This post is 9 years old already. How time flies. Most of the information remains true. I now only use one tour company. Not perfect but the best a person can get. The owner is a personal friend and I have witnessed how hard he looks after his clients. I respect them so much that they are the only company I considered partnering with. Check out www.vexploretravel.com I bet my reputation you cannot find a better tour company. Tell them I sent you. (their staff know I am best friends with the boss: 😉
DIY or an organized tour of Vietnam
I am happy to announce that my Egg guy and his darling wife are back on the job. Both of them are bruised and sore, and the man hase stitched on his head, but they are back making those sandwiches everybody enjoys. As a welcome back, he was overrun with business and had to close early because her ran out of stock.
I have read many posts on the web forums about whether a person should use a tour company to travel, or whether to do it ones self. There are many people who are familiar with Vietnam and are comfortable with making travel arrangements on their own. I am one of them. Do it yourself (DIY) travel is not difficult if you are the adventurous type, or are travelling on a very strict budget. Most of the areas a person will stay in Vietnam have tour
companies with English speakers that can assist you in booking local sights, air, bus and trail tickets, and many other services. In most cases it is the same price as if you booked yourself. The agency is making its money by a commission paid by the service provider. DIY travel is the cheapest and most flexible way to travel but how do you know where to go, or even how to get there? Expect problems … The language barrier and sometimes just the different expectations of what you think you are purchasing can lead to frustration. I was faced with the same dilemmas years ago and found that I missed some of the best sights of
Vietnam because I was not even aware of their existence. It is true that DIY is something that can be done with some research and planning, and if you have a solid stomach, you can eat at some of the most unusual and delicious places. DIY is the way I travel by myself, but if entertaining guests or recommending to a person who has no Vietnam experiences the things to see, I often refer to a good guide or tour company and here is why.
I have had conversations with a couple of personal friends that run one of the better tour companies in Vietnam. (I feel the urge to give a big plug for them here but I will resist) Reputable tour companies are regulated by the
government and HAVE to conform to certain standards to make sure the tourist is safe and protected. All of the restaurants they will take you are of good quality, and there should be nothing that will make you ill. Even fussy eaters will find something that they are comfortable to consume. Tour companies are also familiar with most or all of the sights you will want to see. You can travel most of the country without missing important highlights. Sure you will be in a group on an adventure… but so are we if we DIY… we still book through a local agent and do s similar trip. But probably the most important thing the Tour Company provides is the piece of mind that all of your transportation, accommodation, and other bothersome details are covered. Vietnam can be a bit stressful to the first timer and worrying about details should be totally unnecessary. Tour companies can also get you prices much better than you 
can do for yourself if you are a 2 star traveler like me. In the long run, I honestly believe that you end up spending less money with the organized tour because there is no need for the taxi expenses to go places, the many hidden costs, and you do not get overcharged for things as many new comers do. Your guide is a wealth of information on where and what to spend.
It has been my experience that the backpackers travelling on the tightest budget imaginable almost always opt for the DIY option. That is fine, but many never get a taste of anything but the tourist areas and local sites of the areas they stop, and have very little opportunity to explore the sights and famous landmarks between destinations. For those that can afford a bit more, a tour package can cost as little
as 50 dollars a day and it will include everything except perhaps your dinner each day. You will also be put up in hotels that are usually of a good standard. Just make clear to the company what level of hotel you want, and they will make it happen. I myself have been coming here for 12 years and now live here, but I still use my friends at the tour company to escort friends and family instead of trying to do it myself. It is just so much easier. However, I do not take a pre arranged package. The best way to travel here if you are a newbie in my opinion, is to do your research on where to go and what you want to see, and then supply that information to the tour company. A good company can set it all up for you. You can even ask them to take you to alternative places not so touristy. It is your trip after all. Keep in mind that the more there are, the cheaper the price will be, so if you are traveling solo, you may have no choice but to join a group. My wife and I joined a group on a Cambodia tour and had a great time even though we could have done it ourselves quite easily.
In the end it is up to you. It costs nothing to ask or get a quote…
One last piece of advice. If you are considering a tour company, use one located in Vietnam rather than in your home country unless you are going on some kind of group charter. It will cost much less
I recently discovered your blog, and enjoyed reading !
We want to travel to Vietnam in july next year for +/- 18 days. I’ve understood from your website that using a local travel agency might be the best choice.
I’ve got the name of a travel agency, Topas travel from Hanoi, from people that have used their services earlier this year. As they were happy with it, I guess their service is OK (not sure if you know them and might have other experioences ?). But as we are traveling with 5 people (3 kids – 17-18 and 20 years old) and I’m not Bill Gates, price is important. So I have no idea how they compare to other agencies (like the one you use ). So I would appreciate some feedback – thanks.
I suggest usung my guys of course 😉 I will email you
The kids should be fine on the boat to the caves and with most of the cruise, however, Kayaking is probably out. 6 days is enough. 3 night Sapa (2 of them on night train) 2 nights Hanoi and 1 night Halong Bay…. add another to Hanoi if you wish. If you want it to be stress free, Have my people ( V’Explore )build the trip for you
Hi Owee,
I am planning to go Vietnam in end Nov/early Dec, with parents (60+ yrs old) and young children (3 and 7 yrs old). We plan to go Hanoi, Halong Bay, and may be Sapa.
