Vietnam is a popular destination for travelers seeking both natural beauty and cultural experiences. Recently, there’s been a growing emphasis on responsible travel and social enterprise in the region. With the rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality make Vietnam an ideal location for responsible tourism.
Key Areas of Social Enterprise Focus
- Community-Based Tourism: Many initiatives involve working directly with local communities to create sustainable tourism projects. This includes homestays, cultural exchanges, and support for local businesses.
- Social Enterprises: These businesses aim to generate social impact while being financially sustainable. They often focus on areas like education, healthcare, and environmental protection.
- Ethical Tourism: This involves respecting local cultures, minimizing environmental impact, and supporting fair labor practices.
Vietnam Responsible Travel and Social Enterprises
Social Enterprises In the Southern
| Description | Mission | Website |
| Saigon Hotpot | Saigon Hotpot was established in 2006, with a background and passion for tourism and traveling. It was one of the first voluntary clubs run by Vietnamese students from different universities | From 2006 until the present, Saigon Hotpot operates based on these principles
+ Promote the exchange of culture and the beauty of Vietnam to the world+ Create proactive environment for local students to improve their interpersonal skills, in terms of communications and problem-solving areas.+ Provide memorable walking street tours for foreigners when they travel to Vietnam | https://saigonhotpot.vn/ |
| Mekong Quilts | Since 2001, Mekong Quilts is a social enterprise acting for sustainable employment of under-privileged women in Vietnam and Cambodia, by creating high-quality products, respectful of the planet. | “Every item purchased from Mekong Quilts is a gift that gives twice.” | https://mekongquilts.com/ |
| KOTO | KOTO is the first social enterprise in Vietnam, providing positive, permanent change for at-risk and disadvantaged youth in a 2 year hospitality training programme that incorporates both vocation training and life skills. | As the 1st social enterprise in Vietnam, KOTO remains committed to enable the economically disadvantaged & vulnerable community by providing both transformative platform and pathways and instill the “once helped, help others” philosophy. We proudly do it with passion, innovation & responsibility. | https://www.koto.com.au/ |
2. Social Enterprises In the Central
| Description | Mission | Website |
| Reaching Out | Reaching Out was established in 2000 with the vision of providing opportunities for people of disability (PWD’s) to learn skills and gain meaningful employment so that they are able to integrate fully with their communities and lead independent and fulfilling lives. | Our name in Vietnamese, Hòa Nhập, means integration. And, we believe that a gift from Reaching Out gives twice. | https://reachingoutvietnam.com/ |
| STREETS Restaurant Café | Indulge in a Hoi An Tasting Menu and experience contemporary Vietnamese and International cuisine inspired by chefs from around the world. Linked to STREETS International, which provides sustainable programs for street kids and disadvantaged youth in Southeast Asia. | Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Hoi An, Vietnam, STREETS is a 14-month free professional vocational training program in the service and tourism industry. For youth in difficult circumstances, disadvantaged children, orphans, and children who do not have the opportunity to go to school. | https://vi.streetsinternational.org/ |
| | | |
3. Social Enterprises In the Northern
| Description | Mission | Website |
| Sapa O’Chau | Sapa O’Chau Travel Social Enterprise is the only tour operator in Sapa that is officially registered as a social enterprise | Mission is to promote learning, provide sustainable employment, and empower our community. | http://sapaochau.org/ |
| Tohe | Tohe is a Social Enterprise founded in 2006. Through weekly playgrounds, Tohe gives children the opportunity to learn and experience creative and artistic activities using many materials. | Mission of creating a creative playground for special children. The children’s paintings are selected, redesigned and applied to decorate fashion and lifestyle products. | https://www.tohe.vn/ |
| YESD | YESD Social Enterprise which was established to help the disadvantaged youth and communities in Vietnam in 2015. With a background of working for a non-governmental organization, YESD gained many experiences in community development projects. | YESD’s mission is to increase employment in the tourism sector for the local community. We also provide tourists with authentic and responsible tourism experiences that allow visitors to contribute to the local community. | https://yesd.org/ |
By combining cultural preservation, community empowerment, and environmental protection, responsible travel is creating positive impacts, Vietnam can position itself as a leader in sustainable tourism and create a lasting positive impact on its people and environment.
