I'm wondering if any ozbargainers have booked day tours either in Vietnam and can give me a website, or if you've booked online and used the service. I'm looking for a website of a tour agency that will give me the same pricing online. Not vivatar level of pricing.
Tours in HCM, Hoi An and Hanoi
voteoften on 13/02/2017 - 00:21
Comments
Yes, normally I'd wait until I got there. But I'm going with my teenager and there's two things that impact this approach. First, teenagers are impatient and it'll be hot (April). I don't want to stuff around too much. Second, I've booked private tours through the hotels in Vietnam and although we were assured that the driver would provide a tour in English, we found they didn't speak a word.
There are some local students that have a website and they give free/cheap motorbike tours in hcm, and I want to do those, but I'm hoping to do my son and marble mountain and get a proper spiel this time. I've never been to Hanoi, so I'm hoping to get some stuff lined up.
good advice, im going to Hanoi in early Oct and want to book a day trip to Sapa but will probably wait til I get there. Will be staying in hostels
I did about 8 tours through Urban Adventures when I was in Vietnam. They were fantastic. English speaking locals. Guaranteed departures (Minimum of 1 person, maximum of 12.)
3 times my girlfriend and I had a private tour :)
In HCM definitely check out XO Tours - I've done a couple of tours with them and they're absolutely brilliant!
The Sinh Tourist is one of the longest running tour operators in Vietnam. They used to be called the Sing Cafe but everyone was stealing their name. They have offices all over the country and I could not recommend them enough. I'm sure you'd be able to prebook if you really wanted but as previously suggested I'd book it once you're there. I used them for a few tours and it was by far the easier tour operators went through whilst I was there.
Yep I agree - you can book online with them too
Last year, my family and I did a bicycle tour in Hoi An. Highly recommended.
http://www.vietnam-bicycle.com/
I can personally strongly recommend Halong Sapa Tours:
http://www.halongsapatours.com/It is run by a friendly husband and wife team who speak excellent English and are very responsive and attentive to detail.
I believe their personal approach and low overheads mean they give good value for overnight tours to Sapa and Ha Long Bay. They also helped us with VOA letters and some train tickets.A lot of package tours include a saps trek. Does anyone know how arduous it is? Also, some include downtime hanging around in a village of some sort. Does anyone know if this is just going to be an uncomfortable wait while locals try to get you to buy stuff you don't want.
Thanks everyone. I'll look at these options.
For Hoi An, check out Stop and Go (based in Hue but it's not far). I used them when I was over there for a day trip and they were excellent. Cost about $80 from memory for a driver and english speaking guide.
From my own experience, you are better off just booking day trips when you get there. There are booking agents on every corner and most hotels do the same. Personally I booked several tours from HCM and Hanoi, and both were just as cheap from the hotel as the agents (some were more expensive but included entrance fees/lunch, some were cheaper and you paid at the gates - no real difference in total price)
The difference between booking now and there, is you never know what the weather's like. I had to rebook my Ha Long Bay trip twice due to storms, but because I booked through the hotel they sorted it out and were eager to please (presumably they got a cut but since it didn't come out of my end I'm fine with it).
The other thing, is that most of the smaller tour lines probably wouldn't have an online presence, so you may be limiting your choices.
Hope this helps