My journey with TVPalm – Pioneering sustainable ecotourism in northern Vietnam

My story: Weaving a greener tomorrow

I am the founder of TVPalm, driven by a burning passion to contribute to a sustainably developing Vietnam. On a 2-hectare plot 8 km from the old Ha Giang center (now part of Ha Giang ward, Tuyen Quang), I established TVPalm Ecolodge, nestled on the eastern slope of Tay Con Linh – the “roof” of northeast Vietnam. Surrounded by highland ethnic minority communities, I pioneered redefining sustainable ecotourism through TVPalm Ecolodge and TVPalm Adventure, with a plastic-free model that honors local culture and empowers indigenous communities. My dream is vibrant: a plastic-free future where sustainable ecosystems thrive, highland ethnic minority communities prosper, and every traveler lives greener.

From 2020, the journey to reclaim degraded land at TVPalm’s site has become a symbol of this commitment. Initially, the land was a sandy, rocky, barren expanse incapable of supporting plant growth. With unwavering persistence, I enriched the topsoil using 350 cubic meters of thoroughly dried mud slurry, spread evenly across the area. Over five years, 100 tons of composted cow manure were applied to add organic nutrients, and today, 20 tons of organic chicken manure are used annually combined with monthly grass cutting to create biomass and enhance the natural humus layer. Annually, tons of organic waste from food leftovers are buried after microbial enzyme treatment, transforming waste into valuable nutrients without pollution. The result is approximately 4,500 diverse trees thriving robustly, preventing landslides during rainy seasons – a common issue in Ha Giang and northern Vietnam. This process has attracted birds, squirrels, bamboo rats, and forest cats, creating a safe habitat for wildlife. TVPalm strictly prohibits hunting, reports wrongdoing to protect forests and animals, and has been honored by Booking.com with a 4-star ecological sustainability rating – likely the only one in northern Vietnam.

My mission

I founded TVPalm to prove that sustainable ecotourism is an inevitable trend, restoring rather than destroying. My principles are:

• No single-use plastic: Completely eliminate plastic in all operations.
• Regenerative systems: 100% organic cleaning products from soapberries, orange peels, fermented rice water, free of harmful chemicals.
• Empowering communities: Partner with highland ethnic minorities to reforest and build sustainable livelihoods.
• Environmental education: Inspire ecological awareness through real experiences.

My commitments

I am steadfast in my commitments:

• TVPalm avoids bottled plastic water, providing reusable metal bottles and filtered water stations for guests. Thermos bottles left after TVPalm Adventure tours are cleaned and donated to highland students in old Ha Giang (now Tuyen Quang). For you, it’s a bottle; for highland ethnic minority children, it’s warmth in harsh winters, a ray of hope in a life like a survival lesson.
• Protect biodiversity by planting 5,000 precious timber trees with highland ethnic minorities by 2030, reviving the mystical Tay Con Linh forests.
• Train 300 individuals from highland ethnic minorities in community tourism skills and English by 2030, prioritizing employment at TVPalm.
• Operate a closed-loop system, recycling organic waste through biodegradation technology, reclaiming land, and developing thousands of green trees at TVPalm Ecolodge to mitigate climate change impacts.
• Nurture a sustainable future through language and tourism vocational training, supporting communities to build resilient, green societies.

Annually, on the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month, TVPalm joins the Dao community’s forest god worship festival, contributing precious timber trees like Tonkin rosewood (Dalbergia tonkinensis), Burmese rosewood (Pterocarpus macrocarpus), and fragrant vatica (Vatica odorata) for locals to plant on Tay Con Linh forests, combined with Ha Giang forest ranger station

to promote forest protection.

Experiences I offer

At TVPalm Ecolodge, I invite you to:

• Make organic soap from soapberries and orange peels, guided by the TVPalm team.
• Cook Dao and H’mong dishes, honoring indigenous culinary heritage.
• Plant trees with highland ethnic minorities, contributing to re-greening Tay Con Linh.
• Explore culture through Tay Then singing, fire-jumping ceremonies, love duets, Dao initiation rites, and vibrant local markets.

With TVPalm Adventure, I guide you to:

• Trek pristine trails, discovering Tay Con Linh, Ban Gioc waterfall (Cao Bang), mountain lakes (Bac Kan), where nature remains untouched.
• Journey by motorbike or car through Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, admiring northeast Vietnam’s paradise gardens.
• Engage in cultural exchanges with highland ethnic minorities, supporting community tourism and learning local stories.

Future vision

My heart is dedicated to the environment and highland ethnic minority communities. I commit to:

• Expand reforestation, protecting Tay Con Linh ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.
• Train highland ethnic minorities as green tourism ambassadors, leading sustainable tourism.
• Advocate for plastic-free policies, inspiring global conscious tourism.
• Build resilient communities where highland ethnic minorities weave a brilliant future with TVPalm.

Invitation to the world

TVPalm is the flame of my life – calling for a green planet. Wherever you come from, I warmly invite you to www.tvpalm.com, immerse yourself in a meaningful journey, enrich your emotions, and join me in making the world better through sustainable ecotourism.