Vietnam holidays, tailor made

Planet

Carbon Reductions

Throughout this journey, carbon-reducing initiatives are embedded to minimize the environmental impact of travel. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An incorporate eco-friendly practices, from bicycle tours in Hanoi’s rural areas to guided walks in Hoi An’s ancient streets. Instead of relying solely on traditional fuel-based transport, visitors enjoy cycling, walking, and even rowing in bamboo boats around Lan Ha Bay. In addition, the Adela Boutique cruise employs sustainable tourism practices by using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients for meals, reducing reliance on imported goods, and supporting the local economy. By partnering with accommodations that uphold eco-friendly principles, like hotels with water and energy-saving systems, and maintaining a smaller environmental footprint on excursions, the itinerary reduces emissions without compromising cultural depth. These steps contribute meaningfully toward Vietnam’s larger goals of reducing tourism-related carbon emissions and enhancing the visitor experience in a low-impact way.

Environment and Wildlife

Vietnam’s diverse landscapes, from the limestone karsts of Lan Ha Bay to the lush forests of My Son Sanctuary, harbor unique ecosystems and species. The carefully curated itinerary emphasizes responsible interactions with these environments, fostering environmental awareness. For example, activities like kayaking and swimming in the bay are done under strict eco-guidelines to avoid disturbing the natural surroundings, particularly in sensitive habitats where aquatic species thrive. In the Mekong Delta, guests are encouraged to observe, not disrupt, the life cycles of native plants and animals, including bees and fish at eco-friendly farms. By incorporating educational segments on wildlife conservation and local fishing practices, such as the sustainable harvesting methods of Mekong Ecolodge, travelers gain an appreciation for Vietnam’s rich natural heritage. By treading lightly, visitors contribute to the preservation of these ecosystems, ensuring that future generations can experience Vietnam’s wild beauty and biodiversity.

We have built strong links with local communities, craftspeople, artists, singers and musicians who are maintaining threatened traditions. During our tailor made Vietnam holidays we offer visitors an opportunity to meet them, thereby valuing their activities and thus helping towards their survival.

For example, you'll contribute to sustaining traditional calligraphy, an art form under threat of extinction.

On these Vietnam holidays you'll also meet local people and enjoy a meal in a 'garden house' in Hue. In Ho Chi Minh City, you'll see the complicated process of making traditional lacquerware in a local workshop. At Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta, the local people will welcome an opportunity to perform their traditional Tai Tu music for you.

Wherever possible, we contract local indigenous suppliers for these Vietnam holidays and assist them to improve the quality of their services. By booking this tour, you'll be helping us to support Vietnamese service providers, artists and performers, small businesses, boat owners and other poor people in communities throughout Vietnam.

We use local freelance guides with wide experience and knowledge of cultural traditions and an ability to interpret the cultural heritage of the people in the places visited. For these Vietnam holidays, you'll have about four different guides from various provinces of Vietnam.

We are working closely with a small project in Vietnam trying save a critically endangered species of large primate, now reduced to less than sixty individuals world-wide. We're seeking financial assistance to supplement the meagre resources currently available to the project director while we help her to develop her own web site.

We are also collaborating with an international non-governmental organisation in setting up an ecology based village homestay network in the same area to widen awareness of the urgency of the situation amongst visitors.

People

Local Economy and Employment

Supporting local economies and creating job opportunities are central to this tour’s impact goals. Throughout the itinerary, guests visit family-run businesses in Bat Trang, Mekong Delta farms, and artisan shops in Hoi An, directly contributing to small, often family-owned, enterprises. The inclusion of workshops and visits, such as those to a traditional brick kiln and a water hyacinth weaving center, enables artisans to sustain livelihoods while preserving cultural crafts. Additionally, the Adela Boutique cruise, which employs local crew members, boosts local income by providing employment in regions heavily reliant on tourism. As the demand for these skilled roles increases, there’s a positive ripple effect, enhancing community stability. This itinerary provides both locals and visitors with mutually beneficial cultural exchanges, enabling locals to proudly share their craft and heritage while achieving economic resilience.

Inclusivity and Diversity

This itinerary emphasizes Vietnam’s cultural diversity and encourages inclusivity by engaging travelers with distinct cultural backgrounds and indigenous groups. In Hanoi, visitors are introduced to the country’s rich history at the Temple of Literature and through traditional Quan Ho music, a designated UNESCO cultural heritage performed by local villagers in Tam Tao. The tour encourages respect for local traditions, which helps preserve and celebrate these heritage practices for future generations. Additionally, in Hoi An, the mixed architecture and multicultural history of the Ancient Town serve as a living reminder of Vietnam’s inclusivity in trade and cultural exchange. By supporting diverse communities, including those in remote areas like the Mekong Delta, the tour promotes an authentic, inclusive experience that transcends typical tourist boundaries, allowing for genuine connections with locals from various backgrounds.