Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia small group holiday

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Throughout Vietnam we try where ever possible to use small locally owned hotels that reflect the character. We work in partnership with our local in-country ground agents to introduce environmental policies which help to conserve water usage and energy expenditure. We cut down carbon emissions on this trip by using low carbon methods of travel such as cycling, rail and boat rides where possible, examples of this are in the Mekong Delta and Ha long Bay where we travel by boat and Hoi An where we travel around by bicycle. On this trip we have also chosen not to use any internal flights to travel the long distances within Vietnam and to Cambodia, instead making use of Vietnam's excellent public railway network.
As a travel company we are acutely aware of our impact on the environment. All of our tours display a carbon footprint, and we strive to reduce our emissions by regularly reviewing our tours and embracing low-impact styles of travel such as trains, public buses or walking – which offer the added benefit of getting a closer connection with the destination and local community.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Vietnam is a cultural treasure trove, offering up several UNESCO World Heritage sites like the ancient traders town of Hoi An and the turquoise waters of Halong Bay. When we visit these fascinating sights not only do we learn about Vietnam’s rich history and diverse culture, but our entrance fees help to contribute to the upkeep of these special places, ensuring they are looked after for generations to come. Cambodia is a country with a difficult past and the more recent influx of tourists has brought with it not only much needed foreign revenue but also ecological and environmental issues. The Tourism Industry in Cambodia is starting to look at responsible travel in more depth but it has been slow progress. The country is considered to be one of the most environmentally vulnerable in Asia, having lost a large percentage of its natural rain forest through illegal logging with resulting soil erosion adding to the difficulties experienced by local people. We encourage our guests to carry refillable water bottles which can be purchased from us before the trip. This reduces the need to purchase single use plastic bottles and more and more of our customers are joining in.

We strive to support nature and biodiversity through protection and regeneration projects, and for every customer that travels with us we make a donation to Rewilding Britain and Cool Earth.

We encourage customers to avoid single-use plastic on tour, and our leaders give advice on refill points each day. Where tap water isn't safe to drink we recommend Water-to-Go bottles, a filtration bottle allowing you to drink water from any source.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

On this trip we stay in small local hotels in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. We also do not include a lot of meals on the trip to ensure that our customers have the opportunity to eat in smaller local restaurants which has a beneficial impact on the local community and a positive environmental impact in that produce is not imported or transported over distance. Hoi An is known for the beautiful lanterns that traverse its narrow streets, glowing a multitude of colours by night. In our free time here we have the option to visit a local lantern factory, where we learn about the skills involved in making lanterns by hand, skills that have been passed down over generations. We even have the chance to buy and make our own, supporting the local artisans and their beautiful craftwork right at the source.

Our leaders are the heart of tours. They bring passion and unrivalled knowledge of the destinations and communities that we visit. Their guidance ensures we observe the cultural norms in a destination, they act as a bridge between travellers and the local community and ensure that tourism is a positive experience for both host and guest. We believe in supporting local; staying in locally-run hotels, exploring markets, buying snacks from street vendors, and by doing this we add money to the local economy and enhance our connection with the local community.

EMPLOYMENT INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSTIY

In Cambodia, we work with a local partner that is Cambodian-owned and Cambodian run, providing employment opportunities for local people. On the trip we also help to support vulnerable communities through business; during our free time in Siem Reap we may choose to visit the land mine museum which helps to support affected families and land mine clearance. In Phnom Penh our Tour Leader will organise a group meal at the ‘Friends’ restaurant, where young people with limited resources are trained on all aspects of running a restaurant. This organisation also has worked with our hotels to ensure children are not exploited in any way.