The V'Explore team
Many people have asked me what tour company they should use. There are many companies in Vietnam. So many in fact, it can become a daunting task to find one. In the 14 years I have been traveling to Vietnam, I have used a number of different local tour companies. Why Local? Because you can get a much better deal than having your overseas tour company do it. Many overseas companies simply contract your group tour to a company located in Vietnam, and make a commission without doing much of the work or planning. There are many local tour companies that can be found on internet forums. Many of them have a reputation they wish to maintain, and specialize in a region where they will personally guide you. They can be a good choice but do a little research. Some of
Vuong Nghia, Hau, Joy and I
them have a lot of cheerleading going on where none should exist, others on the forums are agents that contract the work out to individual guides and make their profits from commissions. Again do some research n them. Many of them simple just hire un tested guides and leave you in their care. The best of the best tour companies have very high standards and are meticulous to a customers needs. Here is where I would like to introduce you to the tour company I personally use, and my now good friends.
In the top picture:1st row, Mr. Long next is Mr. Fu (the owner of our land tour in Cambodia) then Mr. Thavin (the owner of our land tour in Laos) then Mr. Tung our operator in Ha Noi.2nd row, from the left hand of Mrs. Linh (Nghia’s wife) is Ms. Trang, next is Thanh then Quyen, Lien , Mrs. Tuyet (Our operator in Hue).
From the right hand of Linh is Ms. Binh, then Ms. Dung then Ha (with her baby)who is now our tour operator in Ha Noi.
Please be advised that I do not work for, or am paid by V’EXPLORE Travel. I write this because this is my honest opinion.
| V’EXPLORE TRAVEL CO., LTD No. 33 street 01, Do Thanh Compound, Ward 4, Dist. 3, HCMC, Vietnam Tel: +8 48 3 8 329 866 / 3 8 329 868 Fax: +848 3 8 329 867 Email: sales@vexploretravel.com or info@vexploretravel.com |
http://visitindochina.net/index.php Check out the homestay in Mekong Delta. That is Owee and Ca’rot in the small boat.
Hau and Nghia turning a wake into a good time
I suggest contacting my good friend Hau, just tell him you found him through me or the Tide Hotel and he will give you his personal attention
Hau Nguyen (Mr.)
Sales Department.
Skype: nguyenthaihau1 hau@vexploretravel.com
Now let me tell you a bit about my friends both personally and professionally. I first was introduced to the owner Nghia and his general manager Hau in the winter of 2008. I had a group of 16 co-workers and friends that thought it a great opportunity to travel to Vietnam with
No traffic where we are
someone who knew the country. I had the destinations in mind, but did not want to use any of the companies from the past because of poor travel experiences. Two of them were big name companies that I see references to a lot of time in the travel forums. I did some research on the Trip Advisor forums and sought out an advisor such as myself for his opinion and experience on the company he had used. Through him (now a good friend), I was introduced to V’EXPLORE. I sent a list of destinations, and a schedule that I wanted all of them to fit into. To my surprise, he replied very quickly with the first draught of an itinerary that was very close to what I had in mind. Aha!! I thought. If these people could come in with a decent price, it looked like I found the right company. Trying to organize a country wide trip on my own was exhausting and difficult to do. We went back and forth until the details were
Always eat too much
worked out and it was time for a price. To my amazement, they came in not only lower than I had costed on doing it on my own…… but much lower. I had told them the star rating of the hotels I wanted, the places I wanted to go that were different from most tours. They seemed to have built almost the perfect trip. Hau and Nghia met our group at the airport and escorted up to our hotel. We did not see them again until the end of our trip, and we spent an evening of eating, drinking and fun before leaving. There were a few emergencies, and they were able to change on the fly. We even had one of our party pass away in Hanoi, and they came through with flying colors. I have now been on a number of tours with them and am currently planning another adventure for Feb of 2011.
Here are a few things that set them above other companies:
A wave from Nghia
They only use accredited and licensed guides.
All guides are personally interviewed and assessed for English ability.
Only new vehicles in good condition are used.
All trips are custom built for you at the budget level you wish.
They are able to get accommodation and transfer prices lower than you can yourself.
They assure that all of the meals included on your tour are in quality establishments that are safe to eat.
If anything…. And I mean anything happens and you have to make changes to your itinerary, they can handle it. It happened to me.
The group V'Explore arranged the tour for.
Nghia and Hau are now very good friends and we spend time together going on adventures whenever we have the time to get together. I have met many of their staff and have been impressed by the honest, good nature, and their hard working spirit.
