looking for Vietnam based TA to help plan trip
Nov 22nd, 2015, 11:25 AM
#1
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looking for Vietnam based TA to help plan trip
I am hoping to make a second visit to Vietnam during the time frame of Dec. 2016 to Feb. 2017. The trip will be 14 days or so. The last visit was October 2004. We used a company called GrIswalds Vietnamese Vacations to put together a private tour. That tour had our guide travel with us for 10 of the 14 days. We stared in Hanoi, went to Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and ended HCM.
For this visit, we want to see some different places. Rather than have a guide travel with us I can hire a local guide in each of the cities/areas we plan to visit. I definitely want to see Phong Na caves.
Can anyone recommend a local based travel agency who can help with an itinerary, hotels, plane tickets, etc. for a private tour?
For this visit, we want to see some different places. Rather than have a guide travel with us I can hire a local guide in each of the cities/areas we plan to visit. I definitely want to see Phong Na caves.
Can anyone recommend a local based travel agency who can help with an itinerary, hotels, plane tickets, etc. for a private tour?
Nov 22nd, 2015, 05:02 PM
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The most frequently recommended VN agent here is Tonkin Travel.
There is no need to book a guide with you all of the time. Tell the agency exactly what you want to book. They are in your employ and want you to be happy. You certainly can pick up a guide at various attractions as you wish. Often an agency will give you a first quote that includes everything you can think of and a few things you can't. Just tell them what you want/don't want.
There is no need to book a guide with you all of the time. Tell the agency exactly what you want to book. They are in your employ and want you to be happy. You certainly can pick up a guide at various attractions as you wish. Often an agency will give you a first quote that includes everything you can think of and a few things you can't. Just tell them what you want/don't want.
Nov 22nd, 2015, 08:54 PM
#6
You didn't <i>need</i> one then. I first visited Vietnam in 2002, solo, independently, no guide, no TA.
But I agree with the recommendation for Tonkin. I used them on my third visit for a trip to Sapa.
But I agree with the recommendation for Tonkin. I used them on my third visit for a trip to Sapa.
Nov 22nd, 2015, 09:56 PM
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If can you should plan an itinerary by your own, search for the cost references so you may estimate your budget.
Sometimes a free travel plan - without involved to any TA will give you some profound experiences.
Sometimes a free travel plan - without involved to any TA will give you some profound experiences.
Nov 23rd, 2015, 05:51 PM
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Flyingboxx:thats what I did when I planned a trip to Borneo 2 years ago. I found an itinerary online from a travel agency,booked all my own hotels, bought 4 Malaysian Air ticket segments online, and saved 50% over buying the trip through the TA. I'm sure I can make hotel reservations myself, and hire a local guide once I get to different locales. But I'm not sure if a local TA can do better with domestic air tickets than I can myself. I have not looked into tickets within Vietnam yet.10 years ago Viernamese could buy tickets for 75% less than foreigners.
Nov 23rd, 2015, 11:22 PM
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We spent around 3-4 months in Vietnam this year and used an agency only once, to book a trekking trip through the villages and national parks between Mai Chau and Ninh Binh - which we couldn't really have done alone.
For getting around the country we used bus and train booked ourselves or sometimes with the help of our guesthouse/really easy and efficient. For flying, we uses air Asia almost exclusively and found them to be by far the cheapest, very punctual and, for a budget airline, a pleasant flying experience. We did check out a few TA for comparison but found them more expensive.. This may not be the case for airlines like Vienam air and Vietjet as we didn't use them but I suspect a similar experience.
I think the dual pricing you mention no longer happens but you may well get an agent who will discount their commission to get a deal. Personally, I prefer the security of dealing direct with the airline online. Has the added benefit of making check in online easier too in some cases.
If you know where you are likely to fly to, check out the websites and sign up for notification of deals. We got some amazingly cheap deals that way with Air Asia.
As far as agencies, are concerned, we checked out a number for our trek and had serious conversations with two. Tonkin and Ethnic Travel and chose the latter. Prices were little different, but Ethnic seemed to listen more to what WE wanted and even adjusted it as we travelled.
