ViCo Circle: Sustainable Tourism & Hospitality

About ViCo Circle

ViCo Circle is a monthly conversation-based gathering for working professionals and entrepreneurs building a more resilient and sustainable future for Vietnam at the ViCo Community. We exchange knowledge across diverse topics: from urban regeneration, circular economy, and food systems to working culture, brand-building, and financing impact-driven projects. This is because sustainability is systemic and integrated. ViCo Circle is kept intentionally small, 15 to 25 people; so that after listening to our guest speakers, there is real time to talk, ask questions, and build genuine and quality connections with others in the room.

About November Edition: Sustainable Tourism & Hospitality

As Vietnam transitions from volume-based tourism to long-term destination stewardship, the country is redefining its growth model in line with a Net-Zero 2050 pledge. This ViCo conversation wants to cut through greenwashing to look at how sustainable hospitality across Asia’s fastest-evolving travel hub can be actualized. We want to feature an industry pioneer at the front lines of this systemic shift, the session offers participants a candid look into the structural friction points, financial returns, and strategic opportunities within Vietnam's green transition. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the speaker through an open Q&A and group reflection.

Speakers

Miquel Àngel

Founder & CEO of MQL Sustainable Tourism Services

Regional Director International Alliance on Regenerative Tourism

As Founder and CEO of MQL Sustainable Tourism Services and Regional Director for the International Alliance of Regenerative Tourism, Miquel Àngel advises organizations on ESG implementation. Having spent 27 years supporting Vietnam's sector, he focuses on practical operational improvement.

He discusses how international standards and sustainability strategies drive long-term value for destinations. His perspective offers an insightful look at strengthening leadership capabilities across the industry.

Eric Olmedo

Director of the Center of Innovation, Transdisciplinary Research & Consultancy (CITRAC)

Director of the UEF International Institute

Senior Advisor for the Faculty or Hospitality and Tourism for the University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

As Director of CITRAC)and the UEF International Institute, Eric Olmedo advises multilateral organizations like the World Bank on workforce development and capacity building. His recent work across Thailand and Vietnam centers on poverty alleviation, regenerative tourism, and sustainable food systems.

He is sharing insights on aligning local development with community-driven tourism strategies. His background brings a clear perspective on building local capacity to support long-term regional impact.

Nguyen Cong Minh Bao

National representative of Travelife in Vietnam

Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Green Transition Consulting & Training

In his roles as Travelife's National Representative in Vietnam and Co-Founder of Green Transition Consulting & Training, Nguyen Cong Minh Bao helps tourism supply chains meet rigorous global sustainability standards. He works on leadership at GRI and EuroCham to translate high-level international criteria into practical local solutions.

Bao focuses on transforming sustainable tourism principles into measurable economic and social value. He offers actionable steps for embedding circular practices into your day-to-day operations.