North Vietnam cycling tour, 8 days

Planet

We conduct responsible tours, which means protecting the environment that we operate in. On this tour, we bring clients to visit the most highlights of the mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam—including Ba Be National Park and the remote areas of Cao Bang Province near the Chinese border—where landscapes remain untouched and unaffected by mass tourism development. Our clients are made aware that while visiting these sensitive areas, they should not throw their rubbish away or do anything damaging to the environment.

On our van transfers, we prioritize the use of eco-fuel to minimize carbon emissions. Our drivers are trained to drive in an eco-friendly way—by turning off the engine while waiting at red lights and maintaining the air-conditioning at a sustainable level.

Besides the standard hotels in towns like Cao Bang, we utilize basic guest houses and homestays, such as those in Ba Be National Park, which are traditional houses of ethnic minority people. We advise the local communities on tourism issues and suggest using local materials like bamboo and rattan to renovate their houses. Moreover, we encourage them to reduce the use of plastic products, save water, and reuse water in daily activities.

People

At the guest houses and homestays, we use local products such as fresh vegetables and meat sourced directly from the community. We encourage our hosts to cooperate with neighboring villagers to supply foodstuff for tourists, ensuring the economic benefits are shared. We also employ locals to serve as local guides whenever specialized regional knowledge is needed.

Additionally, in towns like Cao Bang and Lang Son, we choose restaurants owned by locals. These are the ways we share the benefits of tourism with the people at the sites and neighboring regions. We train the locals in hospitality—how to welcome guests, provide quality meals, and prepare sleeping arrangements for international tourists.

Each community in the North, such as the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic minorities, has an individual and unique culture. We encourage them to preserve their traditions and customs and proudly show them to our guests.

During the tour, our guide provides information about the people, customs, and habits of the communities visited. This helps our guests interact with the locals through chatting and sharing meals, resulting in a warm and authentic welcome for our travelers.