If you are planning a tour, Email them and have them custom build one to your tastes. I would not recommend them unless I was 100 percent satisfied. I also have a reputation to maintain.
In my next post, I will suggest an itinerary that will take a tourist to fantastic destinations mostly undiscovered by tourists. I might even be convinced to be a guide for such a tour.
Sounds Great Owee , looking forward to your Suggest Itinerary.
Oh I forgot to Ask , do they do Tours for the Single Traveller.
OF course, they specialize in anything you want. Having a tour all to yourself will probably cost more…. The more people, the less expensive.
Hi Owee,
Very interested to read your blog and comments about Vexplore.
We are visiting beautiful Vietnam for the 2nd time in April, we are spending more time and visiting more places than last time.
We considered travelling by ourselves (husband and wife)and being independant, however, another couple decided to join us.
We thought that it would be a good idea to get some help with the itinerary.
Found your recommendation to Vexplore on TA and e-mailed Hau. About the same time we were contacted by a fellow Aussie living in Vietnam and apparently conducts tours.
Hau replied almost immediately, then re-configured the itineray a couple of times, custom building and with a good price before the Aussie was even able to provide us with basic itinerary; without a price.
At this stage we are impressed with Vexplore. Will let you know how the trip turns out when we return.
THANKYOU
Tearing my hair out trying to organise trip to Vietnam via Hong Kong and then Kuala Lumpa. I can arrange flights from UK no problem but wish to tour Vietnam and struggling to find a tour from Ha Noi to HCMC without International flights, nightmare. I will now contact V’Explore. Fingers crossed here goes
Kind regards
Gail
You will not be diappointed Gail. They are a great bunch.
Hi Owee, thanks for all your info, due to your reccomendation my mum, brother two sisters and brother in law will be visiting Vietnam in November and using V’explore. So far Hau has been wonderful so i will let you know how we go! i am just so excited to take my 71 year old mum who has always wanted to come.
Cheers Leonie (AUS)
hi Owen, I just wanted to report back that as promised based on your wonderful recommendation we used V’explore who were truly AMAZING! We loved them all so much and really enjoyed having the chance to meet you too!! Next time we will come out to see you at the Tide
Thanks again for providing us with all the free support and information which is always genuine and accurate – you are a gem!
cheers,
Leonie (AUS)
You are welcome Leonie,
It was a pleasure meeting all of you
I read in one of your comments (about buying pearls in Halong Bay) that you used a midrange tour boat. would you mind telling me the the name as I am trying to choose a 2 night/ not all about the food/ safe/ reasonably active/ staying on the baot at night/ somewhat off the beaten track cruise !!
grateful for your help
Christine
Hello Owee,
Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge of Vietnam and help point the ways to visitors. My husband and I are planning to visit the beginning of May and are trying to work out a 10 – 12 day itinerary, from Hanoi, Halong bay, to Sapa/Mai Chau, then Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta, then on to Angkor Wat. I wonder if this is possible within the time frame, but I do need to make it to Malaysia to see family. Would appreciate any suggestions. We like spectacular sceneries, colorful markets, bird photography, and observe authentic way of life. No motorbikes and long, hot trekking as we are a little “soft”
.
I read that you recommend Vexploretravel. Is Mr. Hau the right person to contact for an itinerary proposal and cost?
Thank you so much.
Best Regards,
Emily
Yes….. Hau is the man. 10-12 days is not nearly enough time. In that time you could see
Hanoi 2 nights
Halong 1 night
Sapa 3 nights
Fly to Saigon
2 nights Saigon
1 night Mekong
Fly to Siem Riep
2 nights Siem Riep
It will be a very rushed vacation and you will see very little of “real Vietnam I am afraid.
I have also emailed you so you can respond to me directly if you wish
In 1969 I was a U. S. Army adviser in a small village in the Mekong delta. I loved the people and the delta region. If I return to the village (now much, much larger as judged from Google Maps) for a visit, what are the courtesies that must be followed regarding my having been there as an American soldier during the war? I have photos of the village as it used to be, which local officials might like to have as reference items, but I don’t know if I would offend by offering them. If asked questions by local people about my previous experience there, is it possible to speak frankly (courteously, of course) or is one wiser to say nothing?
Thanks for any help.
David
Trust me David… Americans are loved in the south. Enjoy
I just wanted to say thank you – love your blog! We are planning a trip and I stumbled across it. Glad you are enjoying your adventure.
Thanks for that………… Enjoy your holiday and please let me know if you nees any help