How to travel more sustainably — and have fun doing it, whether you’re venturing near or far. That’s the mission statement for our new six-part podcast series powered by Intrepid Travel. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be revealing the power of travel to support local communities in Asia, going slow while seeing more of Europe and enjoying nature-positive luxury South America. Every Saturday, we want you to come along for the ride, experiencing different ways of travelling that are actively doing good.
Listen here on your chosen podcast platform.
Vietnam is our first adventure, as sustainability expert Juliet Kinsman (that’s me) and my podcast partner, Jon Weeks, welcome you on an incredible journey through South-East Asia. We hope, like us, you'll be uplifted from discovering the two-way benefits of visiting further-flung destinations — from the economic boost for those in need, to the cultural enrichment for all. Here's a taster of what we got up to...
Arriving in the capital, Hanoi, we hit the ground running with our local trip leader Tu, as we headed straight from the airport into a visit of the Temple of Literature and the Tran Quoc Pagoda. Strolling along what was once called Cổ Ngư, and today is Thanh Niên Road, the sights, sounds, smells and flavours of Vietnam immersed us in the destination from the get-go.
The first taste of impact-led pitstops on our carefully curated Intrepid Travel itinerary came from KOTO, as we sipped homemade kombuchas and grazed on zingy salads with pomelos while learning how this restaurant doubles up as a social enterprise and training centre which gives employment to vulnerable young people. Its name stands for “Know One, Teach One” — reflecting their ethos of passing on learning, through hospitality — and this impressively slick operation left an especially satisfying taste (and that's just the mangoes).
Vun Art was the next community-supporting address with stories of sustainability to spill. A partner of the Intrepid Foundation, the folk art from this social enterprise supports their work with disadvantaged communities and enables artists with disabilities to create beautiful artworks from silk offcuts.
Enjoying an authentic taste of local life is exactly what this trip was about, and we certainly got that on a ferry to Cát Bà Island. Instead of following the typical circuit of the Five Hs: Hanoi — Halong Bay — Huế — Hoi An — Ho Chi Minh, this route enabled us to visit the lesser-known Lan Ha Bay, a quieter destination, a world away from the crowds of Halong. Admiring the limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons from the water on a kayak was about as bucket-list-ticking as it gets — with a window into why this part of the world is so famous, yet also highlights how avoiding the most obvious paths can mean a more edifying experience.
Another stand-out experience of this Sustainable Travel podcast series was taking the train from Hanoi overnight to the Imperial City of Hué. Tune into the podcast episode to get a feel for why this rail route was so special. Hué was Vietnam’s capital from 1802 to 1945 — and it remains an archive of Vietnam’s historic past. Hue Imperial Citadel is just one of the country's seven Unesco World Heritage Sites.
The magic of travel isn’t just the privilege of seeing new landscapes — it’s connecting with members of the communities hosting you
One of the real joys of our trip — and any meaningful travel, for that matter — was the opportunity to hear from locals who are making a difference. Take Lam Le, who is general manager of Pilgrimage Village. We caught up with her for a fantastic chat to hear how this family-owned, female-run luxury hotel is shining a spotlight on this historic corner of Vietnam, celebrating the region’s heritage through design, through cuisine, and by supporting local artisans.
As you might imagine, food played a big part in the trip, and we were privileged to enjoy a very special setting for lunch at the privately owned Tha Om Garden House, in the heart of Hué. Stepping into this traditional nha vuon garden house is a rare window into this city’s storied past thanks to its owners opening their doors to their home. If walls could talk, here they spill with stories. This low-rise timber and brick-tiled house filled with curios and antiques, with the family’s ancestral altar at its centre, opens onto the central courtyard garden — and you can pre-book an elegantly presented home-cooked meal.
After a three-hour drive from Hué to Hoi An, legs were stretched exploring this popular well-preserved ancient town at the height of Vietnam's summer season, which meant being among less foreigners, more Vietnamese visitors. Evening strolls through Hoi An’s night markets, and pausing at rooftop bars overlooking the Thu Bon River aglow in Hoi An’s floating lanterns is a must-do in this bustling hub. Being chaperoned by a Vietnamese trip leader in a small-group outing lets you learn how in the 16th and 17th centuries Hoi An was a bustling trading post — and the lanterns are a nod to how the Chinese and Japanese who settled here cherished this as a reminder of their homelands.
As this series explores — the magic of travel isn’t just the privilege of seeing new landscapes — it’s connecting with members of the communities hosting you.
In next week’s episode, out on Saturday, the Sustainable Travel podcast will celebrate nature conservation in the UK. Spend time with Isabella Tree at the Knepp Estate in West Sussex and hear why supporting nature-positive projects such as 42 Acres in Somerset are a great way for our wanderings to pay it forward. This travel-along podcast series of sustainable-travel inspiration can be found on Apple, Spotify or wherever you usually stream your podcasts.