My main concern is traveling with young children. The activities described in most forums/websites i chanced upon seems not suitable for this age group. For example, kayaking at Halong Bay, small boat ride to explore caves, etc. I may have the wrong idea, so your advise will be greatly appreciated.
Will a 7 days/6 nights trip enough time to cover these 3 areas? Or I should just do Hanoi-Halong Bay-Hanoi? I understand it will be cold in Nov/Dec, is this a good time to go?
What is a sample itinerary for my plan? I would like to have a more relaxing trip as there are 2 children in toll.
Any suggestions/comments will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Owee,
I enjoy reading your blog!
I’m planning to return to Saigon after 37 years. My husband and I will arrive Saigon on October 16 and leave from Hanoi on Oct 26. We have 10 days to explore VN, I’m thinking to spread out our time Saigon 4 days, Nha Trang 3 days, and Hanoi, Ha Long 3 days. Does this itinerary look okay? Thanks for your advice.
-Cindy
ooo…. now I see your intention… October is a slow time of year in Nha Trang bercause of rainy season so no need to prebook, however, maybe pre book Hanoi. There is also is many tour compainies that can book your junk for you. The company I am involved with currently use Oriental Sails. Book your flights in advance as in October, there can sometimes be flight delays and if you are prebooked, you will get highest priority on next available flight.
Hi, my husband and I are traveling to your fantastic country in August next year, (I realize it’s a long way away, but planning and studying about the country is all part of the holiday for me). Anyway we have about 21 /22 days. Motorbike trek, cooking classes, halong bay, R&R. Shopping. If possible i would love to try snorkelling or scuba. Some of the things We want to include. We dont want to spend all our time travelling to one place then the other. We would fly oppose to train between. We prefer private tours, so then we can do what we want, get up early if needed and not have to wait for others.
The reason why we travel in August is to get out of the very cold weather we have here in Christchurch, New Zealand also My husband turns 60 while we are there?
Thanks Chris and Marty
Look me and my friends up when time is closer, we can make all of those ideas come true….. Lucky me…. I am off on a motorcycle tour this morning 😉 Also, I should be posting longer itinerarie suggestions soon.
Hi, there will be 8 people travelling to Hanoi and Nha Trang. Is it better to diy or to organise a private tour/driver?
With 8 people it will be a lot easier if you have it arranged for you…..probably only about 80 dollars per person almost all inclusive.
Hi Owee,
Myself (from UK) and a friend from Spain arrive in Saigon on the 28th July for about 19 days in total. We arrive on the same day but at slightly different times. In your opinion will it be possible to do Hanoi, Halong bay, Nha Trang, Mekong, Saigon, also Siem Riep to see some of the ruins within that time period? Or if you can suggest an alternative itinerary for 19 days that would be great, we are open to do internal flights when required. Do internal flights need to be booked well in advance to get the best deals like here in Europe? I understand we are coming in the rainy season so do flights get cancelled often and which parts of the country are the most dry? I have read some of your website for information on Vietnam, which has been very helpful. We normally do DIY trips when we both travel together, but we also may consider guided tours to save us time and see much as possible. Depending on your response I may ask you some other question if you don’t mind as this is our first trip to Vietnam. As I have read from some of your past comments pre-booking is not always necessary. is that true for most things? Look forward for your advice.
Regards, Din
Hi Din,
I will respond by email, but you certainly have time to do it all.
I’m wanting to travel from Saigon, departing 19/8, to Siem Reap, departing there on 24 august. can you suggest a tour operator to take me there? should i book online now, or wait till i get to Saigon? as a solo traveller, I find the cost of an escorted tour is expensive, so would be happy to be part of a guided tour. i want to boat part of Mekong, then travel onto PP, and finally spend a few days in SR.
any suggestions appreciated
I would wait until you get to Saigon. There are many tours to Siem Riep you can join. I did one with Saigon Tourist in the past and it was pretty good. Boating trips the Mekong can also be bookes in one of the local travel companies you will see all over the tourist area in Saigon. Don’t worry about pre booking at all.
Hi Owee
I plan to be in Nha trang from September 16,2012 for 2 weeks then Saigon for 1 week. Not a fan of heavy rain. Do you recommend to be in Nha trang toward in the second half of september this year?
Thanks for your response.
Hi will,
September usually still has good weather however, we are going into our rainy season so there is a chance.The heave rains do not usually happen until the end of Octobwer and november. The earlier in September the better.
We are planning to go to HCMC and Cambodia. When would be the best time and how many days should we allot for such a trip? Instead of joining a tour,could you
recommend a rental with driver we could hire? Thank you very much.
Ernesto,
Best time is March until end of June. I would suggest 4 nights in Cambodia. 3 in Siem riep and 1 in Phnomn Penh. You would need 3 weeks for Vietnam places I suggest are Saigon with Mekong, Nha Trang, Dalat, Hoi An, Hue, Sapa, Halong and Hanoi.
Most drivers do not speak English, so you would also need a guide. Check with my friends at V’Explore