Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
Environment
Halong Bay: The junks we use in Halong Bay actively fund & implement environmental initiatives with a specific local floating fishing village in Bai Tu Long Bay that you will visit and learn more about on your tour.
The Halong Bay project takes place in Vung Vieng fishing village, where many families live. The campaign is to encourage local people and nearby businesses to collect litter and protect the appearance and ecology of Ha Long Bay at the community level. On the day the campaign was launched, 50 rubbish bins were given to families living in this village. More importantly, the project focuses on education and communication in hopes that all the locals will soon realize the benefit of conservation.
In addition to the environmental issues, they are working hard in seeking support to help build schools and create job opportunities for the local people here. A community house in Vung Vieng fishing village was built in order to accommodate tourists and provide local people with jobs.
Luang Prabang: Exploring Luang Prabang on foot and bicycles.
Community
Mai Chau Lodge – this lodge was built in active consultation with local community and employs all locals from hill tribes in the region providing them with hospitality training. Ingredients for the restaurant are sourced locally wherever possible. Locals are also given employment through presenting traditional dance performances, which in turn help to preserve and keep alive cultural traditions.
Cultural exchange experience through the local home dinner in Saigon: Meeting local people is the fastest way to understand the culture of the area. Unlike western meals where bread, potato, soup are the main dishes, Vietnamese people use rice and noodle as their main dishes which reflects its agricultural civilization. Joining a local family dinner, you will not only understand the Vietnamese cuisine but also their culture, life style and history. You will have a chance to try your hands at cooking which will give you an unforgettable experience.
All tour guides, plus staff onboard the junk and guides used throughout the trip are locally employed.
All guests are emailed our Responsible Travel guidelines policy prior to travel and guides are also fully trained in this. We donate to many local charities, such as funding a nutrition program at Binh Luc Orphanage and sponsoring an annual trip to Halong Bay for underprivileged disabled children & their families from ‘Blue Dragon’. We hold an annual medical trek with local & international doctors and medical students into the hill tribes of Northern Vietnam, and organise many volunteer projects such as building wells & housing in Agent Orange affected communities and teaching English.
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