r1955

I've been reading many trip reports on vietnam and have noticed that many people make reservations for different things through local travel agencies. I understand about tour guides and transfers. But is making reservations for hotels in this way better than on the hotel sites or booking sites (booking, agoda and so on). We've travelled quite a lot but never in the east and ib europe we always made reservations directly with hotels or booking sites as I imagine most people do. I'd be grateful if someone would explain why it's done differently here.

Kathie

It varies. Check the usual websites, then see what a local agent can do for you. Sometimes a local agent can save you a significant amount, sometimes not. But it is worth checking with an agent to see. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples - do all of the price quotes include tax and service (which adds a significant amount) and does it include breakfast?

jacketwatch

Kathie is correct. our stay at the Grand Millenium in Bangkok last fall cost about the same from my TA vs. a booking site but she was able to get daily breakfast for two which was a considerable savings. She also got us a great deal for a cruise by using a group rate discount.

yestravel

In VN, our TA was able to get the hotels for a bit less than we could using booking sites or booking directly with the hotel. When the TA got a higher rate, I informed her of what i could find and she matched the rate I could get. We used at TA in VN as it was a part of a larger trip and it seemed easier to have a TA book the VN portion. Booked the rest of the 9 week trip on our own. I think VN could easily also be done without the help of a TA.

vietnamtravelpro

It saves time when you book through hotel website, agoda or travel agencies...I just want to notice you two things:
- Agoda may offer you a better price, but there are some situations that although you book in advance with Agoda, you may not have your room. Agoda is not hotels website, so they cannot update every minute about the room availability. It is better if you book with agoda and then check with the hotel.
- There are many hotels in Vietnam, so you can go to hotel and book directly.