First Hotel is well-known as one of the leading hotels using energy effectively in Ho Chi Minh City. First Hotel is ideally located near the international airport of Tan Son Nhat and major exhibition, sport, entertainment centers of the City.
Due to grasp demands of customers, save costs and increase business efficiency, since 1998, First Hotel has begun to be constructed and repaired towards the green hotel model through activities as improving operational efficiency, saving electricity, reducing costs and protecting environment. The green and clean environment not only creates a beautiful landscape but also ensures the health of visitors and the community.
In 2003, the hotel participated in developing ISO 14000 - Environmental Certification - starting from March 2002 with Asia Invest project - scheduled to last within 18 months. This was a project sponsored by EU for 15 hotels and resorts that belong to Saigontourist Holding Company. Asia Invest is a program to “green” the hotel industry in Vietnam and set up the quality management of ISO 14000 for Saigontourist – a program of significant importance in attracting customers, creating business efficiency, towards sustainable tourism environment. After a long period of implementation, the hotel has officially received ISO 14000 certification in 2005 and after that, the ISO 14001.
With the goal of using energy efficiently, the hotel urged customers to participate in saving water, reusing towels and sheets which are still clean, setting up air-conditioner temperature appropriate with body temperature; trained employee awareness of saving electricity and water, classifying waste to recycle …
In 2011, the First Hotel joined in the contest "Energy Efficiency Buildings" in the framework of the national target program on efficiency energy saving, and won the first prize thanks to its outstanding design. The hotel replaced about 788 incandescent, halogen lights by compact, fluorescent lights; cut down the lights which are not necessary; used water boiling system by solar energy; monitored and controlled electricity consumption …
Every year, hotels also involved in the "Earth Hour" –which has received enthusiastic responds from customers and hotel staff.
Thanks to efforts to develop an environmentally friendly hotel brand in the past years, the entire area of the hotel was covered by a cool green. This is not just about aestheticism for the entire building but also helps to keep water, regulate air and cool surrounding environment.
Translated by Thu Giang (TITC)
