Also famous for the dam of the same name that encloses Plover Cove Reservoir, Tai Mei Tuk is an ideal destination for a scenic day trip in Hong Kong – so here’s our eco guide to help you explore!

See also: 8 Eco-Friendly Hiking Accessories

Where To Eat & Drink

Mr Cardigan Plant House

Open on Sundays only, Mr Cardigan Plant House is a cafe set in a refurbished shipping container that is now a heaven for succulents. It’s known for its photogenic plant-filled grounds and is located right next to its owner’s farmland. Their menu changes seasonally, with food and drinks made from fresh, mostly local ingredients.

Mr Cardigan Plant House, corner of Shan Liu Road and Ting Kok Road, Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po, Hong Kong

Mayse Artisan Bakery

Mayse is an authentic Latvian bakery founded by father-daughter duo, Alex and Elina, which makes healthy, organic bread following traditional Latvian and Northern European recipes. The main attractions here are their signature sourdough and handcrafted breads, with some other delicious food items like truffle pizza and panini also available – and everything is vegan too.

Mayse Artisan Bakery, G/F, 64 Sam Wo Road, Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po, Hong Kong

What To See

Tai Mei Tuk Dam

Tai Mei Tuk Dam is a 2km-long dam that closes off Plover Cove Reservoir and has become a popular spot for cyclists and kite fliers. You can easily walk up or take a cycling trip from Tai Wai or Tai Po.

It offers sweeping views of Tolo Harbour across to Ma On Shan, and also the Pat Sin Leng mountain range behind. Many people come to see the sunset, but cyclists should be mindful of when they need to return their bike rentals!

Lung Mei Beach

Lung Mei Beach is slightly controversial as it was built in a protected marine area. This government-regulated beach has full changing rooms and shower facilities, plus lifeguards on duty. As long as you wear reef-safe sunscreen and are mindful of what you step on when you swim, it’s a great beach to visit and is the only one in the area.

See also: 8Shades’ Guide to a Sustainable Beach Day

Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail

Plover Cove Reservoir is the largest reservoir in Hong Kong and can hold 230,000,000 cubic metres of water. The hills surrounding the reservoir are relatively less steep – you can hike around it in one day! The Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail starts at Wu Gau Tong and ends at the dam, covering 18km and taking around nine hours.

The trail is a great challenge that should only be attempted during cooler weather, making sure you carry enough provisions and a head torch. But if you’re up for that and more, you can also try the Devil’s Fist Trail, which is a 30km hike!

Pat Sin Leng Country Trail

Hiking the Pat Sin Leng is a good alternative to the Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail. Its name comes from the eight Taoist deities known collectively known as Pat Sin, one for each of the mountain’s eight peaks. It’s an easier and shorter trail compared to Plover Cove Reservoir but does involve a steep ascent to the first peak.

This hike offers a higher vantage point to the region with a full view of the dam, the reservoir and towards mainland China. You can hike all the way to Hok Tau Reservoir if you choose but the fastest route is to return the way you came, which takes around four hours.

See also: 8Shades’ Eco Guide to Sai Kung

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From friendly encounters with elephants to an agricultural project that changes countless lives, here is our 8Shades’ eco travel guide to Chiang Mai.

See also: 8Shades’ Eco Travel Guide To Bangkok

Where to Stay

Chai Lai Orchid

Why just visit an elephant sanctuary when you can stay at an ethical hotel with elephants instead? Chai Lai Orchid is a refuge for Asian elephants that have been rescued from abuse, offering guests the chance to learn more about how to care for these wonderful creatures. The hotel also arranges private treks for guests to explore the heritage of the local Pga k’ nyau people, including learning how to forage for medicinal herbs.

Chai Lai Orchid, 172M 5 T. Mae Sapok, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai 50360

137 Pillars House

An oasis near the heart of Chiang Mai, 137 Pillars House is an eco-friendly boutique resort that was originally built over 125 years ago as the headquarters of the East Borneo Trading Company. This beautiful fully-restored teakwood building is home to a range of themed suites and a stunning pool. Meanwhile, their sustainability initiatives include eliminating the use of single-use plastics and several recycling schemes – including turning their organic waste into biochar, which is then used for compost in their grounds.

137 Pillars House, 2 Soi 1, Nawatgate Road, Tambon Watgate, Muang, Chiang Mai 50000

Where to Eat

Free Bird Cafe

Free Bird Cafe is the place to go to find vegan, organic versions of all your favourite Thai dishes – including their signature vegetarian khao soi. As a non-profit organisation, their proceeds go to their sister charity Freedom House, which helps Burmese refugees. They also host a regular Wednesday lunch meetup for female digital nomads and travellers.

