From Garden to Guest: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Earns Second Consecutive EarthCheck Silver Certification

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam has been awarded EarthCheck Silver Certification for the second consecutive year, recognising the resort's holistic approach to sustainability, where environmental stewardship, cultural preservation and community engagement are woven into both the guest experience and daily operations.

Set along the pristine shores of Ha My Beach near the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An, the award-winning Resort has cultivated a sustainability philosophy rooted in the belief that meaningful luxury is inseparable from caring for the people, culture and ecosystems that surround it.

"Receiving EarthCheck Silver Certification for a second consecutive year is an important milestone, but what makes us most proud is the collective impact behind it," says Marcel Oostenbrink, General Manager. "From the produce grown in our gardens and served in our restaurants to the students we support through education initiatives and the local traditions we help preserve, sustainability is not a program at The Nam Hai. It is part of who we are."

A Living Ecosystem, From Garden to Guest

At the heart of the Resort's sustainability journey lies a flourishing living ecosystem that connects gastronomy, wellness, biodiversity and education.

What began as a modest herb patch has evolved into a thriving herb and vegetable garden supplying fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables and edible flowers to the resort's restaurants, bars and spa. Guests enjoy ingredients ranging from butterfly pea flower and sugarcane to pumpkin, kale, papaya, dragon fruit and jackfruit, creating a direct connection between the land and the guest experience. Built around regenerative gardening principles, the garden incorporates crop rotation, seasonal planting, native species and biological pest-management practices, while nearly 80 percent of the resort's 35-hectare (86-acre) grounds are dedicated to gardens and green spaces that support pollinators and other beneficial species.

A standout feature is the Resort's Orchid House, where vibrant blooms are cultivated year-round for floral displays across the property, reducing reliance on externally sourced flowers while celebrating one of the resort's most distinctive visual signatures. Together with garden walks, planting activities, garden-to-table cooking classes and the Young Guardians of the Earth program, the gardens provide guests of all ages with opportunities to learn about sustainability firsthand.

Supporting these efforts is a closed-loop composting program that transforms kitchen scraps, coconut husks and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost returned to the soil, creating a circular system where one season's harvest helps nourish the next. More than 1,000 tons of organic material are processed annually through the program.

Turning Waste into Resources

Across the Resort, waste is viewed not as an endpoint but as a resource with the potential for a second life. Food waste is diverted through partnerships with local farming communities, green waste is composted and reused in the gardens, glass is crushed and repurposed for internal applications, used cooking oil is recycled through local partners and landscaping materials are reused throughout the property. The resort also works closely with key suppliers to replace single-use plastic packaging with reusable containers and more sustainable alternatives. These initiatives are supported by comprehensive waste segregation, employee training and continuous monitoring programs.

Investing in the Future of Quang Nam

The Nam Hai's commitment extends beyond its physical footprint. Through scholarship programs for students facing financial hardship, fundraising initiatives such as Walk for Education, and other community development efforts, the resort continues to invest in educational opportunities and long-term positive impact for local communities.

Preserving Culture Through Meaningful Experiences

As part of its sustainability vision, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai actively celebrates and protects the cultural heritage of Central Vietnam. Alongside traditional experiences such as lantern making and conical hat embroidery, guests can explore the region through immersive experiences including Hoi An Hidden Gems, an insider journey into local crafts and cuisine, and Wet Rice Farm Culture, which introduces visitors to the agricultural traditions that have shaped life in the region for generations. By championing authentic cultural exchanges and supporting local artisans, producers and knowledge keepers, the resort helps ensure tourism benefits the communities that sustain it.

Protecting the Natural Environment

Environmental conservation remains central to the Resort's sustainability strategy. Current initiatives focus on preserving native vegetation, creating wildlife-friendly ecological corridors and advancing biodiversity projects such as an upcoming beehive program to support pollinator populations.

The Resort has also introduced its Adopt a Tree, Restore the Riverbank initiative, enabling guests to contribute directly to the regeneration of the Thu Bồn River ecosystem. Under the guidance of WiseOceans and Green Youth Collective, native trees are planted along erosion-prone sections of the riverbank to stabilise soil, protect habitats and strengthen long-term environmental resilience.

A Collective Commitment

Driving these efforts is the Resort's dedicated Green Team, a cross-functional group representing departments across the property. Together, they oversee sustainability goals, employee engagement and ongoing improvements aligned with EarthCheck standards, ensuring that responsible luxury remains at the heart of the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai experience.