Celebrating the spirit of travel in a more conscious and responsible way
With travel coming back to life, Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel companies, recently launched the second edition of its Booking Explorers campaign, aiming to inspire travelers to rekindle their wanderlust. But as much of the world wants to travel again, we also need to recognize the need for sustainability: from avoiding single-use plastics and making smart, responsible choices when choosing our accommodations, to transforming how and where we travel so that we can impact our impact on the destinations we visit; and hopefully leave our destinations greener than when we first arrived.
Booking explorer Quang Dai shares how travelers can contribute to a greener future while exploring his homeland. In Vietnam, entrepreneur, model and travel blogger Quang Dai is one of the proponents of a greener lifestyle. The intrepid traveler has participated in several environmental movements, including WeDo 2019 and Earth Hour 2020.
“The planet and its offerings belong to our future generations as much as they belong to us,” Quang Dai says. “We always take as much of the planet as we can, we also need to give back through recreation, reuse and recycling. Our current actions ensure a future and a healthy living environment for all species. The planet and its offerings are not ours alone , but of our future generations.”
For those planning a visit to Vietnam, here are Quang Dai’s tips for an eco-friendly Vietnam trip.
1. Get off the beaten track
“I have always found that the best way to enjoy a more authentic experience of a local place and culture is to get away from crowded tourist spots. I’ve always preferred to spend time in nature or roam the streets so I can feel what it’s like to live like a local.”
2. Visit National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries
There are currently 34 national parks spread across Vietnam. In Cuc Phuong, the oldest in the country, you will find thousands of years old trees and prehistoric caves. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Phong Nha-Ke Bang is home to some of the largest caves in the world. Quang Dai says he often encourages people to visit these protected areas as much is being done to raise awareness about and conserve the endangered species that live in the parks. “The money spent here is also put to good use, for conservation activities and supporting the local communities,” he says.
3. Avoid single-use plastics
One of the largest sources of waste is disposable food and beverage packaging. In Vietnam, it’s easy to take a bottle and refill it at pit stops or just dine in (rather than takeout). Quang Dai suggests, “If you have street food, why not look out for vendors with biodegradable packaging and support them instead? All these little actions add up and will go a long way.”
4. Choose companies that champion sustainability
According to Quang Dai, a wide variety of eco-friendly brands can be found in Saigon, including the Lai Day Refill Station, a green lifestyle store that offers handmade, eco-friendly home care and personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner and soap. . “You can even bring your own pots and containers to [be] topped up,” he says enthusiastically.
Another favorite of his is Du Du Xanh Vegetarian Restaurant, which is housed in a charming French villa and serves a range of beautifully crafted plant-based dishes. “When I feel the need to detox my mind and body, this is my go-to restaurant for beautifully crafted and delicious vegetarian dishes,” he tells me.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly place to stay, Quang Dai recommends Hôtel des Art Saigon. This 5-star boutique hotel features the Ecoxury Room, a showcase of what can be done to push the boundaries in luxury sustainability. The room features eco-friendly lighting and 100% cotton bed linen, and all amenities are fully refillable, with no plastic containers in sight. In addition, the hotel group contributes to reforestation projects around the world – since 2009, Accor has planted more than 3 million trees around the world.
