Topas Ecolodge supports MTV’s Campaign
Thursday, June 28, 2012, 15:21 GMT+7
MTV Exit recently ran a campaign in Vietnam raising awareness of the large problem of human trafficking and exploitation in Asia. They had invited the multimillion selling band Simple Plan as well as other bands to a concert in My Dinh National Stadium as a platform for their campaign.
Sapa O’Chau, a local social-enterprise running a minority education centre in Sapa, wanted to bring their students to this concert to give them a great experience and as their students are some of the ones most at risk of being taken from their families and homes. Topas Ecolodge supported Sapa O’Chau in organizing this trip to Hanoi to attend the music concert. Some students had never been further than 20 km from their homes - so for them it was a trip of a lifetime.
After the concert, MTV Exit and Simple Plan travelled to Sapa to continue the campaign by arranging workshops together with Sapa O’Chau and another local organization, Pacific Links. Topas Ecolodge, once again, was honoured to be chosen as the host of this workshop. With its unique, ecologically friendly and well fitted bungalows, as well as a beautiful 360 degree view of the mountains of North Vietnam, Topas Ecolodge was highly impressed by the internationally acclaimed group of musicians who are used to staying in the best hotels around the world. Simple Plan’s impression of Topas Ecolodge can be seen in some pictures they posted on their website during their stay.
"My view at 6.30am from the foot of my bed” – posted by Pierre, vocalist of Simple Plan
As the only one of its kind in Vietnam, Topas Ecolodge (www.topasecolodge.com) has been a favourite place to stay by many Vietnamese and International tourists. With a perfect location - situated atop of two cone shaped hills, set deep in the spectacular Sapa valley and offering a panoramic view over towering verdant peaks and sweeping valleys. It’s also home to the villages of the Black Hmong, Tay and Red Dao ethnic minority people. Topas Ecolodge is based on ecological principles. They employ local people and buy products and goods locally, in order to bring economic benefits to the local community. The construction and operation was designed to ensure that it has a minimum impact on the surrounding environment, further supporting the local community.
