The Ethical Explorer in Vietnam

Hello explorer's, where to start so much has happened since my last blog post.

The Ethical Explorer is officially in Vietnam, I arrived 1 week ago after saying a fond farewell to Australia (at least for now).

And what a week it has been. Landing in Vietnam's capital city of Ha Noi with a population estimated at 5.6 million, you can imagine it was a shock to the system. But definitly one I was ready for! After hiding away in a coastal town working on the EEP, I was ready to emerge like a butterfly from the crysalis.

I'll admit I got a little swept up in the food & coffee culture and 4 nights was a good amount. Apart from the usual tourist haunts and eateries I spent some time trying my hand at street photography, and despite my lack of experience I really enjoyed it.

SO WHAT NOW?

As I write this post I'm sat eating vegan noodle soup in a 100% vegan cafe Thong Dong Vegan in Sapa, A mountain town in the province of Lào cai, Northern Vietnam. When I first began planning The Ethical Explorer Project, I knew I wanted to start in a place that truly captures the balance between natural beauty, culture, and the impact of tourism, and Sapa felt like the perfect starting point.

Tucked away in Vietnam’s northern mountains, Sapa is a region where nature meets vibrant hill-tribe communities, and where traditional ways of life are interwoven with a growing tourism industry. It’s breathtaking, but it’s also complex, and that complexity is exactly why I came here.

Over the past decade, Sapa has seen a surge in visitors. Trekking routes, homestays, and tour operators have multiplied, bringing both opportunities and challenges. Tourism has provided income and education for many local families, but it’s also placed pressure on the environment and traditional cultures. For The Ethical Explorer, Sapa represents a living example of how travel can either empower communities or exploit them, depending on how we choose to engage.

My goal here is to explore that balance. To meet and learn from the people who are creating more ethical, sustainable ways to experience Sapa, whether that’s through community-run homestays, eco-friendly treks, or restaurants sourcing their food locally. I want to highlight the voices of those who are doing things differently, and show traveler's that it’s possible to enjoy this incredible region while still protecting what makes it so special.

Sapa isn’t just a destination, it’s a lesson in how ethical tourism can evolve. And for The Ethical Explorer, it’s the perfect place to begin that story.

Over the next few weeks i'll be spending time in and around Sapa, reviewing some local wildlife tours, including a snake tour which i'm particularly excited about. I will also be reviewing some organisations and businesses that are leading the way in ethical tourism here in Vietnam. I will also be working on getting the EEP officially setup as a nonprofit organisation plus lots more. Im really excited for this chapter of our journey and I sincerely hope you follow along with us.

As always we thank-you for your support without which we couldn't make this project a reality!

All our best,

Pete and The Ethical Explorer team