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Home >> Responsible Travel We, all members of Little Vietnam Tours, share the same ethics of travel. For us, travel means discovery, challenge and new experiences. A journey of discovery is only successful if it does not destroy what it discovers. We are a traveller before a tour operator. We are educatding ourselves to minimize our impact on the local environment, infrastructure, people, and culture. We all leave footprints in the places we travel, but we can learn to minimize them and reduce their impact. We treat others with the same respect we would ask for in our own community. We really want to transfer the new way of travelling to our customers. We want our customers to share our ethics of travel. We travel for relaxation, fulfilment, discovery, adventure and to learn – rather than simply to tick off "places and things". If we can do that, then responsible travel is for all of us. :>> Little Vietnam Tours is committed to: > Design programmes that bring our customers closer to local cultures and environments. > Use local guides in the destinations our customers visit. This can help them to gain a more grounded perspective of an area, and teach them local etiquette. This can help the guides to earn an income from our customers. > Arrange our customers to eat at locally ran restaurants where serves typical local food, rather than ones owned by foreigners. • Suggest our customers with unique/boutique hotels owned by local people, rather than international hotels. > Create more jobs and bring income directly to local people. > Educate and train all employees in environmental issues and the environmental effects of their activities. > Equip our customers with basic knowledge of local culture, laws and customs before they arrive. :>> Be Little Vietnam Tours' customers, PLEASE Help us to protect our environment by: > Don't buy souvenirs made from wild animal products, including skins, ivory or bone. > Always try and use local energy and water as efficiently as possible in line with local practices. > Don’t leave taps running or use water intensive practices. > Check that any soaps or detergents you use are biodegradable, always washing dishes and utensils away from streams and lakes. > Never ever litter. Find a bin or recycle it. Try not to bring any superfluous containers or packaging that you do not intend to take back home. > Never put rubbish bags down beside a garbage bag or pile of rubbish sacks as wild animals are more likely to tear them open and disperse the rubbish. Bottles and cans can seriously injure animals. > Don't visit circuses, festivals and carnivals where performing animals are used. :>> Try to acquaint yourself with our culture by: > Learn some of our language. A simple words of "Xin chao" (Hello!) and "Cam on" (Thank you!) can help you to break down barriers. > Dress appropriately. In a conservative culture like ours, don't flaunt your flesh and try to be neat and clean - it's only respectful. • Take your behavioural cues from the locals and, if in doubt, ask your local guides and try to see things from the locals' point of view. > We rely on a culture of bargaining. Bargaining should be done in good humour and even though you will inevitably be paying an inflated price. Bear in mind that a small amount to you, can represent a day's food or more to the vendor. And bargain in the spirit of the situation, not as a means of competition. > Begging always presents a difficult situation for you. You should never give money to beggars. If you want to give, then buy essential goods to hand out like food, water, blankets and toiletries. The most efficient way to help though is by supporting local and charities which can direct your money to the most needy in the most cost effective manner. > When purchasing souvenirs try and buy from local markets and handcrafts so that the money goes directly to local businesses. > Eat in local restaurants and cafes too as far as possible, rather than western imports selling the staple of burgers and chips, as these can threaten the livelihood of local restaurants. :>> Help us to protect local communities by: > Always try to use local services, rather than external tour companies and services. > When booking accommodation, think about staying in bed and breakfasts or locally ran hotels and hostels, rather than international names. > Eat where the locals do, not only will this give you a better insight to the cuisine of the area you’re visiting, but it will also help to support the local economy. > Always respect local laws and customs. > Always avoid any contact with drugs. Do not get involved with drugs. > Buy locally made crafts and artifacts direct from the source, i.e. local markets and shops rather than from hotel lobbies and airport departure lounges where little of the original money will go to the community. |
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