It really is easy to DIY in Vietnam and, imo, planning and booking it all yourself will get you more involved in the trip making for a more enjoyable experience. Assuming of course, that you have the time.
PS you could always spend the money yours save on splashing on a fantastic hotel or restaurant to round off your trip!
For getting around the country we used bus and train booked ourselves or sometimes with the help of our guesthouse/really easy and efficient. For flying, we uses air Asia almost exclusively and found them to be by far the cheapest, very punctual and, for a budget airline, a pleasant flying experience. We did check out a few TA for comparison but found them more expensive.. This may not be the case for airlines like Vienam air and Vietjet as we didn't use them but I suspect a similar experience.
I think the dual pricing you mention no longer happens but you may well get an agent who will discount their commission to get a deal. Personally, I prefer the security of dealing direct with the airline online. Has the added benefit of making check in online easier too in some cases.
If you know where you are likely to fly to, check out the websites and sign up for notification of deals. We got some amazingly cheap deals that way with Air Asia.
As far as agencies, are concerned, we checked out a number for our trek and had serious conversations with two. Tonkin and Ethnic Travel and chose the latter. Prices were little different, but Ethnic seemed to listen more to what WE wanted and even adjusted it as we travelled.
It really is easy to DIY in Vietnam and, imo, planning and booking it all yourself will get you more involved in the trip making for a more enjoyable experience. Assuming of course, that you have the time.
PS you could always spend the money yours save on splashing on a fantastic hotel or restaurant to round off your trip!
Nov 24th, 2015, 12:40 PM
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crellston: I don't see where Air Asia has flights within Vietnam. I see flights to and from Hanoi and other countries but I won't need those flights. We will arrive on award tix, probably on JL flights from NRT. I don't want to travel by bus or train between cities in VN as we will have only 2 weeks. I don't mind buying a few short haul domestic tickets.
Last visit we flew Hanoi to Hue, I think. Then Danang to HCM.
We arrived to Vietnam into Hanoi and left from Saigon. The TA bought the 2 domestic tickets from us and I saw the price on them, $25 at the time.
What are the airlines that fly within Vietnam?
Last visit we flew Hanoi to Hue, I think. Then Danang to HCM.
We arrived to Vietnam into Hanoi and left from Saigon. The TA bought the 2 domestic tickets from us and I saw the price on them, $25 at the time.
What are the airlines that fly within Vietnam?
Nov 24th, 2015, 11:46 PM
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Hi susiesan, your are, of course, correct, Air Asia only operate in and out of Vietnam, not within the country.
The main carriers within the country are Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Jetstar Pacific. We have flown with Jetstar a couple of times and found their fares to be comparable with AA and their service almost as good. Vietnam Airlines are the most expensive. Vietjet are probably on a par with Jetstar on price but have a reputation for unreliability ( although I have no personal experience.
On our recent travels I signed up for the Jetstar newsletter and they did seem to have regular sales (it seemed like every Friday ).
$25 does seem very cheap for internal flights within Vietnam. Most of our flights around SEA were in the $20-60 range.
If cost is the major concern, then do consider the train. Even in a soft sleeper, the cost is probably going to be less than the airfare and, as the longer trips are overnight, you save on one nights accommodation.
Most guesthouse and hotels will book tickets for you or, I believe it is now possible online. Info on fares, routes, timetables etc. @ http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm
The main carriers within the country are Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Jetstar Pacific. We have flown with Jetstar a couple of times and found their fares to be comparable with AA and their service almost as good. Vietnam Airlines are the most expensive. Vietjet are probably on a par with Jetstar on price but have a reputation for unreliability ( although I have no personal experience.
On our recent travels I signed up for the Jetstar newsletter and they did seem to have regular sales (it seemed like every Friday ).
$25 does seem very cheap for internal flights within Vietnam. Most of our flights around SEA were in the $20-60 range.
If cost is the major concern, then do consider the train. Even in a soft sleeper, the cost is probably going to be less than the airfare and, as the longer trips are overnight, you save on one nights accommodation.
Most guesthouse and hotels will book tickets for you or, I believe it is now possible online. Info on fares, routes, timetables etc. @ http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm
