Adventurous Vietnam holiday

Planet

Many of your excursions are enjoyed by foot, bicycle, cyclo or boat, meaning that environmental impact has been kept to a minimum, whilst offering the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery and striking culture of Vietnam from a relaxing and personal perspective.

Staying in a tent in one of the largest cave systems in the world for one night of your trip reduces your carbon footprint, compared to staying in hotels, as well as offering a chance to reach this spectacular area, hours deep in to the National park, away from the main tourist route.

You have a few days at leisure to discover sleepy towns and stunning scenery by foot or bicycle, rather than additional touring days by car. Vietnam is a peaceful country best enjoyed in tranquility with the locals and these days ensure you relax in to the pace of life here.

Our suppliers are focused on improving sustainability and reducing plastic waste. We are working together with them and the local guides to offer refillable water bottles and reduce offers of other single-use items such as wet wipes or straws on a more widespread basis.

It is worth also mentioning the things we have chosen NOT to include – such as Halong Bay. Many people would consider this to be a highlight of Vietnam, but we do not feel that the current overcrowding on the bay makes this a responsible option. Despite being UNESCO protected the bay is becoming polluted and rubbish-strewn in part, so for a truly responsible itinerary we would not include this.

People

We strive to use local, family-owned excursion and accommodation providers in country, committing to preservation of their culture and community as well as providing employment opportunities for many local people. On this journey you will travel through the length of Vietnam, visiting lesser known areas and helping to boost the economy of the local communities by bringing responsible tourism to their villages and national parks. The experience is immersive, adventurous and educational, whilst giving back to those that share their stories with you along the way and enjoying the opportunity to connect with locals in a way that modern tourism often doesn't allow.

During your trip you will spend time in a homestay with a local host family. The homestay is built in the traditional architecture and is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the culture and lives of your host family. Not only will this give you more of an insight into Vietnamese life but you will also be contributing to the local economy by staying in a local family owned homestay.

There are so many wonderful textiles, crafts and home wares to buy in this region and by buying from carefully selected organizations that we can recommend you can help support local communities and their skills. For example, Craftlink, a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to assist small Vietnamese producers develop their businesses and find market opportunities. Many of the poorer and more marginalized people of Vietnam, such as the hill tribe minorities and street children, are being left behind by the economic miracle that is sweeping Vietnam. This shop provides a retail outlet for the many people to sell their textiles and crafts and are paid fairly for their work and encourages the conveyance of the traditional skill to the next generation therefore preserving textile skills for the future.