Free Bird Cafe, 14 Sirimankalajarn Soi 9, Chiang Mai 50200

Waiting For May By Ori9in Farm

Ori9in is a gourmet farm that grows sustainable organic produce, which is then used in their restaurant, Waiting for May – the very epitome of farm-to-table eating! All dishes from their seasonal menu are made on the farm, with plenty of vegetarian options. You can choose to eat either at the restaurant itself or go on a ‘picnic’ within the farm’s grounds.

Waiting For May by Ori9in Farm, RO Pho Cho Chiang Mai 4204 Road, Mae Faek, San Sai District, Chiang Mai 50290

Where to Drink

Fruit Plus+ Cafe

Located just inside Chiang Mai’s Old Town, Fruit Plus+ Cafe serves delicious smoothies, smoothie bowls and fresh cold-pressed juices. Their all-natural cold-pressed juices have no additives, are unpasteurised and are made fresh daily. They also offer vegetarian food and a juice cleanse programme.

Fruit Plus+ Cafe, 27/1 Moonmuang Soi 9, Sri Phum Sub-District, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200

Where to Shop

Superbee

Superbee is a local Chiang Mai brand that aims to reduce single-use plastics in the city. Founder Antoinette painstakingly trialled various formulas to create the perfect beeswax wrap, which has now become their signature product; they also sell a range of sustainable bathroom products and toiletries. As a social enterprise, they employ local women in rural areas, providing an ethical work environment and making sure they are paid a proper wage.

Available at various stores in Chiang Mai

Mr.Leaf Thailand

Teak leaves are a traditional part of Lanna culture and offer a great eco-friendly alternative to leather. Homegrown brand Mr.Leaf has perfected the art of turning this material into beautiful creations, making durable eco-friendly bags and accessories in a variety of styles and colours.

Mr.Leaf Thailand, 111/27 Moo.6 Sanklang, Sankamphaeng, Chiang Mai 50130

What to See

Pooh Eco Trekking

Chiang Mai is a mountainous region filled with lush jungles and crops farmed by the many hill tribe villages that have lived there for centuries – an overnight hike with a homestay is the best way to experience this incredible culture and nature. Pooh Eco Trekking is an ethical company that offers two to four day hill tribe treks, offering guests a real-life glimpse into these local communities.

Find out more about Pooh Eco Trekking

Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station

Doi Inthanon National Park is named after Thailand’s tallest mountain, which falls in the Chiang Mai region. Located within the park is the Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station, where you can see the fruits of a project started over 40 years ago by King Bhumibol Adulyadej to encourage local farmers to cultivate vegetables and flowers instead of opium. Featuring beautiful gardens, a lake with its own swans and a charming coffee shop, it’s a great stop on any Doi Inthanon trip.

Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station, 202 Moo 7, Kuhn Klang Village, Ban Luang Sub-District, Chom Tong, Chiang Mai 50160

See also: All 8Shades’ Eco Travel Guides

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But there are some other useful terms worth knowing to make sure you understand the impact of your adventures in the places you visit. As part of our ‘Sustainability Defined‘ series, we’ve rounded up 10 helpful sustainable travel terms – so read on intrepid travellers!

See also: 10 Useful Eco Fashion Terms

Biophilic Design

This concept is a growing trend in hotels and resorts to make their building designs increasingly look and feel closer to nature. Not only does this idea aim to integrate natural elements such as trees or natural light to a building’s overall appearance, it also seeks to preserve original elements of the building’s surroundings – whether that’s geological features, vegetation or wildlife.

Community-Based Tourism

Community-based tourism is a sustainable strategy that a community adopts to ensure they directly benefit from tourism within their areas. This means that locals are involved in the decision-making process, with the aim that the local economy profits from holiday-goers. Therefore, every provider – including hotels, restaurants, transport and guides – should be owned locally and more specifically, within the community itself.

Conscious Travel

Understanding the impact of your travels actually has its own term: ‘conscious travel’. But this means more than just being mindful about the negative effects of your journey. Conscious travel also takes into account the positive impact too, such as making a deliberate effort to travel to a less popular destination and contribute to its economy, rather than an already popular site.

Flygskam & Tagskryt

Both originating from Sweden, these terms are closely connected; they were popularised with the rise to prominence of climate activist Greta Thunberg, whose refusal to take flights and instead travel by train spawned these terms. ‘Flygskam’ or flight shaming refers to when air trips are considered non-essential and a less carbon-intense alternative is available – such as making a phone call, going on a video conference or…’Tagskryt’ aka train-bragging, where travellers brag about the rail lifestyle instead of being a jet-setter.

Homestays

A homestay is when a foreign traveller stays with a local – either a family or an individual – to get an immersive look into their way of life and learn more about the local community from a direct source. In addition to getting an authentic experience, homestays are a cheaper alternative than staying in hotels and also more interactive than staying at a hostel or Airbnb.

