Welcome to Travel Sense Asia™!
Travel Sense Asia™ (TSA) is a professional company which is specialized in offering attractive holiday packages to those who want to explore Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. We strive for customer satisfaction by adding personal touch to every holiday package we design. We know that the right blend of reliability, creativity and flexible attitude is the mantra to proffer quality services to all our customers. We provide unmatched attention to each customer’s needs so that we can give you the best.
Our Mission statement
1.To bring the most convenience, the most satisfaction with the best price for travellers.
2. To create and remain the best working environment for staffs who have passion, enthusiastic and ambition in developing themselves.
3. To be responsible for sustainable tourism development .
4. To be responsible for sustainable tourism development .
Your Experience
Working with Travel Sense Asia is distinct from many other companies in the industry. We offer a smaller atmosphere and pride ourselves in our honesty and commitment to your travel. Whether you are a specialty tour operator or a large services company exploring a niche market, we try our best to accommodate your specific needs by maintaining open, honest lines of communication, providing relevant cost structures and explaining the difficulties and challenges, in advance, for selected destinations. Most of all, you will experience what it means to have a flexible, dependable and insightful agent, on the ground and on top of your needs.
Our Expertise
Recognized as a “Vietnam Destination Expert” on worldwide travel forum – TRIPADVISOR “Certificate of Excellence” for service in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, “Travels’ Choice Award 2020” by TRIPADVISOR and voted in top 10 best tours in Hanoi since 2010, we are proud to offer you a full-range of travel services in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia with aim “Best Deals, Expert Advice”.
Philosophy
“Customers are our unique boss. No customers are no jobs, no company, no director, no staffs.”
Our team know clearly that customers play very important role in our development , they bring us jobs, opportunities and they can dismiss any one in company from director to staffs by simply way buying product from other companies. So we always put our customers to the center position of our purposes in any daily work.
Letter from Founder
Dear Clients,
After working in travel industry for 10 years and 5 years develop Travel Sense Asia to be one of leading tour operators in Indochina, I’d like to share my personal travel philosophy.
When travelling to a new destination away from home, travellers like having an authentic experience in different culture, meeting the local people , enjoy the beautiful natural sceneries …I know this because travel is my life.
When our team build your trip, they combine their love of their countries, people, culture with your interests and personalize services to make it be the unforgettable experience in our countries.
Each member of our team is clear of our mission when join Travel Sense Asia:
“Bring the most convenience , most satisfy with the best deals to clients”
We developed our company from a small passion team, so we deeply understand the important role of clients in developing process of our company as well as local tourism industry development. I and my passion team are trying to introduce our Indochina land’s beauty to people in the world through our personalize services.
Kien Trung (David), Founder & CEO, Travel Sense Asia
Company Profiles
Travel Sense Asia Co., Ltd – A Fully Licensed International Tour Operator
The Regional Travel Experts in Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia
(International Tour License No: 01-153/2010/TCDL-GPLHQT)
(Business License Number Cum Tax Code: 0104143940)
*******************
Travel Sense Asia (TSA) is proudly a fully Vietnamese licensed travel company working strictly under Vietnamese Business Law and Vietnamese Law on Tourism .
Our Company Profile:
Our company is legally registered as below;
› Company Full Name in English: Travel Sense Asia Company limited
› Company Shorten name: Travel Sense Asia co., Ltd
› Company Name in Vietnamese: Công Ty TNHH Du Lịch Ấn Tượng Châu Á
› Business Licence number cum Tax number is: 0104143940 issued by The Hanoi Department of Planning and Investment.
› Our International Tour Operator Licence Number: 01-153/2010/TCDL-GPLHQT (Deposit of VND250,000.000), by Vietnam National Administration of Tourism(VNAT).
› Our tour leaders, tour guides are university degreed and fully licensed as International Tour guides. They always wear their licences while working.
› Our drivers are well selected and licensed for driving tour buses, tourist cars.
› Our contracted hotels are legally registered and fully operates under Vietnamese law.
