Press Release
For immediate release
New sustainable tourism project in Vietnam combines female entrepreneurship with cultural and natural heritage preservation
The initiative will create quality jobs, promote women's empowerment, reduce poverty, and preserve cultural and natural heritage in the Highlands region.
Toronto, Montreal, and Hanoi, February 2nd, 2026 – Women who run tourism initiatives independently in Vietnam will soon be able to come together within a single community ecosystem.
TourisLab, a new initiative funded by the Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF) and supported by a collaboration of international partners between the CSIP Social Enterprise (CSIP SE) (Vietnam), Impact ON (Canada), and MT Lab (Canada), is a pooling project that will focus on social entrepreneurship to structure sustainable and inclusive tourism projects in Vietnam.
A recent influx of tourists in the highlands of northern Vietnam has been reshaping the economic landscape in the region, bringing new challenges: structuring tourism as a source of sustainable income, including local populations, and preserving culture and the environment.
Thanks to TourisLab, over the next 18 months, local partners will have the opportunity to undergo applied practical training, personalized support, and participate in expertise exchanges in developing a customized structure for 30 local initiatives with the goal of sustainable growth.
“This project brings partners together around a shared vision: it is possible to combine tourism with social and economic transformation,” said Félix Corriveau, Executive Director of Impact ON. “By supporting women’s leadership and strengthening their economic independence, we are helping to build stronger, more resilient communities,” he added.
Ms. Pham Kieu Oanh, chairwoman of CSIP Social Enterprise, further explained: ” Through the TourisLab initiative, CSIP SE aims to co-create solutions that are practical, context-sensitive, and tailored for women-led tourism enterprises in the project area. We are eager to leverage our existing experience, field insights, and established partnerships in nurturing and expanding this community-based tourism initiative.” “
“At MT Lab, we believe innovation becomes meaningful when it fits a real need,” said Martin Lessard, Executive Director of MT lab. “By supporting this project, we are helping bring forward sustainable and transformative tourism solutions that create lasting benefits for destinations and their communities.”
The TourisLab project was selected by the OIF from among nearly 200 proposals as part of its Destination Éco-Talent project. (https://www.francophonie.org/tourisme-durable-12-projets-soutenus-afrique-de-louest-asie-et-ocean-indien-8092 )
About Impact ON
Impact ON is an organization that supports social impact enterprises in their start-up, growth and financing. By fostering structuring partnerships, Impact ON contributes to a more inclusive, resilient and innovative economy.
More information : impact-on.com
About CSIP Social Enterprise (CSIP SE) :
CSIP SE is a pioneering Vietnamese service provider that supports businesses and communities in developing social innovations and social-impact business models. We offer capacity-building and consultancy in business development; mobilize and connect essential resources to incubate and assist social impact enterprises; deliver the research and coaching on Vietnam-localized Impact Measurement and Management (IMM); and advance the impact investing to support sustainable and scalable social impact.
About MT Lab :
MT Lab is Québec leading open-innovation incubator-accelerator dedicated to tourism, culture, and entertainment. We connect industry leaders with high-potential startups to turn innovative ideas into concrete solutions that strengthen the tourism industry
For more information : www.mtlab.ca
Contact
Impact ON
engagement @impact-on.com
CSIP SE
Pham Kieu Oanh
Chairwoman, CSIP Social Enterprise
phamkieuoanh@csip.vn
MT Lab
Martine Côté
Communication
Martinecote@mtlab.ca
1.418.446.1395