Nature Reserve

Nature reserves are often part of government land, are usually open to the public and have set aside land for native plants and animals to not only survive but thrive. Some of the best-known nature reserves include Yellowstone National Park in the US and Banff in Canada. There are also aquatic nature reserves such as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

Off-Grid

This refers to hosts or destinations that are self-sufficient, using renewable energy instead of existing grids to cool their rooms, heat their pools, power their rooms and supply electricity to the entire resort. In addition to lowering your carbon footprint, another benefit of staying at an off-grid option is the opportunity to disconnect from the world with a digital detox.

Regenerative Travel

When you take sustainable travel and turn it all the way up to eleven, that means you’ve unlocked ‘regenerative travel’. This refers to when you not only seek to minimise the harm you do to your destination, but also ensure that you leave it healthier and better than how you originally found it.

See also: 8 Ways to Make Your Junk Trips More Sustainable

Voluntourism

This portmanteau of ‘volunteering’ and ‘tourism’ means exactly that you think it does: when you travel for leisure but with a side aspect of volunteerism. An example of this would be travelling to Sumba Island in Indonesia for a surfing holiday or to explore hidden lagoons – but also help with English lessons for locals or tend the gardens at a local eco-lodge and hotel while you’re there.

Wild Camping & Swimming

Now if you really want to go off the grid, don’t stay at a resort! ‘Wild camping’ is camping anywhere that’s not an official campsite, while ‘wild swimming’ is the act of swimming in natural bodies of water. Just make sure to check local rules and regulations before doing either!

See also: 5 Sustainable Travel Hacks for Your Next Trip

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Whether you’re looking for a private retreat in the rice paddies or to learn a traditional Balinese craft, here are our suggestions for the best places to stay, eat, drink, shop and see for a memorable eco trip to Ubud.

Where to Stay

Mana Earthly Paradise

The award-winning Mana Earthly Paradise features six stunning eco-villas, which are made from natural materials, powered by solar energy and use harvested rainwater. Run by the NGO Earth Company, Mana also recycles wastewater in their garden, provides organic toiletries for guests, has an onsite restaurant with vegan and vegetarian options, and even uses zero-waste mattresses.

Mana Earthly Paradise, Jl. Raya Sayan, Banjar Mas, Gang Emas, Ubud, Bali

Sebatu Sanctuary

Sebatu Sanctuary is a glamping resort surrounded by lush rice paddies in the airy mountains near Tegalalang rice terrace, less than an hour away from the centre of Ubud. Its eco-friendly villa options include a bamboo pod, tented villa or treehouse, with views of either the surrounding forest or rice paddies. Sebatu Sanctuary is also home to the island’s only natural chemical-free pool, while their restaurant has a forest-to-table ethos that offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices.

Sebatu Sanctuary, Banjar Sebatu, Tegalalang, Gianyar, Bali

Where to Eat

The Suku Bali

The Suku Bali offers a mostly western farm-to-table menu sprinkled with Balinese touches, using fresh seasonal produce sourced from local farmers. They upcycle any food waste into fertiliser for their edible garden, and even feature organic garnishes upcycled from their kitchen waste in their cocktails. Meanwhile, their traditional-meets-modern decor showcases pieces by local artists.

The Suku Bali, Jl. A.A. Gede Rai, Ubud, Bali

The Elephant

The Elephant fights food wastage by using ‘ugly’ produce that would otherwise be thrown away and separating all their waste to ensure everything is appropriately reused, recycled or composted. This fully vegetarian restaurant serves a fusion menu where laksa, gnocchi and ramen sit alongside each other, plus hearty burgers and wholesome salads – with most ingredients sourced from local organic farms.

The Elephant, Hotel Taman Indrakila, Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, Bali

Where to Drink

Alchemy

Alchemy is one of Ubud’s longest standing juice bars, which also serves a plant-based raw food menu. They have a wide range of vegan smoothies made with nut milk, coconut water, essential oils and other superfood ingredients, with unique names – you can ‘Bee Here Now’ with mango, passion fruit, honey and bee pollen, or ‘Die Hard’ with pineapple, apple, kale, lemongrass and lime.

Alchemy, Jl. Penestanan Kelod No.75, Ubud, Bali

Juice Ja Cafe

Juice Ja Cafe aims to serve only natural and ethical food sourced from its own farm or other local suppliers. They serve both pure and blended juices, with classic mixes like ‘The Refresher’ with watermelon and mint, and signatures like ‘Juice Ja Jamu’ with turmeric root, lemon and honey. For those who need a detox, they also offer a five-day juice cleanse delivery programme.

Juice Ja Cafe, Jl. Suweta No. 49, Ubud, Bali

Where to Shop

Kou Bali

Kou is made up of two sister shops – Kou, which offers natural body care items like bath salts and soaps; and Kou Cuisine, which sells a delectable range of locally-made jam and honey. It’s a great place for picking up souvenirs, especially their soap bars, which are handmade individually using pure coconut oil, essential oils and organic plants, all harvested from Bali itself.

