Here some of our Southeast Asia specialists talk about their own experiences and how you can ensure that your visit gives something back to the areas that you spend time in.

Vietnam - Hmong Tribe, Ha Giang Province

Ha Giang Province, for so long isolated and cut off by the Vietnamese Government, has remained almost totally unaffected by modern influences and is home to a number of indigenous minority groups. It is thought that there are eleven minority groups inhabiting this remote and beautiful province and a twelfth that has not yet been documented.

In early 2007 I discovered a land free from the incessant march of commerce and industry, and people who had had almost no contact with the West. They were warm and hospitable, curious and inquisitive. Their villages were quintessential images of a Vietnam of yesteryear: if it hadn’t been for the occasional telephone line and scooter the scene could have come from a century ago.

The best place to meet minority tribes such as the Black La Chi, the Giay, the Flower Hmong and the Lo Lo is at the weekly local markets, when they descend from their remote mountain homes. Here you’re not invading their space: they come to trade, drink, eat and gossip, mixing freely with each other before returning back into the hills, often a day’s walk away.

At a time when the central government of Vietnam is encouraging uniformity across the country, it is crucial to support the traditional ways and beliefs of the many minorities in the province.

We have set up a number of home-stays in the region and ensure that any interaction has a positive impact on their lives and that money spent in the area goes to help local people and support their economy.

Mark Hotham: 01993 838 112

Thailand - Palong Tribe, Nor Lae Village

In the old Lanna kingdom, where the northern reaches of Thailand roll in forested hills towards the border with Burma, I only expected to find fauna and flora.

I hadn’t counted on the many hill tribes I’d come across, their villages scattered on slopes and mounts throughout this untouched part of the country. Stopping mid-trek along the lush mountain track, the generosity of the local Nor Lae village shone through as I was invited onto a wooden veranda for tea, freshly picked.

In these self-sufficient communities cocooned in their surrounding hills kindness to strangers seems to come naturally – something that has long disappeared in the West – and was repeated again and again.

The villagers of Nor Lae are of the Palong tribe where the men spend their days hunting in the forest and the women are either in the fields or sitting on their verandas weaving silks for market, and always seemed to enjoy the diversion of an exchange of smiles.

Alongside the Palong tribe, the Lahu Khob Dong, Ban Pang Ma and Akha hill tribes are blessed with fertile soils, and in the past the main crop was opium. With help from the Thai government the whole ethos has been changed, and now the crops are strawberries, lychees, tea and orchids that can be sold to visiting trekkers and to the markets in the large towns.

I found these villages gave me a fascinating insight to a culture that is steeped in tradition but completely aware that a modern day business sense is essential to preserving their heritage.

Mark Robinson: 01993 838 107

Laos - Akha Tribe, Luang Nam Tha

On my last trip to Laos I stayed in the northern village of Luang Nam Tha at the delightful Boat Landing Guesthouse, perched on the banks of the Nam Tha river. This eco-friendly guesthouse provides its own energy using solar panels and sources all food locally. They believe in small-scale, low impact tourism and actively support many local wildlife and community improvement projects in the nearby Nam Ha National Park.

The mountainous area around Luang Nam Tha is surrounded by rolling primary forest, rich river plains and many colourful minority groups. There are no less than 25 different ethnic groups living in the Nam Ha province, and it is well worth spending a few days in the area to really get to know the people.

I was lucky enough to visit an Akha village and found them incredibly welcoming. Friendly and smiling, they were happy to have their photo taken with me.

There is a wealth of activities such as trekking, mountain biking and kayaking on offer, all of which can be tailored to fit your individual requirements.

By visiting this region you work in partnership with an established ecotourism project both owned and operated by the local community which ensures they benefit directly from tourism in the area. Such empowerment projects encourage villagers to appreciate and preserve both their heritage and natural environment.

Lyn Richards: 01993 838 129

Papua New Guinea - Asaro Mud Men, Goroka

Of more than a hundred different tribes in Papua New Guinea’s highlands, the Asaro people are renowned for their intimidating war costume, the centrepiece of which is a huge, individually crafted mud mask, complete with grotesque facial features. Legend has it that when losing a fight with a neighbouring tribe the Asaro retreated to a muddy river. They emerged to be confused with ‘evil water spirits’ and their enemies ran away.

Despite this threatening costume, I found the Asaro people to be extremely welcoming. At the little village of Gerumeyaka in the highlands near Goroka I was presented with a captivating display of their rather menacing warrior dance. My hosts then prepared a traditional ‘mumu’ lunch of meat and vegetables, slow-cooked underground below an open fire, and we all ate with the villagers.

Papua New Guinea is a relative newcomer to tourism and many of the tribal traditions have never been exposed to the outside world. This makes for a truly refreshing experience for the responsible visitor, who can play a crucial role in ensuring these fascinating rituals are celebrated and preserved for future generations.

Victoria Greygoose: 01993 838 122

Borneo - Iban Tribe, Batang Ai

Borneo is a truly multi-cultural country where a large number of tribal groups can be found. The most famous are the Iban and Rungus tribes who inhabit the Malay states of Sarawak and Sabah.

I visited an Iban community and stayed with them in their longhouse: it gave me a fascinating insight into how they combine their traditional way of life with the few elements of modern life that suit their needs.

One thing that has certainly not faded is their warmth, hospitality and humour. Travellers aren’t new: naturally sociable, many of these tribes have welcomed visitors into their homes for decades. They relish the opportunity to share their cultural heritage and delicious food with people who are interested in learning about their culture.

Just visiting one of Borneo’s tribes positively contributes to their economy and enables these diverse and vibrant tribes to continue their traditional way of life. Each family lined up to show me the handicrafts that they had made, and I was more than happy to make a couple of purchases: encouraging this will allow these expressions of tribal identity to survive indefinitely.

My night was spent on the banks of the Batang Ai Reservoir and I was welcomed into their longhouse with traditional music and dance and plied with the ever-present tuak, home-brewed rice wine that seems to flow generously on every social occasion. I don’t think I’ve ever met such friendly people and it remains one of my favourite memories of Sarawak.

James Pook: 01993 838 124