Responsible Travel Tips

Lux Travel DMC is proud to be a Travelife partner, committed to tourism that protects nature, respects local cultures and benefits the communities we visit. Small choices on the road make a real difference. We kindly invite you to follow these tips during your journey in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Environment

• Say no to wild meat such as bear, muntjac, bat, monkey, pangolin and python. Hunting and trading these animals threaten endangered species and can spread disease.
• Say no to products made from endangered plants or animals, such as ivory, tortoiseshell, rhino horn, coral, wild animal skins or rare timber. Buying them is often illegal and may lead to confiscation or fines at customs.
• Save energy: turn off air-conditioning, fans, lights and other appliances when you leave your room. Reuse towels and bed linen when staying more than one night.
• Save water: take short showers and report leaks to hotel staff.
• Reduce plastic: bring a refillable water bottle, a reusable bag and your own cutlery or straw. Use the free water refill stations offered by your hotel or guide wherever available.
• Protect coral reefs: do not touch, stand on or collect live coral, shells or marine animals. Do not feed fish.
• Choose reef-safe sun protection: cover up with a rash guard and use mineral sunscreens free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
• Leave no trace: take your rubbish with you, sort waste for recycling where bins are provided, and practise the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
• Stay on marked trails when hiking, keep noise to a minimum and do not pick plants or flowers.
• Choose eco-friendly services: stay in accommodation with recognised sustainability certification, and pick low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, kayaking, cooking classes or community-based experiences.
• Travel slower and lower-carbon: stay at least two nights in each destination to experience it more deeply and reduce transfers. Choose trains, shared transfers, bicycles or walking where possible.

Animal welfare

Wild animals belong in the wild. Please enjoy wildlife only where animals can behave naturally.

• Do not ride elephants or join activities where elephants are bathed, chained or trained to perform. Choose observation-only sanctuaries instead.
• Avoid animal shows and performances, such as monkey, bear or snake shows, and venues where animals are kept in poor conditions.
• Do not take selfies with or hold wild animals, such as slow lorises, monkeys, snakes or birds offered by street photographers.
• Do not feed wildlife, and keep a safe, quiet distance when observed animals in nature.
• Do not visit attractions that sell animal products, such as bear bile, snake wine, tiger bone glue or any remedy claiming to contain wild animal parts.
• Choose responsible wildlife operators that follow animal welfare guidelines. If you see an animal being mistreated, please tell your guide or contact us.

Cultural etiquette and dress

Respect local customs

• Learn a little about local culture before you travel and be open to new experiences.
• Learn a few words of the local language, such as xin chào (hello), cảm ơn (thank you) and tạm biệt (goodbye). Every attempt is appreciated.
• Respect cultural differences. Do not judge or try to change local traditions.
• Keep public displays of affection modest, especially in rural areas. Holding hands is generally fine.
• Avoid touching people on the head, which is considered the most sacred part of the body.
• Do not point your feet at people, altars or Buddha images. Use your whole hand, not one finger, to point or beckon.
• Respect ancestral shrines in homes and temples. Avoid backing up to them, pointing your feet at them or changing clothes in front of them.
• Use both hands when giving or receiving something, especially to older people.
• Do not be surprised by personal questions such as your age, marital status, children or income. These are signs of friendly interest.
• Talk with local people and make friends. Vietnamese people are warm and hospitable, and love to hear visitors try their language.

Dress appropriately

• Dress modestly, especially in the countryside and in villages.
• Nude or topless swimming and sunbathing are not acceptable anywhere in Vietnam.
• Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees is comfortable in the heat and respectful everywhere.
• At temples, pagodas and other religious sites, cover your shoulders and knees, remove your shoes and hat before entering, and speak quietly.
• Clothing and shoe sizes in local shops are often smaller than in Western countries, so pack what you need.

Photography and privacy

• Vietnam is a photographer's dream. Always ask permission before photographing people, and respect a refusal with a smile.
• Be especially sensitive with ethnic minority communities. Do not follow or pressure people in traditional dress for the "perfect shot". Videos are even more intrusive.
• Ask a parent or guardian before photographing children, and never share photos of children that show their location or could put them at risk.
• Avoid paying for photos. If you would like to say thank you, buy a handicraft or a drink from the person's stall instead.
• Do not photograph military sites, border areas or people at prayer, funerals or private ceremonies.
• If you promise to send someone a photo, please keep your promise.
• Fly drones only were permitted and with the required authorisation.

Supporting local communities

• Buy local: choose locally made products and services so your spending stays in the community you visit.
• Eat and drink local: try street food, family-run restaurants and seasonal local produce.
• Use local transport and shops, such as cyclos, local markets and small family businesses.
• Hire local guides when visiting protected areas, villages and historical sites. You will learn more, support local jobs and meet local people.
• Choose community-based tourism experiences and homestays that are owned or run by local people.
• Bargain fairly and with a smile. Agree on prices in advance for goods, cyclos and xe ôm (motorbike taxis), but remember a small amount to you may matter a lot to the seller.
• Repay hospitality with a small gift or by buying from your host's business. Avoid paying cash for simple acts of kindness, such as being given directions.
• Take a cyclo ride to see street life up close and support a traditional trade. Some streets are closed to cyclos, so your driver may take an indirect route.

Giving responsibly and street vendors

• Do not give money, sweets or gifts to children in the street. It can keep them out of school and expose them to exploitation. Sweets also harm children's teeth where dental care is limited.
• Do not buy from children selling goods or services, such as postcards or shoeshines, as this encourages child labour. Buy from adult vendors instead.
• Want to help? Give through established organisations. Donate to registered schools, charities or community projects. Ask us for recommendations.
• Do not visit orphanages or volunteer with children on short trips. Orphanage tourism can harm children and separate them from their families.
• Be firm but polite when you are approached by street sellers. A calm "no, thank you" (không, cảm ơn) is enough, even at the end of a long day.

Child protection and relationships

Lux Travel DMC has zero tolerance for the sexual exploitation of children and any form of human trafficking.

• Prostitution is illegal in Vietnam. Do not buy sexual services. These relationships are rarely equal and are often linked to exploitation and trafficking.
• Sexual exploitation of children is a serious crime. Many countries can prosecute their citizens at home for child sex offences committed abroad.
• Report it — don't look away. If you see a child at risk, tell your guide or hotel staff, call Vietnam's national child protection hotline 111 (free, 24/7) or the police on 113. You can also report to the authorities in your home country.
• Be respectful in personal relationships. Vietnam is still a largely traditional society. A relationship with a foreigner can seriously affect a local person's reputation and standing in their community.

Help us improve

Your feedback helps us travel more responsibly. Please tell your guide, complete our feedback form at the end of your trip, or contact us at sales@luxtraveldmc.com if you:

• see anything that harms people, animals or the environment during your trip,
• have ideas to make our tours more sustainable,
• would like to know more about our Travelife commitments.

Thank you for travelling responsibly with Lux Travel DMC.