Kou Bali, Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali

Utama Spice

Utama Spice uses traditional Balinese healing remedies to create its line of all-natural aromatherapy products. Most of their team comprises local women from the surrounding villages and all their products are made locally, with a focus on lowering their impact on the environment. Here, you’ll find face serums, lip balms, body butter, shampoo, deodorant and other toiletries – and now even hand sanitiser!

See all Utama Spice locations in Ubud

What to See

Bali Natural Cycling Tours

A cycling tour is a great way to see Ubud’s wonderful countryside and experience local Balinese culture outside its more touristy centre – while reducing your carbon footprint too! Bali Natural Cycling Tours offers exactly that with informative local guides, quality bicycles and half-day or full-day trips suitable for all levels of cyclist.

Find out more about Bali Natural Cycling Tours

Nyoman Warta Batik Class

Batik is a traditional Indonesian dying process that uses wax to create patterns on fabric. Learn how to make your very own traditional Balinese pattern on a piece of cloth with the help of Nyoman Warta, a leading Ubud-based Batik artist – and craft yourself a fantastic souvenir to bring home.

Nyoman Warta Batik Class, Jl. Gootama No.12, Ubud, Bali

See also: 8Shades’ Eco Travel Guide to Hanoi

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We have no doubt that you’ll be heading to Sai Kung yourself this summer, which is why we’ve written this eco guide featuring the best places to eat, drink, shop and see in the area – enjoy!

Where to Eat & Drink

2084

2084 is a plant-based restaurant in Sai Kung, which has strived to put together a menu that combines the best of what’s available and sustainable. Their meat-free menu is two-thirds vegan, features no GMOs and only uses plant-based milk. Here, you’ll find a fusion menu of Tibetan momos, Peking tacos, burgers and curries. They also offer direct delivery with a promise to use zero plastics for their takeaways.

2084, 5 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Singaling’s

Singaling’s is a restaurant founded by Sing and Wai Ling, two Sai Kung natives who are passionate about bring the freshest food to diners. They’re a dependable place to find vegan and gluten-free food with an extensive international menu that includes burgers, fajitas and pizzas, plus Mediterranean bites like falafels and hummus.

Singalings, 60 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Hushush Ice Cream Coffee

Hushush is a small local cafe that serves up homemade ice cream and specialty coffee in an increasingly eco-friendly way. They use recyclable containers for their coffee beans and each batch of ice cream is homemade. Their tea ice creams are a must try; look out for the Pu’er tea flavour!

Hushush Ice Cream Coffee, Shop 33, Ko Fu Building, 58-72 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Where to Shop

Live Zero

Live Zero is one of the first zero-waste stores in Hong Kong and their branch in Sai Kung is a great pit stop for snacks and other plastic-free goodies. It’s a small but compact shop with all the essentials, so don’t forget to bring your own containers.

Live Zero, 22 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung

Read also: 8Shades Of… Tamsin Thornburrow of Live Zero

Seed

Seed stands for ‘Saving the Earth Every Day’. It’s another zero-waste bulk store but this time tucked away in the backstreets of Sai Kung town. While the shop itself is small, there is a good range of bulk food and toiletry items to shop from.

Seed, 29 Sai Kung Yee Kuk Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

What to See

Yim Tin Tsai

Yim Tin Tsai is a historic island in Sai Kung that’s only a short ferry ride from the main town. It was once a village with a majority Christian population that has slowly emptied, ‌with its inhabitants moving to the mainland or immigrating overseas. However, it’s currently being revived to showcase its cultural heritage: the legacy of salt farming and its religious past.

Look out for a blue tent close to the seafood restaurant at the Sai Kung seafront to buy ferry tickets and entry tickets from the official stand.

Find out more about Yim Tin Tsai and check its ferry schedule

Sharp Island

Sharp Island is a unique site within Sai Kung Geopark. The island was once at the edge of caldera, a collapsed magma chamber of a volcano, and formed a tombolo – a sandbank that only appears during low tide, connecting the smaller island of Kiu Tau to the main island. There are regular ferries operated by private kaito (wooden ferries) services from Sai Kung pier that shuttle people over to the island, a journey that takes less than 20 minutes.

Find out more about Sharp Island

Go Hiking

Sai Kung Geopark has many amazing hiking trails! From the hexagonal column by the East Dam Highland Reservoir to Stage 1 to 4 of the 100km-long MacLehose Trail, there are endless choices. For beginners, I’d recommend the Shui Yiu Country Trail to spot some heritage sites as well. Intermediate hikers can try Tai Tun Shan by Pak Tam Chung, while Sharp Peak is ideal for advance hikers.

