“Fantastic Tour on Short Notice”
Our cruise made a last-minute change from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City with only a few days' notice. Since none of the cruise line's tours really stood out, I decided to take a city transfer and find a guide on my own—and I’m so glad I did! Instead of a large group tour with 40 strangers moving at someone else’s pace, we had a completely personalized experience, thanks to Chau. Chau was absolutely fantastic. He led us through Ho Chi Minh City’s most fascinating spots, all at our own pace, which was a huge plus since, as an older couple, we sometimes need to take things a bit slower. That said, with Chau’s love for hiking and biking, I have no doubt he could keep up with even the most active travelers! His English is excellent, and there were no language barriers at all—everything was clearly communicated, making the experience even more enjoyable. We also got to experience the local scene, stopping at a cozy coffee shop and having a delicious lunch at an authentic pho restaurant. Despite our limited time in Saigon, Chau made sure we saw and experienced as much as possible. This was truly a memorable day, and I couldn’t recommend Chau’s tour highly enough for anyone looking for a unique, engaging, and flexible way to explore Ho Chi Minh City!
Chau L.
(4 reviews)Dear Jamies, Greetings from Local Guide Chau. Many thanks for your feedback. I have tried my best to you you the Authentic Saigon city during your limited time. All the best. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Local Guide Chau
“Lee is the perfect guide”
Lee was the perfect guide and was very accommodating with our requests from commencement time to where we did and did not want to go. Lee provided great insights on the sites and attractions we went to see as well as relevant historical information. Lee’s happy personality and humour made the tour even more enjoyable.
Lee M.
(6 reviews)Dear Linc Family, Thank you very much for your great review! It was a delight to read your review. Have a nice trip in Vietnam! Best wishes! Lee
Koichiro Y.
Hanoi by night tour with your local guide
Customized
“Beautiful Hanoi Evening”
We could have a tremendous volume of information on Hanoi and Vietnam during the limited hours from Rose-san. Also, the restaurant and dishes she selected for us were fantastic much much more than we expected. Thank her for the beautiful Hanoi evening with her.
Nhung N.
(14 reviews)Dear Koichiro, I could not express enough my thankfullness to you for choosing me as your guide in Hanoi. It was my great honor to welcome you and friends for a fabulous dinner. I wish I could have more time with you and team. I sincerely wish to have a chance to meet you again for another fabulous experience. With my warmest regards from Hanoi, Rose Nhung
Elevate your Vietnam journey with a private tour guide! Dive deep into culture, skip the crowds, and unleash your inner explorer with a local leading the way.
Picture yourself wandering through the bustling streets of Hanoi, the intoxicating aroma of pho wafting through the air as you’re led through the maze of markets and ancient temples. With a private tour guide by your side, every corner of Vietnam's capital becomes a gateway to centuries of history and culture. No longer confused by the sights and sounds, Vietnam becomes a familiar place with loving memories to be made.
Explore the architectural wonders of the Temple of Literature, where scholars once sought enlightenment, before diving into the chaotic charm of the Old Quarter, where your tour guide helps you navigate narrow alleys to reveal hidden gems of local life. It’s time to truly see the land of the Blue Dragons.
Generally, 7–10 days in Vietnam is enough to get a gasp of the country’s greatest highlights, and see glimpses of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang (if you want to squeeze it in). Honestly, though, you could spend two weeks in Vietnam and never run out of sights and sounds.
- Hello: Xin chào (seen chow)
- Thank you: Cảm ơn (gauhm uhn)
- Excuse me: Xin lỗi (seen luh-ee)
- I want to buy: Tôi muốn mua (toy muh-own moo-ah)
- How much does it cost?: Bao nhiêu tiền? (baow nyew tien)
- Can I have one please?: Cho tôi xin một cái (chow toy seen mot cái)
- I am vegetarian: Ăn chay (an chay)
- One, two, three: Một, hai, ba (một, hai, ba)
- I don't understand: Tôi không hiểu (toy khom hyu)
- Good night: Chúc ngủ ngon (chewk ngoo ngawn)
Generally speaking, the best time to visit Vietnam is between November and April, as this is when it’s the most comfortable in terms of temperature, as well as the driest period, in terms of rainfall. However, Vietnam’s weather varies by region.
Yes! Even if you’re not sure where to start your journey, head to our Vietnam local guides page and click on the profiles that stick out to you. You can see which tours match your travel schedule (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang and so on), and book instantly, or message a guide to create your own tour with their suggestions for you and your travel group. Looking to relax, have a thrilling adventure, or learn about history? Let the guide know, and they’ll give some amazing suggestions.
While this depends on your preferences, touring Vietnam’s major cities has been made less difficult with the spread of English in tourist areas (Vietnam ranks number 58 out of 113 non-native English countries). But guides are so much more than language translators. They provide safety, historical, cultural and social context, and they save a lot of time that could be spent zipping from one venue to the next, or getting lost.
This is a tough one! But each city offers something different, so here’s a quick comparison.
Yes! Based on data from Travel Ladies, Vietnam is ranked the 8th safest travel country for solo women travelers. With that said, it’s best to keep the following tips in mind.
Depending on which city you’re headed to, here are some key travel points and adventures you should consider for your first trip to Vietnam;
Ho Chi Minh’s (Saigon) Highlights
Vietnam
Vietnam
Start By Messaging Your Guide
Just You and Your Local Tour Guide
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