Responsible travel guidelines

Social Etiquettes

• In Asia or Southeast Asia in particular, showing affection in public is considered inappropriate. Respect local dress standards and dress appropriately. On beaches, nude bathing is not acceptable anywhere. In a village river, covering with a sarong are necessary for women. When in doubt about dress, look how the majority of locals are clothed.
• When visit temple, pagoda or holy places in general, dressing honestly is required. Short and singlet or tank top dress are not accepted. Respectful and quiet are good manner. There are certain places where shoes and hat need to be removed. It is the same when you visit a local home and do not turn your back nor seat with your feet point toward the altar.
• Concepts of privacy here can be very different to your home country. Asking about name, age, job, family and even marriage status is something common among local and that type of practice may be applied when they talk with you. Don't be affronted or consider it rude or an invasion of privacy. It's usually just genuine curiosity and friendliness.
• Keep looking straight in to people's eyes when talking is the norm in Western practice but might be not here. In certain circumstances, keep looking into people's eyes, especially when talking to a senior is considered impertinent or impudent. Instead, they look a bit down and nod their head. So, if you for some time confront this situation, do not assume that people are shy or unreliable but it is just because of their tradition or habit.
• Crooking your finger to call somebody is considered impolite and if you do it with a serious mien or manner then it most likely cause unsympathetic reaction. People generally use a subtle downward waving motion to summon someone.
• Touching among the same sex in certain circumstances is not type of harassment but it is simply kind of showing sympathy or friendliness. You might see friends in the same sex hand in hand on streets. On the other hand, touching and showing affection between opposite sex in public is considered ridiculous and offensive to the people here.
• Always seek permission before taking pictures of the people. Often just pointing at your camera will result in a bright smile and a nod. There may be time people do not want you to take their photo, just give them a smile and give up trying. Absolutely avoid paying for the right to take a photo as this erodes people's self-respect and encourage a begging mentality. If you promise to send people their photos always do it, otherwise don't promise.

Respect your traveler fellows

• If you book for a group tour, then during your travel you will join and share with other group members. Group members may come from different countries and they have also their own cultural style, background or expectation. Sharing and respect are needed among group members. The more you join together, the more fun you have and the better experience it is. If you happen to share the room with someone, it is good chance to have a new friend. If any wrong thing happens, do not be fussy. Just tell our tour guide or group leader to help you and things should be dealt without making hurt to anyone. We seriously oppose any bad behavior, harassment or disrespect toward any member of the group and the one who cause the trouble will be excluded from the tour.

Donation and support

• During the tour, especially those of culture discovery and land crossing, you will most likely visit some of national heritages, temples, pagodas and kind of religious sites. There are commonly donation boxes there and you can put some small money in. This is not compulsory but your little donation will help to partly cover the conservation and maintenance of the site, giving more chance for the heritage to live and promoting our world of culture diversity.
• There may be sometime you will happen to visit charity centers, non profit organizations, ophanages or/and natural, culture conservation centers. Except included in the tour cost, some donation from you will be highly appreciated as it will help to facilitate the living standard of the disadvantaged children/people and/or contribute to meaningfull works that is being carried out by the people there.
• Contribute to economic and social development by using local services during your travel. Every single dollar you spend here will help to bring work and income to people. For the local people in the community you visit, you can support them by buying their products in fair price. Enjoy local food at small local restaurants. Local culinary delights are part of the joy of travelling! Some local products/handicraft for your use at home or giving as souvenirs to your family member, friends wll absolutely be wonderfull for all.