Find out more about Hong Kong Geopark

Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre

Run by the WWF, Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre is in a protected marine area that’s popular with kayakers and snorkelers. No motorised boats are allowed access except for those from the centre. In addition to looking round the visitor centre itself, you can take an educational coral observation tour aboard their glass-bottomed boats, but pre-booking is required.

Find out more about Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre

See also: 8Shades’ Eco Travel Guide to Singapore

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We’re rectifying that with our 8Shades’ eco travel guide to Kuala Lumpur, including the best places to stay, eat, drink, shop and see – happy travels!

WHERE TO STAY

Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur

Alila hotel group has strived to make all their properties as green as possible, and Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur is no exception. Aside from energy-efficient measures such as window tinting, they also harvest rainwater for watering plants, and produce their own bottled water for guests using a reverse osmosis water treatment system and recycled glass bottles.

Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur, 58 Jalan Ang Seng, 50470 Kuala Lumpur

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur upholds the renowned hotel brand’s global sustainability initiatives – meaning no single-use plastics, sourcing locally whenever possible and only using sustainable seafood. Did I mention they have an amazing pool too?

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur

WHERE TO EAT

The Farm Restaurant at Bangsar South

You don’t get more farm-to-table than eating at a restaurant made by the farm itself! All the ingredients at The Farm come fresh daily from their own urban farming lab or from local farms and grocers, meaning their menu is highly seasonal. You also get to enjoy your dishes in this beautifully airy restaurant hung with draping vines and leaves.

The Farm Restaurant at Bangsar South, Unit G-01 & G-02, Level Ground, The Sphere Bangsar South City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur

The Hungry Tapir

A vegan and vegetarian restaurant with a full serviced bar, The Hungry Tapir’s Instagrammable interiors make an inviting space for a meal — think pops of yellow and pink with exposed brick walls and greenery. Located in Chinatown, this eatery serves up a fusion menu blending the east and west, but be sure to try their Malay fare.

The Hungry Tapir, 135 Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur

WHERE TO DRINK

Terra

Go green for your happy hour and head to Terra, with its spacious interior, outdoor terrace and menu of sustainable, organic drinks and western food. Terra only sources drinks that are biodynamic, organic and sustainable with an extensive range of wines, quirky and refreshing cocktails (try the ‘I Am Groot!’) and infused gins available.

Terra, 82, Lorong 1/77a, Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur

La Juiceria

La Juiceria is a one-stop shop for all your healthy eating needs — but given it started out as a juice company, their drinks remain a signature. Founder Anabelle Co-Martinent became an advocate for daily juices and plant-based foods after they helped her lose weight and feel more energised. La Juiceria offers immunity booster juices, cold-pressed juices and smoothies to choose from; you can even order online and have them delivered straight to your hotel.

La Juiceria, 2, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

WHERE TO SHOP

The Hive

Having opened its first branch in 2018, The Hive holds the honour of being the first zero-waste store in Malaysia — and now boasts five locations across Kuala Lumpur. Selling bulk foods as well as various zero-waste lifestyle products, head here to buy a zero-waste starter kit to avoid using plastic disposable cutlery for street food during your trip, or to prepare some healthy treats in advance for your flight home.

The Hive, various locations across Kuala Lumpur

Batik Boutique

Batik is one of Malaysia’s most iconic textiles, so hit up Batik Boutique if you want to buy some Batik clothing, home goods — or even face masks! This stylish social enterprise employs people from marginalised communities across Malaysia, with over 1,500 beneficiaries.

Batik Boutique, Jalan 26/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50300 Kuala Lumpur

WHAT TO SEE

Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park

Did you know that there is a patch of tropical rainforest hiding away in the heart of Kuala Lumpur? Formerly known as Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, this 10.5-hectare park is nestled right beside the famous Kuala Lumpur Tower. You can wander the park by yourself on one of its nature trails or join daily guided tours from the visitor centre to learn more about the local flora and fauna.

Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park, Lot 240, Bukit Nanas, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50250 Kuala Lumpur

Unseen Tours Kuala Lumpur

Run by Yellow Hostel Kuala Lumpur, Unseen Tours hires homeless people as guides, empowering those who know the streets best to show visitors all the hidden corners of Malaysia’s capital. Rather than being poverty tourism, these trips focus on showing you the best of Kuala Lumpur – with a street art tour and haunted tour among the experiences on offer.

Find out more at Unseen Tours Kuala Lumpur

See also: 8Shades’ Eco Travel Guide to Bangkok

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From a city that hadn’t even seen a car or motorbike in the 90s, Hanoi has come a long way and is now making great strides in becoming a greener city. For our eco travel guide to Hanoi, we’ve rounded up the best places to stay, eat, drink, shop and see:

Where to Stay

Aira Boutique Hanoi Hotel & Spa

Located on the edge of the Hanoi Old Quarter, the Aira Boutique Hanoi Hotel & Spa features charming French decor and a sky bar on its top floor. As part of Booking.com’s ‘Travel Sustainable’ programme, the hotel has taken significant steps to make its stays more sustainable for guests; its suites are also much bigger than most rooms in Hanoi and offer a choice of pool or city view.