Bank Account Details:
› Bank Account Name: Travel Sense Asia Co., Ltd
– Account name: Travel Sense Asia Co., Ltd
– Bank Address: 198 Tran Quang Khai street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
– Bank Swift Code: BFTV VNVX
– Bank Tel: (84-4) 39343137
– Bank Fax: (84-4) 38251322
› Bank Name: Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam
› The International Banking Account Number (VND) :0011003198863
International Tour Operator License
►No: 01-153/2010/TCDL-GPLHQT
in Translation version
Our Business Registration Certificate No.0104143940
Why travel with us
Are ALL travel companies the same?
We do not think so. At Travel Sense Asia(TSA), we would like to show you a different way to travel, the way that you can actually feel and be with the place but not just looking around, not just be there, done that. Here are the reason why 90% our clients recommend us after their trip.
We are not Big Company and We don’t pretend to be
Most of the time you will speak to the same person from initial contact to follow up email at the end of your trip. He/she will take time to understand your needs and note down personal interest in ensuring that you get the most out of your experience.
Real Vietnam Experience
TSA is committed to giving our customers an authentic Vietnam experience not just something staged for tourist. We will take you to authentic local restaurants wherever possible, not to tourist traps that all serve the same boring food. Sometimes we even offer you a cup of coffee on pavement rather than a luxury café or luxury restaurants which are very different from your country.
After we have chosen the restaurants, attractions, hotels etc, we put them to the test by carefully monitoring our customer’s evaluations. This continual review process ensures that we act quickly if our high standards are not maintained by our suppliers.
We provide two meals each day, because most of our customers want the freedom to make their own dinner choices, whether it be Vietnamese or Western.
> Authentic Food & dining experiences
> Great Vietnam destinations based on our knowledge and customer feedback
> We try to use local guides that belong to the regions North, Central and South of Vietnam. This is not only save your money, increases employment opportunities for local people but also allows you to discover more of the local culture, people in different regions during your trip.
Freedom & Flexibility
“Best deals, Expert advice” is our motto and it is something that we are passionate about. We has been recognized as “Vietnam Destination Expert” on worldwide travel forum and we would like to share our experience to our clients by helping them build up their vacation in the way they like with our Experts’ advice.
> Small private groups – See Vietnam in the luxury in your own private vehicle with your own guide and driver. They are focused on your needs not the whims of the people that just happened to have booked the same tour. Do what you want, when you want.
> Tailor made and customized tours – We specialize in tailor-made and customized travel because these days many people prefer to travel independently and create their own unique itinerary. We can take your tour ideas and fill in the detail and help you to avoid the problems which only detailed local knowledge can avoid.
> 100% Vietnam owned & based – We are not some fly-by-night companies that want to make a quick profit and run. Our team of dedicated travel professional know Indochina, we know the hotels, we know the suppliers and we know the guides and drivers. Our local experience, knowledge and stability are your guarantee of quality.
Commitment to Customer Service through Team
> Sales, Product, Customer Service, IT teams & Experienced Guides working together
> Highest service level from enquiry until you arrive home
Base in Vietnam, we are able to provide 24/7 in-country support in the case of an emergency or for those unexpected events. A flight delay, cancellation or last minute change can happen at any time but at Travel Sense Asia any Travel advisor, manager, director is always ready on phone 24/7 which make sure that we are always beside you, even though you may be thousands of miles from home.
We are easy to reach through emails and all the internet support like Skype, Yahoo. We will normally get back to you within 24 hours and in fact usually, very much sooner..
If for some reason we can’t answer your queries immediately, we will still contact you to let you know how long you are likely to have to wait and we will keep you updated as the situation progresses.
You’ll have someone to complain to! Of course, we hope you’ll never feel the need but if for some reason there is a problem with your trip then we are easy to reach and will do our very best to help resolve the situation.
It takes teamwork and passion to design, present and deliver a great Vietnam vacation. Our young team of dedicated professional is proud of their country, and so they combine their many different skills to bring you travel products that they are proud of. Thousands of satisfied customers every year are our judges. Read our testimonials
Commitment to Quality
> Quality tours – we put ourselves in the shoes of our clients.
