Sustainable Development

At Asia Safari Laos, our primary objective is to offer our clients a high-quality travel experience that is environmentally friendly and affordable, while supporting the protection and development of the destinations and communities we visit.

Asia Safari Laos is committed to promoting sustainable development in all aspects of its operations. This policy reflects our commitment to minimizing negative impacts on social, cultural, economic, and environmental levels, and also includes considerations relating to the health and safety of our employees. Ultimately, we hope to positively influence our partners to do the same.

We use the Travelife platform to report our progress in sustainable development and to monitor and evaluate this progress. We are committed to communicating our sustainability performance every two years to our clients, partners, and stakeholders.

Our efforts to commit our agency to long-term sustainable development have enabled us to obtain the “Travelife Partner” award, of which we are very proud. The Travelife Partner award is recognition of our commitment to social and environmental sustainability. We comply with more than 100 criteria related to sustainability management, office operations, collaboration with suppliers, and communication with clients. We are working on further improvements in order to eventually meet the criteria for Travelife certification.
You will find our Travelife Partner certificate at the bottom of this page.

1. Legal Compliance

Asia Safari Laos complies with Lao regulations regarding human resources, human rights, children’s rights, land rights, environmental management, protection of flora and wildlife, and land use. We practice a zero-tolerance policy toward bribery, corruption, discrimination, and violation of human rights, including forced labor, human trafficking, and non-compliance with children’s rights.

2. Internal Management: Social Policy and Human Rights

Ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our employees is paramount. We uphold strict safety standards and advocate for a healthy work-life balance, establishing a fair employment policy, guaranteeing diversity and equality, fair wages, and development and learning opportunities.

3. Environmental Management

We strive to reduce our ecological footprint by implementing environmentally friendly practices, such as waste reduction, energy conservation, and sustainable sourcing.

Water Management: The agency has installed a water filter in its offices to make tap water drinkable and, ultimately, eradicate the use of plastic bottles. Our sanitary facilities are equipped with water-saving mechanisms.

Paper Management: All employees work on a shared server where work-related materials are stored. The agency sends its important documents and brochures electronically only, significantly reducing the use of printed paper. We do not print any brochures.

Supply Purchasing Policy: Asia Safari Laos is committed to sourcing products and services responsibly, sustainably, and locally, to minimize harmful effects on people, culture, and the environment. Whenever possible, we limit the purchase of products with plastic packaging.

Waste Management and Recycling: Asia Safari Laos collaborates with Zero Waste Laos, an organization that undertakes recycling and sustainable waste management initiatives (https://www.zerowastelaos.org/). Zero Waste Laos recently opened a sorting center where waste brought in is sorted, reused, transformed, or recovered for its materials.

Lighting and Energy Consumption: Office lighting is provided by low-energy LED bulbs. We favor natural light and turn off lights in unused rooms.
The most energy-intensive item in the office is air conditioning. Asia Safari Laos therefore favors the use of fans instead of air conditioning when temperatures and weather conditions permit.

Electronic Equipment: All electronic equipment (computers, printers, coffee machine, fans…) is plugged into power strips with switches that are turned off when not in use. Computers are automatically put to sleep after 20 minutes of inactivity.

4. General Policy Toward Suppliers

We are committed to rigorously selecting partners and suppliers who demonstrate strong alignment with our values: a commitment to local communities, environmental conservation efforts, and their sustainability certification or adherence to sustainable tourism practices. Our agency is actively involved in supporting community initiatives with significant impact, by supporting local development projects in the areas of environment, education, and healthcare.

5. Transportation

Whenever possible, Asia Safari Laos is committed to offering its clients the most environmentally friendly means of transportation, such as high-speed rail or electric alternatives, taking into account safety, distance, price, and comfort.

Our travel agency is committed to reducing our carbon footprint as much as possible and offsetting our remaining carbon emissions.

6. Accommodations

Asia Safari Laos makes it a point of honor to select accommodations that are already certified sustainable. If no certified accommodation is available in the destination, Asia Safari Laos is committed to choosing the most sustainable option that meets the safety, comfort, and price standards required by clients.

Our team regularly conducts inspections to ensure the establishments’ commitment to sustainable development and their initiatives in this area.

7. Activities and Excursions

Asia Safari Laos is committed to offering only sustainable and ethical excursions and activities that benefit local communities, respect animal welfare, and support environmental protection. The agency prohibits excursions that harm the environment and natural resources, that involve the exploitation of human beings and children of any kind, animal abuse, or that would be non-compliant with local, regional, and national regulations.

During excursions that are environmentally, socially, or culturally sensitive, clear guidelines are communicated to clients and enforced by excursion providers to ensure sustainable respect for local culture.

8. Tour Leaders, Local Representatives, and Guides

Asia Safari Laos only works with French-speaking or English-speaking guides licensed by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, who have in-depth knowledge of Laos, its history, beliefs and religions, and customs. They are best positioned to accompany and inform travelers about Lao culture and customs.

9. Destinations

Advising and designing personalized trips requires good knowledge of the terrain, places, infrastructure, and local stakeholders. Asia Safari has decided to limit its offering to Laos and maintains this knowledge through frequent scouting trips to all corners of the country. Our Franco-Lao biculturalism and our market experience are major assets for understanding the country, its mentality, its strengths, and its weaknesses.

