For those planning a visit to Vietnam, you’ll be pleased to discover that the eco-friendly spirit is alive and well in the country of almost 100 million people. Here are Quang Dai’s tips for an eco-friendly trip through Vietnam.
Go off the beaten track
The best way to enjoy a more authentic experience of a local place and culture is to veer away from the crowded tourist spots. Spending time in nature or roaming the streets so that you can have a feel of what it is like to live like a local.
Visit national parks and marine sanctuaries
There are currently 34 national parks scattered across Vietnam. Cuc Phuong, the country’s oldest, is where you’ll find millennia-old trees and prehistoric caves. UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang is home to some of the largest caves in the world.
Cuc Phuong National Park (Photo: Booking.com)
According to Quang Dai, visiting these protected areas will help in raising awareness about and conserving the endangered species that live in the parks. “The money spent here is put to good use as well, for conservation activities and supporting the local communities,” he said.
Avoid single-use plastics
One of the biggest sources of waste is single-use food and beverage containers. In Vietnam, it’s easy to bring a bottle and refill at pit-stops or simply dine in (instead of doing takeout).
“If you’re having street food, why not look out for vendors with biodegradable packaging and support them instead?” he suggested, noting that all these little actions add up and will go a long way.
Choose businesses that champion sustainability
According to Quang Dai, there is a wide variety of eco-friendly brands to be found in Saigon, including Lai Day Refill Station - a green lifestyle shop that offers handmade, eco-friendly homecare and personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner and soap.
Lai Day Refill Station is a green lifestyle shop that offers handmade, eco-friendly homecare and personal care products (Photo: Booking.com)
Another his favourite is Du Du Xanh Vegetarian Restaurant, which is set within a charming French villa and serves an array of beautifully crafted plant-based dishes. “Whenever I feel a need to detox my mind and body, this is my go-to restaurant for beautifully crafted and delicious vegetarian cuisine,” he shared.
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 luxurious sustainability.
The room features eco-friendly lighting and 100% cotton-made bedding, and all the amenities are fully refillable, with zero plastic containers in sight.
Tran Quang Dai is among the five new personalities of Booking.com’s second edition of its Booking Explorers campaign, which features a series of powerful stories by leading personalities in Asia Pacific to re-ignite travel inspiration once more.
The other four names in the campaign are former MasterChef Australia grand finalist Simon Toohey, Bollywood actor and Mumbai native Shanaya Kapoor, Korean artist My Q, and Japanese supermodel Ai Tominaga.
