Oxalis Adventure -
The Net Zero Tourism Model In Vietnam.

Green tourism is a form of tourism that aims to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive benefits of tourism activities on the environment, society, and economy. Green tourism is also known as sustainable tourism, responsible tourism, or eco-tourism. Green tourism involves various aspects, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, conserving natural resources and biodiversity, supporting local communities and cultures, educating tourists and hosts, and enhancing tourist satisfaction and experience.

Green tourism practices, a roadmap toward NetZero business.

One of the leading examples of green tourism in Viet Nam is Oxalis Adventure. This tour operator specializes in adventure tours within Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning caves and rich biodiversity. Oxalis Adventure has adopted a net zero roadmap to achieve its goal of becoming a carbon neutral company by 2050. Net zero means reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the lowest possible level, and compensating for the remaining emissions by removing or offsetting them from the atmosphere. Net zero is a crucial target to combat climate change and protect the environment.

Oxalis Adventure has implemented various measures to reach net zero, such as:

• Using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels to power its offices, campsites, and vehicles. Solar panels are installed on the roofs of its buildings and vehicles, providing clean and green electricity for lighting, cooling, and charging devices. These energy sources reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and lower the greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reducing waste generation and implementing effective waste management practices such as composting, recycling, and reusing. Oxalis Adventure follows the principle of "reduce, reuse, recycle" principle to minimize waste production and disposal. Food portions are carefully calculated for both guests and employees to minimize food loss and waste. Composting converts organic waste into nutrient-rich soil for gardening and farming. Recycling transforms waste materials into reusable products. Reusing means utilizing items multiple times or repurposing them. These strategies lessen the environmental impact of waste and conserve natural resources.

• Offsetting its carbon footprint by planting trees, supporting reforestation projects, and donating to environmental organizations. Oxalis Adventure calculates its carbon footprint, which is the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are emitted as a result of its activities. To offset this footprint, Oxalis Adventure plants trees in the areas where it operates, which help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide oxygen, shade, and habitat for wildlife. Oxalis Adventure also supports reforestation projects in other parts of Vietnam and regions, which help restore degraded forests and biodiversity. Oxalis Adventure also donates to environmental organizations that work on climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives.

• Educating its staff, guests, and local communities about environmental issues and conservation efforts. Oxalis Adventure believes that education is key to raising awareness and changing behavior towards the environment. Oxalis Adventure trains its staff on environmental best practices and provides them with the necessary equipment and incentives to follow them. Oxalis Adventure also instructs guests on how to be responsible travelers and minimize their environmental impact during tours. Oxalis Adventure also engages with the local communities where it operates and shares with them the benefits of environmental protection and conservation.

• Collaborating with local authorities, NGOs, and experts to monitor and protect the natural resources and wildlife in the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. Oxalis Adventure works closely with the park management board, the local government, the local community, and other stakeholders to ensure that its tourism activities are compatible with the park's regulations and objectives. Oxalis Adventure also cooperates with NGOs and experts who conduct research and surveys on the caves, the flora, and fauna in the park. Oxalis Adventure also supports the park's ranger team, who patrol and safeguard the park from illegal activities, such as poaching, logging, and mining.

Sustainability is not Social responsibility, it’s a business strategy

Oxalis Adventure considers environmental sustainability and community involvement are part of its business strategy but not social responsibility. Oxalis Adventure is a 100% locally owned company that provides employment and income for hundreds of people in Quang Binh, one of Vietnam's poorest provinces. Oxalis Adventure also supports various social projects in the region, including:

• Building roads, bridges, schools, clinics, and water systems for the local villages. Oxalis Adventure recognizes the importance of infrastructure development for the wellbeing of the local people and the tourism industry. Oxalis Adventure invests in building roads and bridges that connect the remote villages to the main towns and markets, improving their access to transportation, trade, and services. Oxalis Adventure also builds schools and clinics that provide education and health care for the children and adults in the villages. Oxalis Adventure also installs water systems that supply clean water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.

