Sustainability

Ethical tourism

We help local communities benefit economically and professionally from ecotourism by:

• Hiring locals from nearby villages, providing them with training to grow their career opportunities.
• Involving local experts in cultural activities, empowering their personal and professional growth while ensuring fair compensation.
• Enhancing the living standards and welfare of local communities.

Sustainable tourism

We aim to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on the economy, society and environment by:

• Preserving the identity and integrity of local communities.
• Highlighting the significance of folklore.
• Supporting local crafts, skills, traditions, and culture in touristic activities.
• Integrating tourism development with environmental protection and the well-being of local communities.

Community-based tourism

We promote the interaction and exchange between travelers and locals to:

• Help travelers and locals alike to understand different cultures.
• Offer travelers authentic experiences of local life and foster genuine human connections with the region’s inhabitants.
• Contribute to travelers’ personal growth and fulfillment through cultural enrichment and meaningful travel experiences.

The building process

Construction Methods:

• Incorporation of second-hand and locally sourced construction materials to minimize environmental damage
• Utilization of eco-friendly materials like stone, wood, and bamboo

Architecture:

• Preservation of traditional architecture with the Northern Vietnamese one-story house
• Harnessing natural elements such as light and wind through an open-space design
• Internal and external natural ventilation systems, including double-roof ventilation and large windows
• Planting of tall trees around the ecolodge to reduce heating

Environmental impact:

• No tree felling or rice field destruction
• No impact on wildlife

General initiatives

Raising awareness:

• Employees are given training with a focus on sustainable development activities
• Employees are instructed and reminded about environmental protection
• Operating procedures are implemented to ensure environmental safety

Green operations:

• A technical team replaces and repairs damaged equipment promptly
• Installation of energy management equipment
• Implementation of an eco-friendly shopping policy: locally produced and natural products
• Implementation of waste classification and energy-saving measures
• Assigning management tasks and saving energy tasks to employees

Increasing quality:

• Encouraging and rewarding employees for adopting energy-saving measures
• Measuring each department’s waste levels
• Regular record-keeping and monitoring of energy consumption
• Data analysis to limit our environmental impact
• Hotel equipment is regularly checked and maintained

Water conservation

Rooms:

• Water from opened bottles is collected to water plants
• Unopened bottles are recorded monthly, with no replacements for reusable ones
• A powder cleaning agent is used to clean carpets instead of water or steam
• Cleaning staff regularly check the water pipes to ensure there are no leaks

Garden:

• We choose native and drought-tolerant plants to reduce irrigation
• Plants are only watered in the morning and late afternoon to avoid rapid evaporation
• Plants are watered with a drip irrigation system

Engineering:

• Installation of a filtration system to recycle water and reduce consumption
• Old equipment is checked and replaced/renovated quickly

General acts

• Taps and shower heads are turned off when not in use
• Dishwashers and washing machines are only run with a full load
• Self-service drinking water stations are provided
• Water is only served/refilled upon request
• Appropriate pots are used to wash vegetables and raw foods safely while saving water
• Laundry is done by hand with eco-friendly soap to save water and energy

Waste & Recycling

Rooms

• Ceramic containers for body and hair care products instead of single-use plastic ones
• Single-use bathroom items are only available on request
• Purchase of products in large packages, instead of several small ones
• Use of recyclable/biodegradable packaging materials

Kitchen

• Ingredients are purchased based on the expected number of guests
• A First In, First Out (FIFO) policy to store and rotate food
• Regular checks of food expiration dates
• Installation of a grease separator in the restaurant to avoid blockages and pollution

Admin

• Digital scans of passports (using tablet or smartphone)
• Use of email to confirm bookings / send bills or invoices
• Double-sided printing, if possible
• A separate, safe place for ink cartridges, batteries, light bulbs, and other hazardous chemicals

Pollution & Solutions

• No smoking in rooms and public spaces
• All services and activities end before midnight
• Use of organic and eco-friendly detergents (vinegar)
• Use of organic and eco-friendly cosmetic products (shampoo, body lotion…)
• Use of eco-friendly repellents (lemongrass essential oil and mosquito nets)
• Purchase of seasonal products, avoiding GMOs
• Purchase of local products
• Use of eco-friendly products (made from recycled / natural materials)
• Environmentally friendly activities for guests, including walking, bicycling, swimming, canoeing, picnicking, etc.
• Use of compost instead of synthetic fertilizers

Environment

• Guests are informed about water and energy-saving programs through flyers, signs, etc.
• Guests are encouraged to use their water bottles instead of single-use plastic ones
• We promote environmental activities (Earth Hour, Energy Saving Week, Waste Reduction Week, World Food Day, tree planting, etc.)
• We do not purchase or sell articles made from wildlife (e.g. no souvenirs made from turtles)
• We advise guests not to take part in activities which harm animals or their habitats
• We participate in the restoration of local green areas and tree-planting activities
• Guests are informed about local culture, products, and services as well as the recommended behavior when visiting local communities
• We are committed to protecting children from all forms of exploitation (labor, sexual, etc.)

A humanist approach

Local recruitment is a top priority and we ensure that all staff receive labor and insurance contracts in compliance with the law. We uphold equal rights for every employee regardless of their age, ethnicity, or gender.

We ensure all our staff receive adequate training, equipping them with the necessary tools for personal and professional growth. We also adhere to a strict policy of not hiring individuals under 18, as part of our commitment to safeguarding children’s rights.

Community

At Tam Coc Garden, we respect our surroundings to preserve the identity of our precious region. Before starting construction, we conducted thorough research to ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding community and wilderness.