Lifestyle
Why Hanoi, Vietnam Is An Excellent Destination For Eco-Tourists
Anybody that is truly serious about ending the threat of climate change understands the need to practice sustainable tourism. They need to choose to travel to regions that are known for their efforts to help the environment. Of course, they also need to make sure that they will enjoy their trip and can be safe. Balancing sustainability and other practical factors is a necessity.
Vietnam may not be one of the top tourist destinations that comes to mind, especially if you are interested in eco-tourism. However, Vietnam is starting to become one of the leaders in sustainability.
Over 15.5 million tourists visited Vietnam last year, which was over a 20% increase from 2017. Part of the growth appears to be due to its commitment to sustainability. The Culture Trip wrote an article on the growing popularity of ecotourism in Vietnam.
Vietnam Takes Great Steps Towards Sustainability
The United Nations has recently discussed Vietnam’s newfound commitment to sustainability. The country has developed 115 sustainability targets as part of its 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN and other countries claim that Vietnam is making great progress and is on its way to meeting all of its goals. This is good news for sustainable tourists that want to visit the area.
What Sustainable Tourists Need to Know About Visiting Vietnam
Vietnam is no longer the frightful country you heard of in history class. The Environmental Sustainability in Asia: Vietnam cites the massive progress the country has made on both economic and environmental fronts. It has gone from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country. It is also doing a lot to help the environment.
If you been to Vietnam, you understand the difficulty of navigating its numerous villages and cities. Though the country is known for its unique museums, energetic nightlife, multi-cultural food, and lovely culture, it can be quite cumbersome to navigate. Traveling from Lao Cai to Hanoi is often best if done by bus, train, van, or taxi. The method of which you choose will depend upon your budge, time constraint, and amenity preference.
Traveling by train is one popular method of travel between these two areas. Out of all your travel options, traveling by train is the least expensive. Choose from Vietnam Railways, Violette Express, and Pumpkin Express. The average travel time is the same for each train, though the departure times vary slightly.
Vietnam Express has a 1st class sleeper. If you are looking for some quiet privacy, this may be a good option for you. They also have the option of air conditioning, or a fan. Another plus is that children below the age of 4 travel free. And children ages 5-9 receive a 25% discount.
Violette Express carriages are all air-conditioned four-bed sleepers. The views in-between Hanoi and Lao Cai are beautiful. You will also have access to charging ports. This train line only offers sleepers, no seats, so keep that in mind if you are looking for something upright.
Pumpkin Express provides individual cabins that offer air-conditioning and TVs. You have the option of choosing between the four-person berth, or a more private two-person berth.
If traveling by train isn’t your cup of tea, consider traveling by bus. If you are looking for a more comfortable travel experience, choose the higher-class buses. The higher-class buses have air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and reclining seats. Book ahead of time to acquire better seats.
Another option in traveling from Lao Cai to Hanoi is to take a van. This ride shared with others. While you might not have the space for your belongings, the way you may with other travel options, the time it takes you to reach your destination would be the same as if you took a taxi.
Taxi’s are the most expensive type of travel. These are private, with enough space to carry your baggage. The driver will take you straight to your destination. An estimated cost can range between $159-$290. However, you if you are looking for a private, fast way to arrive at your destination, this may be the option for you.
You have several viable options when traveling from Lao Cai to Hanoi. Whether you travel by train, bus, van, or taxi, your trip should be an enjoyable one. It really depends on the type of amenities you are looking for, combined with the price, departure time, and baggage storage availability. Plan to arrive around 15-20 minutes before your scheduled departure time. This allows enough time to check-in, find your seats, and get settled for your trip.
Ecotourism Thrives in Vietnam
Ecotourism should be a good experience. Vietnam is one of the best countries to visit if you want to prop up a country that is finally making headway on meeting environmental targets. All travel in Vietnam is managed by extremely hospitable people. And the sites truly are magnificent.