First Time Using Private Guides
 

Have never hired private guides. What is it best approach? Should we tell the guide what we want to see and do or should we leave it to them to show us what they consider the things to see and do?

My thought was to tell them what interests us and let them go from there. Also, should they give us a detailed schedule of each days activities or should we just wing it?

I assume this is for your January trip to Viet Nam. I have not been to Viet Nam but have used private guides in Myanmar, India and Thailand. A good guide will sit down with you and plan an itinerary using as much input as you are willing to provide. You most likely will not be winging it as most guides have a standard itinerary they work from and will modify it to your needs. Whether you receive a detailed schedule of each days activities really depends on the guide. Hope this helps.

Absolutely tell your guide what you want. Also ask for their suggestions. But a good guide will tailor the trip to your interests/needs. If the guide is taking you somewhere you don't want to go (like shopping stops) give him/her clear feedback.

I'm not a fan of detailed itineraries, as I think they sometimes get in the way of experiencing a place. You need to have a plan, but you also need to be flexible (and let your guide know you want to be flexible) so you can experience something unexpected that occurs.

I read a complaint on the Lonely Planet from a solo traveler who complained that her driver took her to tourist restaurants when she wanted to go to local haunts. But when asked, it turned out that she had not told him this! Your guide is not a mind-reader, he/she will only know what you what if you tell them. Your guide wants you to be happy and enjoy your time with them.

Craig, thanks, you are correct about the trip to Vietnam, Siem Reap & Bangkok in Jan.

Thanks, Kathie. That was my thinking. I didn't know if I should get something in writing just to be sure of the plan.

i approach it this way.....i tell the guide a little about us: age, likes and dislikes, etc....

i tell them what we had in mind...

i ask them then for a rough outline of how they would put our time together....

i tell them we are totally flexible, within reason, and that we love most experiences, especially new ones or ones that are totally different, like tong's "secret place"....

we then come to a meeting of the minds or mindless...

as the day progresses we usually make mutual changes....they often hear you talk about something and suggest something along those lines, and you can either say yes or no....ratt is great doing this...

i look at it as a two way street, but i am paying the bill so i want to be happy and as said above they want you happy...

"we then come to a meeting of the minds or mindless..." LOL, Bob

I'm in trouble. What happens when three mindless people (me, my wife, the guide) try to have a meeting of the minds?

you end up with the most fabulous day that you ever had!!!

its those who think they are smart that get bored....think cambridge./...

There are 2 kinds of guides in SE Asia. The first one, they offer cheap trips but make commission from sourvenir shops, theme parks, restaurants ... etc. They may also make guests pay for highway tolls and parking fee. The second type are priced higher but it's all-in. You are not expected to spend a single dime during the entire trip.

I believe all guides want to do a good job ... it's their bread and butter. The problem is, it's the tour agent or companies that over-promise. When I hire guide, I usually have coffee with him/her before the trip starts in the morning and discuss about the itinerary. In Bali for instance, most guides will herd you into batik factories, spice plantation, local markets, temples and beaches. I like highlands, stone crafts and rural scenes for photography. When I make my interests clear, they never fail me.

Thanks for all the good comments.