Longing for more value out of your visit to Vietnam? With the belief that there is no better way of receiving than giving first, we write you a guide on how to support local communities when visiting Vietnam. You don’t have to go to any great lengths in order to assume the responsibility, though, it takes only simple, individual actions to achieve positive outcomes.
How to Support Local Communities when Visiting Vietnam
Support the local businesses when visiting Vietnam
Tourism provides a large income for most Vietnamese provinces, especially rural ones. By supporting local businesses, and shopping in local markets, for example, you can increase the substantial development of Vietnam’s tourism and economy. The more visitors use local services, the better the quality is enhanced. Furthermore, getting to know the locals can offer the best experience you can ask for on your trip. Here are a few ways you can help the local economies.
Purchase locally-made merchandise
Souvenirs are a good reminder of places you’ve been to. Vietnam has plenty of traditional handicraft villages, and their products are of incredible finesse. Buying these plays a crucial in promoting the local cultures and traditional businesses.
Vietnam has many traditional handicraft villages
Hire local tour guides
Put aside the agony of poor trip planning by hiring a local tour guide. They can know exactly where to go and what you should do for the most unique experience. This is the perfect way how to support local communities when visiting Vietnam carefree.
A local tour guide adds fun to a memorable experience
Go off the beaten track with the help of a local tour guide
Choose local accommodations
Homestays are becoming increasingly preferable for visitors when going to Vietnam. There’s no need to pay a large amount at a fancy hotel when you can opt for a cozy homestay (usually with homemade foods!). The locals can earn their daily income from this type of accommodation, too.
How to Support Local Communities when Visiting Vietnam: Minimize Your Carbon Footprints
Enjoy the most while leaving the least impact possible on the environment. Millions of tourists flock to Vietnam each year, and for every careless traveler, nature is put on the edge of pollution. Choosing environmental-friendly approaches during your visit can immensely benefit the country’s nature conservation.
Complete guide: Responsible Travel in Vietnam
Say no to plastic
It is quite hard to practice in Vietnam since the country’s consumer culture is heavily based on plastic packaging and wrappers. However, you can take the matter into your own hands by bringing your own shopping bags, or reduce the use of plastic cups and straws by dining in at the restaurant rather than ordering takeaways.
Turn down plastic straws and plastic bags if possible
Avoid products made from animals
Take special caution when you are traveling in jungle areas, where street vendors will try to sell grilled meat of exotic jungle animals or products made from animal skin. Those offers all seem very inviting, and most of them are not illegal in Vietnam, but such actions seriously threaten wildlife. Saying no to these items is a significant contribution to protecting the ecosystem.
Try your best to avoid products made from animals
How to Support Local Communities when Visiting Vietnam: Take Part in Volunteering
More and more tourists nowadays are looking to deliver value to the community on their travels. Volunteering in Vietnam varies in many forms. You can visit villages for handicapped children or join in building a school for children in remote areas. Tourism is not about personal bliss anymore; it is rather about sharing joy with those in need. Consequently, trips like this always end with so much more than you have bargained for.
Volunteering is a meaningful way of traveling
Conclusion on How to Support Local Communities when Visiting Vietnam
Being considerate of your travel is not going to lessen the fun by any means. On the contrary, shouldering the responsibility in the small actions you do can enrich your travel in a way you have never thought of.