Responsible Tourism in Vietnam

Our school will be going on 3 day/2 night field trips in April, and I’ll be chaperoning the upperclassmen. I’d like to connect our trip to ecotourism and/or oral storytelling, so I’ve spent some time browsing for tour companies that offer homestays and hold to principles of ethical and responsible travel. Here are some I’ve come across that seem worth checking out. Most are members of the Responsible Travel Club of Vietnam.

(Above photo: Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which I would not recommend as an example of ethical travel!)

1. Active Travel Asia
Focused on adventure sports.

2. Aurora Travel
Focus on luxury travel and MICE.

3. Footprints Vietnam
I’m most interested in checking out this company for our school trip, although their listed offerings in the south are limited. They have put together custom volunteer and educational trips for groups.

4. I Love Vietnam
Travel co-op that has a partnership with an organization that works with street children.

5. Indochina Travelland
Tours in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.

6. Sisters Tours
Luxury and family travel options.

7. Tonkin Travel
Not a lot of detail about itineraries and prices on the website.

8. Vietnam Discovery
Great prices for multi-day group tours. Lots of options.

9. Vietnam Ecotourism
Website offers a limited number of tours but is useful for general information about ecotourism and sustainable tourism in Vietnam. Also offers some “green” accommodation options around Vietnam.