10. Communication and Consumer Protection

Protecting our clients’ privacy is our priority. This is why we apply a clear privacy policy (https://www.asiasafari-laos.com/politique-de-confidentialite/).

Asia Safari Laos strives to be sincere in all situations and at all times. We offer products and services that correspond to what we announce in our communications. Clients are informed of the social and environmental impact of their trip. Asia Safari Laos maintains open lines of communication with its clients and encourages feedback at any time and on all subjects, particularly on sustainable development.

The company wants all of its clients’ experiences to be positive and applies strict policies regarding health and safety, marketing, and excursions to ensure client satisfaction.

Why choose Asia Safari for your trip to Laos?

Asia Safari is not a generalist tour operator based in France. We have been on site, in Vientiane, for over 25 years. Our guides are Lao, our accommodations are hand-picked, and each itinerary is tailor-made. The result: a vibrant, fair trip, without unnecessary frills.

• Local French-speaking agency: we speak your language and know the country from the inside
• Zero intermediaries: you deal directly with the local team
• Truly tailor-made: no fixed catalog — each trip is unique
• 25+ years of experience: founded in 2002, Asia Safari assists hundreds of French-speaking travelers every year

How does our tailor-made service work?

1. You send us your request (dates, budget, desires, profile)
2. We build a proposal within 48 hours — day-by-day itinerary, accommodations, all-inclusive price
3. You refine it with us until the trip is perfect
4. We manage everything on site: guides, transport, hotels, activities

When to visit Laos?

The best period is October to April — dry season, pleasant temperatures. The rainy season (May to September) is also possible: lush landscapes and fewer tourists, but some roads can be difficult. Asia Safari advises you according to the region and type of trip.

Laos, the heart of your Indochina tour

Laos is often the surprise of a trip: uncrowded, authentic, with a quiet beauty. Asia Safari makes Laos much more than a stopover — we make it the central experience of your stay, before or after Vietnam, Cambodia, or Thailand.

Our most requested Indochina combinations

Laos + Cambodia: A classic — temples of Luang Prabang and Angkor Wat, Mekong and Tonlé Sap. 15 days minimum recommended.
Laos + Vietnam: Two contrasting countries — the calm of Laos and the energy of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Vientiane or vice versa.
Northern Laos + Yunnan: For travelers seeking originality — travel from Yunnan to Laos via the Laos-China railway (inaugurated 2021).
Grand Indochina Tour (40 days): Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand — a memorable trip for life.

Tips for preparing your multi-country tour

Visas: each country has its own rules — Asia Safari guides you through all procedures.
Ideal duration: allow a minimum of 12 to 15 days for a 2-country combination.
Seasons: seasons vary by country — we help you choose the best window.
Budget: prices vary greatly by country. Laos is cheaper than Vietnam or Thailand.

Our Story

Jean-Paul Duvergé arrived in Laos at the turn of the 2000s, fell in love with the country, and decided to stay. In 2002, he founded Asia Safari with a simple idea: to offer French-speaking travelers direct access to authentic Lao life, without the filter of large Parisian agencies. Since then, the agency has assisted thousands of travelers, built a network of trusted guides and partners, and refined its philosophy: rigorous tailor-made travel, serving authenticity.

What sets us apart

We are on site: Our team works from Vientiane. We know the roads, seasons, accommodations, guides — and what changed last week. No outdated brochures.
We speak your language: Asia Safari is a 100% French-speaking agency. All our communications, proposals, and guides speak French.
Zero intermediaries: You work directly with us. No central purchasing, no Parisian subcontractors. Fairer prices and higher service quality.
Tailor-made as our only model: We do not have standardized tours. Each trip is designed from scratch, according to your dates, budget, desires, and traveler profile.

Our commitment

Asia Safari actively supports responsible tourism in Laos: prioritizing local accommodations, tours that benefit village communities, respect for cultural and natural sites.

Laos in figures

Area: 236,800 km² | Population: approximately 7.5 million inhabitants | Capital: Vientiane | Official language: Lao | Religion: Theravada Buddhism (65% of the population) | Currency: Lao Kip (LAK) | Time zone: UTC+7

Laos must-sees

Luang Prabang: Former royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, its golden temples, French colonial houses, and gentle way of life make it an undeniable favorite.
Vientiane: The human-sized capital — That Luang, Patuxai, and the banks of the Mekong are worth a visit.
Vang Vieng: Surrounded by limestone karsts, ideal for kayaking, caving, and hiking.
Southern Laos and 4000 Islands: Champassak, the Vat Phou temples (UNESCO), the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong islands.

Lao culture

Theravada Buddhism permeates all of Lao life. The alms giving (offerings to monks at dawn) in Luang Prabang is a daily ritual of great beauty. Lao festivals — Boun Pi Mai (Lao New Year in April), Boun Ok Phansa (Festival of Lights) — are exceptional times to travel.

Nature and biodiversity

Laos is 70% covered by forests. Its protected areas are home to rare species: Asian elephants, gibbons, sun bears. The rivers and plateaus offer natural settings of rare purity in Asia.