Responsible Travel

Traveling opens our minds and experiences to new horizons, offering us the chance to explore different cultures, landscapes, and ways of life. It is crucial to recognize that traveling can create both positive and negative impacts on the destinations we visit, environmentally, socially, and economically.

As a local tour operator, Chào Asia Travel recognizes our responsibility not only to offer authentic and enjoyable experiences to our clients but also to maximize the positive impacts and minimize the negative effects of tourism in the destinations where we operate. This commitment is essential for the wellbeing of both current and future generations.

1. What  are we doing towards Responsible Travel?

Since our establishment, we have taken small, incremental steps towards sustainable tourism because we believe that today’s efforts can make a significant difference in the future. We follow certain principles and practices about sustainability to ensure our operations contribute to the well-being of the environment, the local communities, and the local cultures.

Wildlife Protection and Environmental-Friendly Travel

• Wildlife Protection: We advocate for sustainable tourism by supporting wild animal sanctuaries across Southeast Asia. We do not promote any activities that exploit animals or harm natural habitats. We strongly oppose the exploitation of animals for tourism purposes such as elephant riding, animal circuses, or the sale of animal leather in shops, etc.
• Conservation Activities: We support and promote tours and activities that focus on environmental conservation and landscape restoration, such as visiting the Bear Sanctuary at Kuangsi Waterfall (Luang Prabang, Laos), exploring National Parks in Indochina, and more. We always remind our clients to act responsibly and strive to conserve these areas as much as possible.
• Environmental Initiatives: We support initiatives and projects aimed at protecting the environment, such as tree planting projects in Vietnam and beach clean-ups in Ha Long and Hai Phong.
• Waste Reduction: We advocate for the reduction of single-use plastics and promote recycling and waste reduction practices. We limit printing papers and the use of plastic bottles as well as food takeaways in the office. We choose environmental-friendly products and materials whenever possible. Our clients are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles to reduce the use of plastic bottles while traveling.
• Eco-Friendly Travel Options: We offer dedicated eco-friendly travel options and encourage our clients to choose sustainable accommodation and transportation whenever possible.

Cultural Respect and Preservation

• Respect for Local Cultures: We emphasize the importance of respecting local cultures, traditions, and customs. Our clients are encouraged to engage with and learn from local communities. We offer specific tour programs with a cultural engagement theme.
• Preserve the Heritage: We support cultural heritage preservation by promoting visits to heritage sites and local cultural events, ensuring that tourism activities do not harm these valuable resources.
• Cultural Awareness: We advise travelers to learn about the local culture and language to foster meaningful interactions and show respect for the host community.

Giving Back to Local Communities

• Local Economic Development: We support the development of the local economy by recommending locally-owned accommodations, restaurants, and other services.
• Socially-Responsible Partners: We prefer to work with socially-responsible partners across the destinations we operate (Indochina). For example, you can dine at or enjoy a cooking class at a restaurant that is also a social enterprise providing training opportunities for disadvantaged and underprivileged youth. You can also enjoy fair-trade coffee at a recommended bakery that provides opportunities for local people and supports local NGOs.
• Support for Social Projects: We support projects like “Nuôi Em”, a social project that provides for underprivileged minority children in northern Vietnam. We also donate to non-profit projects such as “Kỷ yếu trên bản” – a project initiated by a group of photographers who provide photos for children in rural areas so they can keep their memories in a photograph with them.
• Local Products and Services: At the office, we use 100% locally-made products and materials, whether it is tea or coffee, office decorations, or gifts for our clients and partners. In returns, we also encourage our clients and partners to use locally-made products and services, ensuring that tourism revenue directly benefits local communities.
• Respectful Bargaining: We do not promote aggressive bargaining practices. Bargaining is a part of Asian culture; it is necessary when making purchases at shops or from street vendors to avoid being overcharged. However, for small items priced at less than US$ 2, bargaining might not be necessary. Consider this impact on the vendors’ livelihoods. Bargaining is an art, so please consult your local tour guide or our team for further advice.