Aira Boutique Hanoi Hotel & Spa, 38A Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Another elegant hotel to consider is the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. It’s located close to the Hanoi Opera House and reflects the area’s French Quarter charm with its colonial and neoclassical building. The hotel is part of Accor’s ‘Planet 21’ sustainability programme, which aims to improve sustainability in its hotels.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Where to Eat

VEJO – The Vegan Journey

VEJO is short for the Vegan Journey and was founded during the early days of the pandemic. Although the restaurant is not completely vegan, it does have plenty of vegan options. Their international-style menu is updated weekly depending on what’s in season, so prepare to find pasta and ramen alongside Vietnamese dishes.

VEJO – The Vegan Journey, 46B Bat Dan, Hanoi

Maison Marou

Chocolate lovers should not miss out on Maison Marou, a cafe, patisserie and bean-to-bar chocolate factory that creates magic with Vietnamese cacao. Their signatures are their hot chocolate, opera cake and tiramisu. They also have a pastry masterclass and free chocolate tasting on Saturday mornings.

Maison Marou, 91A Tho Nhuom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Where to Drink

SOGREEN Pressed Juice & Cafe

While there are plenty of cafes and smoothie joints across Hanoi, many of them add a lot of sugar to their drinks. In contrast, SOGREEN Pressed Juice & Cafe has only served organic, 100 percent cold-pressed juices since they opened their shop in 2015.

SOGREEN Pressed Juice & Cafe, 55 Hang Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Hidden Gem Cafe

The Hidden Gem Cafe is an eclectic spot where all the furniture and decoration has been made by creatively putting together recycled materials. Here you’ll find plants growing out of boots, tin can minions, water bottle chandeliers and upcycled cups made from alcohol bottles. Meanwhile, their kitchen sources food directly from local farmers.

Hidden Gem Cafe, 3B Hang Tre, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Where to Shop

Trai Ca

Trai Ca, which means ‘fish farm’ in Vietnamese, only sells products made in Vietnam using ethical raw materials and production methods. They aim to sell homeware that is made to last at reasonable prices.

Trai Ca, 200 Tran Dai Nghia, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi

Chăn Con Công Vintage Store

This vintage store is located in a corner of Hanoi’s old town with retro decorations and curated vintage clothes from all over the world. They also have a ‘remade’ collection by local fashion designers and host Facebook Live sessions where customers can reserve items online.

Chăn Con Công – Vintage Store, 37 Dao Duy Tu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

House Of Vintage Jewelry Hanoi

Jewellery lovers shouldn’t miss a trip to the House of Vintage, a treasure trove for all types of baubles and accessories — whether that’s buckles, earrings or one-of-a-kind pins. While the store’s collection is eclectic, rest assured that the pieces are unique and of the highest quality.

House Of Vintage Jewelry Hanoi, 13 Chan Cam, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

What to See

Chef Duyen’s Home Cooking Classes & Tours

Chef Dyuen came to Hanoi from her village in 1999 and trained to become a chef. Now, she leads home cooking classes alongside tours of the local market, wholesale market and street food stalls. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek of Hanoian life and explore what they eat, in truly delicious style.

See more at Chef Duyen’s Home Cooking Classes & Tours

Hanoi Eco Tour

Hanoi Eco Tour was founded to provide private sustainable tour options for visitors to Hanoi. They offer several types of tour around Hanoi including an Old Quarter walking tour and private farm tour, working with local villagers to raise their income. They also run tours across other parts of Vietnam so it’s worth checking them out if you’re planning to visit other places while you’re there!

Find out more at Hanoi Eco Tour

See also: 8Shades’ Eco Travel Guide to Bangkok

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As always, it doesn’t have to be that way, so here are some easy ways to make your next junk trip more eco-friendly:

1. Bring reusable cutlery

It’s not uncommon to see lots of paper plates, bowls, and single-use plastic cutlery on a junk. Convenient they may be, but imagine the impact they’ll have on the environment when they end up in landfill.

Instead, bring some cutlery from home (and maybe a few extra sets for your junk trip buddies). If you need a new set, try looking at Hong Kong’s zero-waste stores such as Slowood or Liv Zero.

2. Buy compostable cutlery

It can be hard to ensure that everyone brings their own cutlery and containers. As backup, why not order some biodegradable cutlery and containers in advance. A good platform to order compostable cutlery is Vegware, if you’re lucky, you might also find some compostable cutlery and plates at your local Park’N’Shop!

