Vietnam, a mesmerizing country in Southeast Asia, offers a picturesque blend of natural wonders, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. As you delve into the heart of Vietnam, you’ll uncover its hidden gems, immerse yourself in local traditions, and support sustainable travel practices that prioritize the well-being of communities and the environment.

At Free Wheeling Vietnam, we take pride in offering sustainable travel experiences that leave a positive impact on local communities. Our mission is to create unforgettable journeys that are both eco-friendly and culturally immersive. By collaborating with local businesses, minimizing our carbon footprint, and supporting meaningful initiatives, we ensure that your adventure in Vietnam is not only enriching but also sustainable.

1. Sustainable Travel: Making a Positive Impact

Supporting Local Communities

When you travel with Free Wheeling Vietnam, you become part of a responsible tourism movement. We prioritize local communities by traveling in small groups, staying at locally owned and managed establishments, and engaging with local leaders. By supporting community-run initiatives, we enable you to have authentic and respectful interactions with the locals, gaining deeper insights into their way of life.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

Environmental sustainability is at the core of our travel philosophy. In 2022, we introduced carbon footprint measurements for all our tours. We are committed to reducing our carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, with a 7% reduction target for this year. To achieve this, we have eliminated domestic flights, introduced rail journeys, and worked closely with our suppliers to make greener choices. By collaborating with our global partners, we aim to inspire a collective effort toward carbon reduction in the travel industry.

Partnering with Klimate for Carbon Removal

To go beyond traditional offsetting, we have partnered with Klimate, an organization that focuses on carbon removal projects. Klimate manages a carefully selected portfolio of projects aimed at lowering the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere. For every person who travels with us, we make a contribution to Klimate, ensuring that your journey contributes to the restoration of our planet’s natural balance.

Donating to Rewilding Britain

As a UK-based company, we are passionate about protecting the natural environment on our doorstep. Recognizing that the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries, we have partnered with Rewilding Britain. For every customer who travels with us, we make a donation to support their efforts in restoring and protecting the British wildlife. Together, we can make a difference and preserve the beauty of our local landscapes.

2. The Explore Foundation: Empowering Communities Worldwide

Supporting Grassroots Projects

At Free Wheeling Vietnam, we believe in creating a positive impact beyond tourism. That’s why we established the Explore Foundation, a registered charity managed by an independent Board of Trustees. Through this foundation, we identify and support projects in countries visited by our customers, targeting poverty reduction, increased access to education and healthcare, and conservation efforts. With the Explore Foundation, we ensure that your travel experience contributes to the well-being of communities worldwide.

Lone Buffalo in Laos

One of the projects close to our hearts is Lone Buffalo in Laos. This initiative focuses on empowering local youth through education and sports. By supporting Lone Buffalo, we enable young people in Laos to develop essential life skills, pursue education, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

One Bike in Tanzania

Another project we are proud to support is One Bike in Tanzania. This initiative aims to improve access to education for children in remote areas by providing bicycles. By donating to One Bike, we help children overcome transportation barriers, enabling them to attend school regularly and access educational opportunities that can transform their lives.

3. Sustainable Practices at Free Wheeling Vietnam

A Zero Waste Building

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our travel experiences to our own operations. At our head office, we have implemented sustainable practices to minimize waste and reduce our environmental impact. We work with a specialist waste company to ensure effective recycling and eco-friendly waste disposal. Our office is equipped with solar panels, and we prioritize renewable energy providers. We also use plant-based cleaning products to minimize our ecological footprint.

Promoting Sustainable Staff Transport

We encourage our staff to embrace sustainable transportation options through our low-carbon staff transport policy. Employees can claim additional days’ leave when they choose lower carbon transport options for personal trips and holidays. Additionally, we have installed electric vehicle chargers at our office and are collaborating with Octopus on an electric vehicle scheme for staff. Our existing Cycle to Work scheme and contribution towards rail fares further promote sustainable commuting practices.

Marketing with Sustainability in Mind

In our marketing efforts, we prioritize sustainability. We have reduced the size and print runs of our brochures, opting for by-request brochures and digital access. By minimizing our paper consumption, we contribute to forest conservation. Our exhibition stands are designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing recycled materials and reusing equipment to reduce waste. We collaborate with partners who share our values, such as Good Loop, a platform that generates profits for charity through clicks. Transparency is a key aspect of our marketing strategy, as we aim to keep our customers informed about our sustainability initiatives and the causes we support.

4. Animal Protection and Responsible Tourism

At Free Wheeling Vietnam, we prioritize animal protection and responsible tourism practices. We have implemented an Animal Protection Policy in collaboration with ANIMONDIAL and Wild Welfare. This policy ensures that our trips adhere to a no-contact policy with animals and promotes ethical interactions.

To ensure the well-being of animals, we have implemented a traffic light system that categorizes every interaction we have with animals on our trips. This system is independently audited annually, providing assurance that our tours prioritize the conservation of wildlife and the preservation of their natural habitats.

5. Planting Trees for a Greener Future

Partnering with Ecologi

As part of our commitment to combat climate change, we have partnered with Ecologi. Ecologi invests in projects that effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and aims to plant a billion trees worldwide. To express our gratitude and reward our Platinum loyalty club members, we plant a tree for every customer who becomes a member. By joining our loyalty club, you contribute to nature-positive initiatives, reinforcing our shared vision for a greener future.