2. What Responsible Travel standards do we follow?

Chào Asia Travel was licensed and accredited by the Vietnam National Tourism Association (License No. 01-2604/2024/CDLQGVN-GP LHQT).

We are a member of Travelife since April 2024 and we have started the process to work step by step towards complying with international sustainability standards. Travelife for Tour Operators and Travel Agents is internationally recognized and supported by the global travel industry as the preferred sustainability training, management and certification program for sustainability in tourism. Moreover, Travelife standards are formally recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Travelife is a three-stage certification program for tour operators and travel agents:

(1) Travelife Engaged;

(2) Travelife Partner and

(3) Travelife Certified.

We are at stage 1 – Travelife Engaged, and we are still working to move forward to stage 2 – Travelife Partner.

3. Recommendations for Clients to practice Responsible Travel

Chào Asia Travel believes that both tour operators or travel agents and the clients should practice Responsible Travel. Since our establishment, we have set our grounds towards sustainable and responsible practices, and we hope that you – the service users – will also share the same philosophy. Here are some travel tips that you should consider at your goodwill while traveling. You are not required to follow them strictly; however, these can be guidelines for you to enjoy your trip while still leaving positive impacts on the local destinations and for future generations.

Before Travel

• Research the destinations you will visit: Find out about the country’s history, culture, customs, natural environment, advisory notices, etc. This can help prevent any cultural misunderstandings. If possible, check whether your tour operator and the hotels you plan to book have been certified as sustainable or are working towards sustainability.
• Learn a few words of the local language: Your efforts will be appreciated by the local people, and it allows you to make friends and get closer to locals more easily. Simple words like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Thank you,” and “Please” can be useful.
• Packing: Don’t forget to bring a refillable water bottle to avoid overuse of plastic bottles. Laundry service in Indochina is affordable, and it is appreciated to use the service from local laundries, where you can provide income to local service providers.
• Select transportation options: Some means of transportation can create a higher carbon footprint than others; therefore, opt for walking, using public transportation, or environmental-friendly transportation whenever possible.
• Choose sustainable accommodations: Check in advance whether the hotels you plan to stay at have sustainable policies or if they are attempting to run their business sustainably. You can opt to stay in locally-owned and locally-operated hotels if they meet your standards and can provide you with a sense of comfort.

During Travel

• Be selective: Choose tours and activities that prioritize sustainability, such as wildlife conservation, cultural immersion, and eco-friendly tourism. Consider volunteering or donating to local charities and non-profits dedicated to community development, environmental conservation, or cultural preservation.
• Be environmentally aware: Practice reducing, reusing, and recycling. Dispose of waste properly and conserve water and energy wherever you go. Preserve the destinations’ natural and cultural beauty by adhering to designated trails and refraining from removing any artifacts.
• Immerse yourself in local culture: Dress appropriately, learn basic local phrases, and avoid activities that exploit animals or people. Experience local culture by indulging in local foods, exploring markets, and participating in festivals, following the adage, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
• Consider hiring local guides and supporting local businesses during your trip: A local tour guide serves as a cultural ambassador, offering insights into their country’s customs and traditions. By engaging local guides, you not only provide them with employment opportunities but also receive assistance and gain valuable knowledge throughout your journey. Moreover, you can contribute to the local economy by purchasing locally-made products and dining at locally-owned restaurants. These places provide job opportunities for local citizens, and your support helps stimulate economic growth in the region.

After Travel

• Share your trip and experience: In addition to sharing your wonderful travel memories with family and friends, provide them with tips on how they can travel responsibly.
• Share your photos: Use your photos to tell the story of your journey, highlighting the beauty and importance of sustainable travel practices.
• Continue exploring the world: Treat your trip as the beginning of a learning journey. Stay engaged with the issues or regions that captured your attention if possible.