3. Use reef-safe sunscreen

Did you know that conventional sunscreen can be damaging to the ocean and our skin? Common sunscreens contain toxic chemicals such as benzophenones, parabens and other skin irritants, which are absorbed into our skin after just a single application. These substances are also toxic for marine life, especially coral reefs.

Instead, choose a good, eco-friendly sunscreen that’s devoid of chemical UV filters. Some of our favourites include Thinksport’s SPF50 Sunscreen and Drunk Elephant’s Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF30.

4. Have a recycling system onboard

Without a system in place, it’s easy for recyclable and non-recyclable materials to be mixed up amidst the chaos that normally happens during junk trips. To put a recycling system in place, simply bring a few extra biodegradable large plastic bags, which you can use to separate food waste, plastics, glass, paper and non-recyclable waste.

Make sure everyone on board is aware of this system by either labeling the bags clearly or making a quick announcement before the fun begins!

6. Potluck and/or bring your own containers

Half the fun of going on a junk is the food, and while a lot of people like to order takeaways to bring on the junk, this often adds to the single-use waste. Instead, why not go potluck style and bring something in your own reusable container(s)? If you prefer not to cook, simply bring your own containers to the restaurants or bakeries you are buying takeaways from.

6. Bring sustainable snacks to share

Everybody loves a good chat with friends on deck, preferably with a glass of wine or two! However, conventional snacks like chips or chocolate bars can result in a lot of plastic waste.

Instead, stock up on snacks from your local zero-waste store or try making some of your own! Need some plant-based junk friendly recipe inspiration? Check out the recipes below:

• Peanut butter stuffed dates
• Baked carrot fries
• Fudgey vegan brownies

7. Do a mini beach clean-up!

The pandemic has led to a significant increase in plastic waste in Hong Kong. If you have a dinghy (or small boat) with you, it may be worth stopping at a nearby beach and doing a mini-beach clean up! This isn’t just a fun activity to do with friends – it also means you’ll be giving back to our oceans while spending your day out at sea.

8. Take your rubbish with you

Lastly, be sure not to leave any plastic bags, masks or napkins on the junk without weighing them down with something. From experience, they can easily blow away into the ocean while everyone is busy having fun, adding to marine pollution and potentially injuring marine animals.

Just like the hiking trails, it’s important to leave the beauty of Hong Kong’s nature untouched, so be sure to pick up after yourselves whilst still enjoying the day out!

Read also: 5 Sustainable Travel Hacks for Your Next Trip

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Now that Singapore is fully open to vaccinated visitors, why not make your next visit an eco foray into the metropolis? Here are some of our suggestions for a greener visit:

WHERE TO STAY

PARKROYAL on Pickering

The PARKROYAL on Pickering is straight out of a sci-fi movie with its facade of greenery and glass. Aside from its zero-energy sky garden, waterfalls, and pools, the hotel has motion sensors to save electricity, whilst boasting a seasonal, plant-based menu.

PARKROYAL on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering St, Singapore 058289

Oasia Hotel Downtown

It’s hard to miss Oasia Hotel Downtown as it’s much like its name: an oasis right by the Tanjong Pagar MRT in downtown Singapore. The 27-storey building is covered by a vertical garden with contrasting glass panels – they also have a chilled water system to cool its enclosed space.

Oasia Hotel Downtown, 100 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079333

Where to Eat

Kausmo

Most restaurants strive to find the best cut and the most uniform produce, but at Kausmo, the focus is more on making sure nothing goes to waste. Combining European techniques with Asian influences, the fusion restaurant is co-founded by chef Lisa Tang and Kuah Chew Shian who came together with a mission to promote thoughtful and conscientious living. Don’t miss their six-course Carte Blanche menu!

Kausmo, 1 Scotts Road, Shaw Centre, #03-07, Singapore 228208

The Living Café

Known as the pioneer of the raw food movement in Singapore, The Living Café opened in 2011 and serves food without any dairy, red meat, refined sugar, preservatives, artificial additives, or refined oils. Their menu is western-focused with a full breakfast, lunch, desserts, and fresh juice and smoothie menu.

The Living Café, 779 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore

The Summerhouse

For a romantic farm-to-table experience, the Summerhouse has a French dining room and garden domes tucked away in the Seletar countryside. It’s part of a garden and farming collective serving French cuisine, and they even have an edible garden. Note: Advance booking is required for the garden domes.

The Summerhouse, 3 Park Lane, Singapore 798387

Where to Drink

Mission Juice

Mission Juice’s ethos is to help others achieve happy, healthy living through a balanced diet and building strong immunity. This is through their high quality, natural cold-pressed juice without any hidden additives, syrups, or ice dilution. All juices are made-to-order only and available by delivery island-wide.