• Donating books, clothes and scholarships to the children. Oxalis Adventure cares about the future of the children in the region, and wants to support their education and development. Oxalis Adventure donates books and clothes to the schools in the villages, providing them with learning materials and uniforms. Oxalis Adventure also donates bicycles to the children who live far from their schools, making it easier for them to commute. Oxalis Adventure also awards scholarships to the outstanding students who excel in their studies, encouraging them to pursue higher education and career opportunities.

• Providing training and capacity building for the local tour guides, porters, cooks, drivers, and homestay owners. Oxalis Adventure employs many people from the local community as tour guides, porters, cooks, drivers, and homestay owners, who are essential for its tourism operations. Oxalis Adventure provides them with training and capacity building on various skills and knowledge, such as English, safety, customer service, cave exploration, first aid, cooking, driving, and hospitality. Oxalis Adventure also provides them with the necessary equipment and insurance to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Oxalis Adventure also pays them fair wages and bonuses, and shares with them the profits from the tours.
• Promoting cultural exchange and respect between the visitors and the local ethnic minorities. Oxalis Adventure respects the culture and identity of the local ethnic minorities, who have their own traditions, customs, and festivals. Oxalis Adventure introduces the visitors to the local culture and lifestyle by arranging homestays, community events, and cultural performances. Oxalis Adventure also encourages the visitors to interact with the local people and learn from them. Oxalis Adventure also educates the visitors on how to be respectful and sensitive to the local culture and norms.

• Preserving and showcasing the local history, traditions, customs, and festivals. Oxalis Adventure values the rich history and heritage of the region. Oxalis Adventure also preserves and showcases the local traditions, customs, and festivals by participating in the cultural activities, such as the New Year celebration, the rice harvest festival, and the boat racing competitions.

The adventure activities that Oxalis offers

Oxalis Adventure offers a variety of adventure tours that cater to different preferences and abilities of tourists. Some of the highlights tours are include:

• Hang Son Doong Expedition: A 6-day tour that explores the largest cave in the world, with an underground river, jungle, and fossils. The tour includes trekking through the jungle and mountains, crossing rivers and streams, climbing over boulders and cliffs, swimming through underground pools, camping inside massive chambers, witnessing spectacular sunbeams and formations, and learning about the geology and history of the cave.
• Hang En Cave Adventure: An overnight tour that visits a huge cave with a massive chamber that can fit a Boeing 747. The tour includes trekking through the jungle and valleys, crossing rivers and streams, exploring Ban Doong ethnic minority village, camping on a sandy beach inside the cave, swimming in a natural lake, enjoying a natural light show from an opening in the ceiling, and learning about the wildlife and history of the cave.
• Hang Va Expedition: A 4-day package that discovers a rare cave with unique tower-shaped conical calcite formations. The tour includes trekking through the jungle and mountains, crossing rivers and streams, climbing over rocky terrain, swimming through underground pools, camping near a waterfall inside the cave, admiring the stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and learning about the geology and conservation of the cave.
• Tu Lan Cave Encounter: A 3-day tour that combines trekking, swimming, caving, and camping in a stunning cave system. The tour includes trekking through the jungle and hillsides, crossing rivers and streams, exploring four different caves with different features and challenges, swimming in underground rivers and waterfalls, camping by a river or a lake inside or outside the caves, enjoying campfire nights and barbecue dinners, and learning about the flora and fauna of the area.
• Hang Ba Deep Jungle Expedition: A tour that takes you to the heart of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous for its stunning caves and biodiversity. This tour is designed for nature lovers, conservationists, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventurous explorers who want to experience the beauty and mystery of the tropical forest and the caves. On this tour, you will trek through the ancient primary forest, where you will see various plants and animals, some of which are rare and endangered. You will also have the chance to observe the footprints and traces of wild animals, such as mountain goats, deer, wild boars, gibbons, langurs, and wildcats. Moreover, you will be able to view the images and videos captured by camera traps that are installed throughout the tour. These camera traps are activated by motion and record the day and night activities of wildlife. This way, you can see the animals without disturbing them or their habitat.
• Oxalis Adventure tours aim to offer guests safe, enjoyable, and educational experiences that highlight the splendor and variety of nature. Ensuring compatibility with park regulations and objectives, Oxalis Adventure respects the integrity of the caves. Moreover, it adheres to international safety, quality, and conservation standards.

The Oxalis Experience.