December 22, 2017 by Mr Linh's Adventures Team
A country with stunning landscapes, vibrant communities and incredible culture, Vietnam makes it to the top of many travellers’ wish lists for good reasons. But how can you get to know the heart of the country when you visit? Here are our tips on finding a Vietnam travel agent to help you get the most out of your trip.
Finding the right Vietnam travel agent for your trip can make or break the experience and memories you come away with. How can you find a company that will take you off-the-beaten-track, and not just along the well-trodden backpacker routes? And how can you avoid touts and scammers? Here are our top tips to help you get the most out of your Vietnam experience.
1. Do your research
Before booking a Vietnam travel agent, see what other people have said about them. A good quality travel agency will have a strong digital footprint and lots of great reviews. Start off on the travel agency’s website, then read reviews on TripAdvisor and look at the company’s social media channels. Look at how far back the comments and reviews date back – beware of companies with only a couple of recent reviews. A good Vietnam travel agent will have a lot of reviews and comments from their happy customers.
2. Vietnam travel agency credentials
As well as looking at what customers say about your chosen Vietnam travel agent, look at what other credentials the company has. For example, do they hold tourism qualifications and credentials? Look into anything else that sets a particular travel agency apart from others. For example, choosing a family-run travel agency means you’re directly supporting Vietnam’s people and economy, and is a much more ethical way to travel.
3. Details of the Vietnam travel experiences
Once you’re satisfied with the legitimacy of the Vietnam travel agent you’re interested in booking with, have a detailed look at the travel experiences they are offering. There are lots of companies that offer standard trips, such as a route between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. While this is great, look for opportunities for getting off-the-beaten-track in Vietnam too. Adding some more authentic travel experiences into your trip – such as homestays, jungle adventures and visiting more remote villages – will make a great Vietnam trip exceptional.
4. Book direct
If you’ve found a travel agency in Vietnam that feels like the perfect fit for you, book directly with that company. This avoids problems with touts and scammers – who may falsely advertise a tour with a legitimate company, but actually send you on a trip with a less credible tour operator. Booking directly with your chosen travel agency also cuts out middlemen, ensuring 100% of your money goes to that local company and the local people behind it.
We believe in our country and want all visitors to Vietnam to have the best time possible. At Mr Linh’s Adventures, we’re a local and
family-run company specialising in off-the-beaten-track and jungle adventures. Many of our Vietnam travel experiences are not available elsewhere. We have hundreds of great reviews on
TripAdvisor both for our tours and
homestay experiences, while our many social media followers recommend us to their friends. We regularly visit
travel fairs around the world, working closely with
Vietnam Tourism to promote our country.