Vexplore Travel, my choice in tour companies

The V’Explore team

Why Vexplore Travel?

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.

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 19 years I have been traveling to Vietnam, I have used a number of different locally based 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.

Vuong Nghia, Hau, Joy and I

Some of them have a lot of cheerleading going on in internet forums when 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 on the tour company. Many of them simply just hire untested guides and leave you in their care without follow up. The best tour companies have very high standards and are meticulous to a customers needs. The old addage is so true..(What you pay is what you get)… especially in Vietnam. Caution is advised for those looking for the cheapest option. It is not fun having your guides take you to endless venues where they get a commissions or kick backs.

Here is where I would like to introduce you to the tour company I personally use for my own family and friends, They have become my very good friends and I stand behind them 100%.

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

They also have subsidiaries www.visitindochina.net and http://www.aodaigo.com/ are the only company that are partnered with my Central Highland Tours.

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).

 

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 RipTide Homestay 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 found an individual that had a positive experience with Vexplore Travel. 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.

 

It is now 2015 and I still use Vexplore Travel for all my travel needs. Nothing has changes except their services have expanded and we have become even closer.

Here are a few things that set them above other companies:
A wave from Nghia
Vexplore Travel 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,
Vexplore Travel are the only company that can use my tour services.

 

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.

 

 

V’Explore Travel is both a B2B (Biz to Biz) wholesaler and FIT tour provider (Free Independent Traveler)

Feel free to email me if you need any advice or clarification www.riptide.nhatrang@gmail.com

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63 thoughts on “Vexplore Travel, my choice in tour companies

  1. Owee,

    Thank you so much for responding to my earlier message through TripAdvisor. I have read all of your postings on your blog. It had helped me immensely to plan my trip.

    Would V’Explore be able to help me obtain visas into Vietnam if I go through them or do I have to do visa on arrival? If I have to do it myself, what is reputable site to get the application?

    Thank you!

      1. Hi Owee,

        My wife, 8 years old boy and I have been enjoying reading your blogs and feedback on TA.

        We are planning a trip to Vietnam this mid August to end September 2013 and would really like to get some valuable insight from you. We will be flying in from Vancover/Saltspring Island.Would you be able to email me directly so we can discuss destinations, time frames ETC

        Thanks very much

        Matt,Pia and Finn

  2. Hi Owee,
    Do V’Explore cater for private day tours? Saigon City/Cu Chi Tunnels.
    I have been quoted for 2 people.
    $70 USD Private Guide
    $95 USD Driver & Car
    This tour would take approx 8/9 hours.
    Kind regards,
    Tracey

    1. Yes they do however, it would be much less expensive to join a seat in coach tour available from any of the local tour offices in the tourist area

  3. Hi, thank u for all our suggestions. My husband and I with my 21yr old daughter are travelling to Vietnam. We land in Hanoi on 1 August and fly out of Ho Chi Minh on 22 Aug. we love the idea of going to non-touristy areas.
    We see you have a motor cycle trip that les from Nha Trang o Hoi An, can this be done the other wy around. We own our own Harley here in New Azealand so this will b a great experience.
    Thanks

  4. Hi Owee,

    Thank you for your prompt reply we have locked in the dates 17th April to 4th May. in relation to weather would you suggest we go south to north or visa-a-versa. Halong Bay looks very touristy is Bai Tu Long Bay a good alternative?

    regards Robyn

  5. Hi Owee,

    I am trying to plan a holiday to Vietnam for my extended family. We were thinking of going in late Septenber for 2 weeks but by the looks of the weather charts that is not a good idea. January or April seem ideal but I would appreciate your opinion.

    I am also thinking of an organised tour so will definitely try V’Explore. The age range of our group will be 20 to 60 years old so a range of activities to suit everyone is required. Do you have any suggestions?

    regards Robyn

    1. If possible, i suggest april. It is one of the best months to travel here in my opinion. You will find no better company to look after you and i stake my reputation on it. Sorry for short reply. I am currently guiding a tour in the highlands and answering from my phone.

  6. Hi Owee,

    My wife and I have been enjoying reading your blogs.

    We are planning a trip to Vietnam this January and would really like to get some valuable insight from you. Would you be able to email me directly so I can forward you my dates and destinations.

    Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

    Cheers
    Vinh

  7. At your recommendation here on this blog, my mom and sister and I booked an 11-day tour of South and Central Vietnam and Siem Reap with V’Explore. We just got back to the States and wanted to thank you for the excellent recommendation. The tour far surpassed our expectations. The quality of the food, car, accommodations, and English-speaking tour guides were unmatched all for a reasonable price. We will be recommending V’Explore to friends and family.

  8. 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.

  9. 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

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