducted in two rounds with the participation of experts in health, tourism, and hospitality, ensuring fairness, objectivity, and transparency.
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| A cultural performance illustrating the harms of tobacco smoke at the ceremony honouring "Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels". (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
Mr. Nguyen Anh Vu, Editor-in-Chief of Van Hoa Newspaper, shared that after the launch and reception period, the organizing committee received 51 applications from 18 provinces and cities.
After two judging rounds, the jury agreed to recognize 44 hotels meeting the criteria to be honoured as "Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels" – 2025 (from 16 provinces and cities), including 10 three-star hotels, 18 four-star hotels, and 16 five-star hotels.
The number of participating applications did not meet initial expectations, partly due to natural disasters and storms in 2025, which led many accommodation establishments to focus on recovery and stabilizing operations.
Recognized hotels will receive certification decisions, recognition plaques, and be introduced and promoted through appropriate media channels. This is also an opportunity for accommodation establishments to affirm their reputation, management capabilities, service quality, and social responsibility towards public health.
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| Ms. Phan Thi Hai, Deputy Director of the Fund for Tobacco Harm Prevention, speaks at the honoring ceremony. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
Ms. Phan Thi Hai, Deputy Director of the Fund for Tobacco Harm Prevention, stated: "The 'Smoke-Free Hotel Ranking' program, organized by the Fund in collaboration with Văn Hóa Newspaper, is a continuation and an important initiative, not only to honor hotels that comply well with legal regulations but also to encourage and spread the spirit of building smoke-free environments throughout the service and tourism industry.
We believe that the program will motivate and encourage hotels to actively participate in the movement to build smoke-free environments, as investing in a smoke-free environment is an investment in employee health, customer experience, and the sustainable value of the brand. This strategy offers dual benefits: protecting the community and enhancing the quality of national tourism services."
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| Representatives of hotels recognized as "Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels" – 2025. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
The organizing committee determined that establishing a "Outstanding Smoke-Free Hotels" ranking system for hotels rated 3 stars or higher nationwide is a necessary step to encourage and honour pioneering units, while spreading the humane message of protecting public health, aiming for a green – clean – civilized tourism environment.
The ranking is envisioned as a foundational activity, to be maintained annually; gradually perfecting the criteria to approach international standards, expanding suitable participants, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of the "smoke-free" commitment.
From the 44 hotels honoured in the first season, the program hopes to continue spreading so that "smoke-free hotels" become a recognized, prioritized, and valued asset in Vietnam's tourism ecosystem.
