Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Asia
Reload this Page >

Help! ...guides needed Hanoi, DaNang, and Ho Chi Ming City

Help! ...guides needed Hanoi, DaNang, and Ho Chi Ming City

Old Jan 1st, 2010, 07:01 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help! ...guides needed Hanoi, DaNang, and Ho Chi Ming City

My husband and I will be in Vietnam in March 2010, on a Southeast
Asia cruise with 3 stops in Vietnam. We'd like some
recommendations for an English speaking guide/driver.
Also recommendations about how to spend each day
would be much appreciated.
SandraJoy is offline  
Old Jan 1st, 2010, 08:16 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,609
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
You don't need a guide for any of those cities. If you click on destinations at the top of the page you should get a list of the main sights. Aside from the marvelous Chan museum there aren't really any sights in Danang - I enjoyed it for the experience of being in a less-touristy Vietnamese city. For most people it's just a stop on the way to Hoi An.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Jan 1st, 2010, 09:37 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks again..thursdaysd..I'll check out also what the ship recommends for the time we spend there...Maybe just a taxi will do to get us from the port to where we might want to go.What do you think about that...are they available? Do they speak English? Can I use US$? I usually try to avoid the cruise ship's tours. They're expensive and are generally on buses with 50+ people.
SandraJoy is offline  
Old Jan 1st, 2010, 10:57 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Try Hanoikids in Hanoi They are a bunch of students who will tailor a tour to suit and its free, they want to show off their city and at the same time practise their English!!! (its a very professional outfit - we took a gift from home and i did actually tip at the end)
Smeagol is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 04:48 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,609
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Taxis meet the trains in Danang to take people to Hoi An, so I would expect them to meet the ships as well. I don't remember much English, but a taxi driver should recognize place names. I used local currency exclusively in Vietnam. I suppose a taxi driver meeting cruise ships might take dollars, but don't expect cafes, shops etc. to do so. Again, a post on cruisecritic.com is more likely to turn up people who have visited by cruise ship, posters here tend to be independent travelers.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 08:04 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My sister and I were only in Ho Chi Minh city for two days a few years ago transiting to and from Italy but we had three tours with ANN TOURS dealing with Tony. (Email- [email protected]) and enjoyed them very much. My sister did the Mekong Delta Tour and was the only one on the tour and was treated royally. I did two city tours and suggested a girl I met on the plane join me as she was only going to hang around the hotel and we got an excellent deal for the two of us.Their web site is http://www.anntours.com/aboutus.aspx
I believe they are a very well respected tour group and we certainly were impressed. Kerry.
KERRYAJS1 is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 08:17 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Try the [email protected] for Hoi An & Hue and the http://www.saigonhotpot.com for tours in Saigon. Both of these groups are college students offering free guide services so they can practice their English skills.
dgunbug is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 08:53 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We have used Focus Vietnam in all of those cities. While you don't have to have a guide to get around and see the major sights, we really enjoyed the expertise that the guides provided. They were personable and professional and we were able to see more sights as a result of their handling of the logistics. focusvietnam.com contact Tony
carole6860 is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2010, 09:36 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do note that tour companies do not employ particular guides, but will set you up with a free-lance guide who may be wonderful - or not. As Thursdays says, you don't need a guide for any of these places. Just do your homework. Also, exchange some money into the local currency each place you go.
Kathie is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rhkkmk
Asia
59
Jan 9th, 2015 03:20 PM
Jessicate
Asia
4
Jan 18th, 2013 03:04 PM
andie
Asia
11
Dec 7th, 2012 12:38 PM
bocette
Asia
7
Oct 2nd, 2012 07:09 PM
ragout
Asia
4
Feb 16th, 2011 09:17 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -