Activity vacation in Vietnam hike, bike & kayak

Planet

In the destinations we visit, we use a "take in, take back out" system in fragile environments, remote areas and national parks. To reduce single use plastic during our trips we often provide reusable bags, encourage the use of reusable water bottles and are working to increase access to places to refill them. Travelers have the option, while kayaking on beautiful Lan Ha Bay, to collect rubbish they may encounter in the water. After collecting this rubbish, they can then join a local environmentalist to create bricks out of the rubbish. The bricks are a great building material and are used on Cat Ba Island.

We encourage our suppliers to adopt more sustainable practices and often select suppliers who already have green practices in place. We choose to stay at Cat Ba Ecolodge during this trip, a property which was constructed from environmentally-friendly materials and is surrounded by a carefully preserved natural setting. The Cat Ba Ecolodge offers a low carbon shuttle bus for guests to travel from the lodge into town and back.

People

We employ predominantly local staff and leaders within our operational teams. We also design and operate our trips to feature local suppliers or suppliers who directly benefit the local community and economy. We offer local people good working conditions, a fair wage and empower them with training opportunities.

We eat at local markets and restaurants to support local businesses and to support the sourcing of local food products.

In Sapa, travelers will experience the work of Sapa O’Chau, a social enterprise which funded the first Hmong homestay and trekking services in the region. Sapa O’Chau was established by Shu Tan, a single mother from the Black Hmong tribe, who dreamed of supporting her community through sustainable tourism. The proceeds of Sapa O’Chau are returned to the local tribes through projects such as providing children with winter clothing and establishing vocational training opportunities.

Our philosophy is to act local and that means respecting the local traditions. This trip includes a night in Ta Van, staying in a homestay with a local ethnic minority, the Giay people. The Giay are famous for their delicate handicrafts and weaving and always welcome our travelers warmly. Over a delicious dinner, cooked by our hosts, travelers have the chance to ask questions and listen to descriptions of daily life for the Giay people.