More than just tourist guides

Robert

“I was a sound engineer at “Radio France” when I decided to do, for the first time, a trip to South East Asia. It was in 1997, I went in Thailand and Laos, and the population fascinated me: their lifestyle, their good mood, and their philosophy… A bit like if nonchalance was not a fault!!

In 1999, I decided to quit my job in Europe to make my life in Laos. At the time, the communications were not developed. There was no internet, Facebook or Skype. Laos was a forgotten country, just another world!! I fell in love.

But globalization arrived quickly and Laos began to know the tourism: tour packages, tour operators and backpackers following the tour guide book without experimenting anything else. What a change.

Local people seemed to be more distant. They did not dare to speak with visitors as much as before. Even small children, once so daring, became a bit shy.

I thought that something could be done, to give back to the people its pride and the main role in the discovery of a country. From there came the idea of ​​these trips. The program in Laos was already clear in mind. In 2005, I lived in Cambodia a year to think about a travel program. I made contact with French associations for solidarity and tourism, to whom I presented our network: independent persons, not often tourism professionals, who want to participate in welcoming visitors.

We have worked with two of these associations since 2006, “Vision du Monde” and “La Route des Sens”, on their travel programs in Laos and Cambodia. In 2010, “Vision du Monde” presented our trip to Vietnam and to Myanmar in 2014.

I take care of all the organization of the travel, training guides to become translators as well, surveying for new excursions. Also, since 2007, I use the solidarity fund of the associations and of Solidarasia to answer development needs of villages or local associations.”

Proen

“I am a tourist guide based in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

 I know Solidarasia since 2008. From the first time I have worked for these trips, I fell in love with it. At many places in the journey, we are welcomed by villagers, who come not only to serve us good food, but also to share with us about their daily life, their culture…

Each time I go to Ms. Am family, in Sra Srang village and in Daem Po village, in Kampot province, I always feel like with my own family. We eat together and we dance traditional dance, accompanied by Khmer traditional musical instruments.

The various meetings with people working in very different fields give the opportunity to know my country and its people. So I want to thank Solidarasia for letting me participate in this project and to organize this kind of travel that gives us the opportunity to sincerely share with tourists what my country has to offer.”

Livoin

“The first time I worked with Solidarasia, I was very happy because it was finally possible to communicate with the local people.

 We were welcomed like friends in all places we went. It was quite new for me, even extraordinary. We slept by the villagers and it was always interesting because I could share a lot with tourists: on the daily life of my country, the customs, the cuisine, the specialties of each province visited.

I particularly like the walk around Daem Po village, in Kampot province. It enables us to see a lot of the life in the countryside and to climb up on a hill to enjoy the view over the beautiful landscape of coconut trees surrounding the village.

For me, these trips are really wonderful experiences.”

Khan

“My name is Khan, from the heart of Tonkin. I wear two hats, one of professional guide and one of translator I love the first that allows me to achieve my dream since I was in university. Travel, discover my friendly country Vietnam and meet people from all around the world.

The guide, “the soul of each travel”, also plays another important role as being a bridge between local people and foreigners. During these travels I am fascinated by the beautiful sceneries, the rich ranges of color, both in the nature and in the costumes of the 54 ethnic minorities of the country. Their customs and traditional dishes also fascinate me. I am very pleased to be part of and to contribute to the great encounters between locals and travelers, who came to discover the populations in a friendly way.

I worked before with 6 travel agencies, and now for 3 agencies that believe in responsible tourism. I am happy to travel differently. I will always remember the day when people presented me this type of travels and sustainable development projects; all this tie in with my thoughts. Solidarasia is among the three agencies for which I would like to dedicate my work now.

Travel with us, sharing, and have great experiences.

Those were few words from someone who eats Mr. Bean (someone who likes jokes), as people with whom I traveled said! ‘

Aung Moe

“This is truly a journey like no other. It is not just simple tourism. This is what I want to say, but you’ll have to discover by yourself !!”

Loi

“As a local cultural guide, I like to introduce to travelers tours off the beaten tracks. 

With encounters, on site, of people from the region, of ethnic minorities maybe as well, it is more fun and gives a better understanding of my country.

I like to become a translator during these moments. It allows travelers to speak directly with the people and get the information from the source.

Traveling with Solidarasia gives me a great pleasure, the one of travel differently in Vietnam.”