Mission Juice, 12 Gopeng St, Singapore 078877

Graft

Graft is a eco-friendly bar that’s a joint venture between Jekyll and Hyde and the Mandala Group. Here, you’ll find plenty of edible plants and herbs in their food and drinks served in innovative upcycled glasses. The sustainable bar allows customers to pull the drink of their choice by hand, including a series of cocktails, beers, and mocktails on draft.

Graft, 76 Neil Road, Singapore, 088840

Where to Shop

Trove of Gaia

Inspired by the zero-waste stores she saw in France, beauty blogger June Fong (@JuneduJour) decided to open one of her own in Singapore in 2017. Their selection of quality green products aims to promote a sustainable lifestyle with a promise to plant one tree with every order. To visit their showroom, you’ll need to make an appointment, but there will be tea waiting for you.

Trove of Gaia, 158 Kallang Way, #08-13A, Performance Building, Singapore 349245

Dustbunny Vintage

Dustybunny Vintage was established in 2004 with a carefully curated line of dresses, bags, jewelry, and shoes from around the world. Here, you’ll find brand names like Chanel and Hermès, but they also have their own clothing label inspired by years of curating and selling vintage garments. An appointment is required to visit.

Dustbunny Vintage, 2A Keong Saik Road Singapore, Singapore 089110

What to See

Tampines Eco Green

While the manicured lawns of the Singapore Botanical Garden are picture-perfect, the natural state of the Tampines Eco Green makes for a different experience altogether. With minimum man-made structures in the park that can be hiked in two hours, it’s an amazing place to spot wildlife including the Blue-capped Cordon-blue and the Asian Golden Weaver.

Take a Farm Tour

Yes, Singapore has its own farms! Visit the Jurong Frog Farm to learn the ins and outs of raising American Bullfrogs from a farm that has been doing it since the ’70s. If you like goat milk, Hay Dairies Goat Farm is the only goat farm in Singapore with 800 goats. And if all you want is a good old-fashioned farm tour to get out in nature or educate your little one, Bollywood Veggies is a great choice.

See also: 8Shades’ Eco Travel Guide to Bangkok

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Bellroy – Sling Mini

This 100% recycled plastic bottle mini sling bag by Bellroy comes with two compartments and various inner fixtures, including mesh slip pockets, a soft-lined sunglasses pouch and a thoughtful built-in key clip. It’s perfect for scooter riders who need something that hugs the body.

Shop on Bellroy

Pacsafe – Vibe 325 ECONYL® Anti-Theft Sling Pack

Made from Econyl, a material crafted from upcycled ocean plastic waste, this theft-proof sling pack from Pacsafe has a layer of built-in stainless steel mesh (eXomesh slashguard), RFID blocking pockets and a bunch of security clips and locks to thrwart potential thieves. Its ocean blue colour is easy on the eyes, too.

Shop on Pacsafe

Mulberry – Recycled Nylon Messenger Bag

Mulberry has come out with a capsule of lifestyle accessories championing the use of recycled nylon for a more sustainable approach. The army green colour of this messenger bag features a distinctive barrel-shaped body and stylish drawstring details to help you blend in with nature.

Shop on MR PORTER

GRÜNBAG – Crossover Kites City Strap

Made from discarded kites of kitesurfers, GRÜNBAG’s colourful creations are completely one-of-a-kind. This Crossover bag can be adapted for work and leisure, with two inner pockets and enough space to fit a small laptop. The tarpaulin material is 100% waterproof, making it perfect for beach and water sports.

Shop on GRÜNBAG

Alchemy Goods – Brooklyn Backpack

Made from upcycled bicycle inner tube, this bag from Alchemy Goods gives off an urban industrial feel, while being naturally water-resistant. Not just good-looking, it’s got numerous compartments and outer pockets that give you easy access to your goods.

Shop on Alchemy Goods

Epperson Mountaineering – Climb Pack Large Backpack

Want trekking gear without looking like a park ranger? Epperson Mountaineering’s exclusive offering at MR PORTER brings a fashion proposition to climbing equipment. The exterior patchwork style is a fresh take, while the bag is uber-functional with a zipped top, front pocket, two side pockets and internal dividers.

Shop on MR PORTER

Patagonia – Arbor Lid Roll-Top Backpack

Patagonia’s fair-trade certified recycled canvas roll-top backpack in a tonal-blue colour combo was made to mimic the palette of coastal views. Don’t underestimate this compact backpack – it has a capacity of 28 litres to get you through all your city and trail adventures.

Shop on MR PORTER

Vivaia – Wallace Tote in Chevron

This ultimate summer carryall, Vivaia’s Wallace Tote is made from recycled plastic bottles using 3D knitting technology to minimise production waste. Its generous storage space lets you carry a 15-inch computer and still have plenty of room to spare. For a fuss-free travel experience, the totes are machine-washable – just be sure to place them in a laundry bag first.

Shop on VIVAIA

See also: 5 Sustainable Travel Hacks for Your Next Trip

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