Sapa - Vietnam tourist angencies
 

Has anyone used Topas Travel before? I have seen the good reports about Tonkin Travel but also have quotes from Topas and would like to hear about experiences with this agency. Anyone?

They are tied in with the eco-lodge which is outside of Sapa. We used them to book a guide for a couple of day hikes from the lodge. The hikes were fine. We had a bit of communication problem with the guide about how much time remained on one of the hikes but that was the only glitch. When we were returning in our van from one of the villages that we hiked to, we ran into a roadblock created by a truck that got stuck in the mud. Topas had already arranged a 2nd vehicle for us to transfer to on the other side of the roadblock by the time we got there. I also left a hat in one of the vehicles which they were able to retrieve and return to me - pretty fine service, if you ask me...

We used them for a 7 day trip around the Dien Bien Phu loop via Sapa. Generally they were just OK apart form the vehicle they provided. We were given a 20 year old (at least) Landcruiser which was basically falling to bits. No lights, bald tyres, no working instruments etc... Bad enough normally but dangerous when travellin the high passes around Mount Fansipan in the fog and ice. We also had to ask the driver to slow down on these precipitous roads - he explained to us that he was a good driver and that he knew these roads really well even in zero visibility - that's ok then!!

When we asked to get off of the main loop road to visit some of the smaller hill villages, the guide refused saying it was against government regulations which we later found to be untrue.

On the plus side when we decided to alter our trip so we could stay a few days in the Mai Chau valley, they were very accommodating.

IndoChina Travel does the Sapa trip. I have not done this,but used them for other travel in Vietnam. The guide I used, Sonny, who lives in Hanoi is excellent.

I used Tonkin Travel for Sapa. I don't usually use TAs, so have little basis for comparison, but was happy enough with them. The guide was good.

Thanks all! I guess a bit of both sides.

There is an information center in Sapa where we hired a guide/driver for the day and we were very satisfied. We also joined the bus tour for the day to take us to the Bac Ha market.

We had a great time in Sapa a few years ago and used a local hotel owner (and former teacher) to book a fantastic local guide. We were not so enamored of our stay at the Topas Ecolodge. See my report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-report.cfm

Wow. Topas Ecolodge is such a traditional Vietnamese resort, situated deep in the spectacular Sapa valley, offer breathtaking views across the scenic valleys below.

Highly recommend you to stay in Topas Ecologde.