> Quality people – highly trained professionals in all departments
> Quality website – easy to navigate with great content
> Quality service – our future depends on past.
In our business, attention to detail is the key to quality. Every tour that we book is meticulously planned to try to ensure that it runs seamlessly. Our people personally inspect the attractions and hotels to ensure that they reach the standard that we and our clients expect while providing a true and authentic experience.
The Truth is there – For us is First and Foremost
Accommodation can be basic and you may need a sleeping bags on it, overnight journeys can be tiring, arriving in a strange country for the first time can be daunting prospect and local customs can be difficult to understand,, or the trek can be tired for your kids..etc…
All these aspects and more can be turned into positive experiences if you know what to expect and are prepared for it. We’ll always try to offer advice about the things you really need to know and we’ll also tell you if we think you’re making an unwise choice as to which trip is most suitable to your needs.
We commit of the following points:
> Relaxed & fair cancellation policy
> Real value for money
> Money back service guarantee
> No hidden costs
> Full disclosure of information including detailed flight information on the itinerary
> Fairness and equity to customers, staff and suppliers
100% Vietnamese owned Company
Who is better placed to provide excellent service and great value than a Vietnam travel agency located in Vietnam? Vietnam is our backyard so we know our country, the people, and the intricacies of doing business here.
Secured Payment Method Online and easy to get refund
OnePay is the representative of the MaterCard Internet Gateway Service (MiGS) in Vietnam. OnePAY – MiGS payment system meet PCI Data Security Standard of PCI Security Standards Council. OnePAY – MiGS payment system also joins Verified by Visa Program, MasterCard SecureCode Program and J/Secure Program.
For transactions by local card, OnePAY and local banks use 2 factors authentication solution. Your bank account is protected by registed password and a one time password sent by your bank.
All card details are processed by OnePAY in a secure environment. Your card information will be protected during the transmission by using Secure Sockets Layer software, which encrypts the information that you provide online.
Your money will be safe. We keep your information in high secret and we equip with modern secured online bank account system so in case you need to cancel/amend your booking in anyway, it’s easy for you to get a refund. We will do refund to your account just by few “clicks”.
For other methods of payment, please visit our
Terms and Conditions page for more information.
Responsible tourism development-Friendly Operator
> We employ more local people and use more local products and services than foreign tour operators. This benefits local economies and contributes to a better social environment in the areas our customers visit.
> We specialize in tailor-made and customized travels, most of which are arranged in small private groups. Keeping tour groups small reduces the impact of tourism on the environment, e.g. no noise pollution from loud hailers, and smaller vehicles mean less damage to roads.
> We educate our customers about the local wildlife, environment and cultures, which helps travelers keep in harmony with the local environment.
> Through continuous years we are proud to be one of very few “Official supporters” in Vietnam for UNWTO which organize WTM World responsible tourism day every year.
Are you ready to send us your enquiry now? Click here
Meet our team
Travel Sense Asia (TSA) is not a big company, and we do not pretend to be. We are the online travel service company for the Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia destination.
All of our travel advisors are experienced travel professionals who have passion for travel. They continually travel within Indochina to keep abreast of the latest trends and attractions, and thus can provide our customers with the latest information about traveling in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Evaluations done by our recent clients are highly regarded as we monitor the service level of our providers and staff. Another fact that we are nominated as “Vietnam Destination Expert” on worldwide travel forum “Trip Advisor”.
——————————————— Meet our Team ———————————————
Clyde – Travel Expert
Hi! My real name is Nguyen Hoang Long and as it is too “Long” so please kindly call me Clyde.
I was born and raised in Hanoi – the historical capital of S – Shape land Vietnam. When I was a kid, I cannot stay still at one place as I think I “was blessed” with travel interest from my mom. Therefore, I followed and graduated as Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management with the desire to travel all over the world. However, my dream has just complete one part as I only traveled around Vietnam’s famous destinations. Now I am working at Travel Sense Asia to help other tourists from all over the world that come to Vietnam. I believe that my travel experience can help me arrange a perfect and enjoyable trip for you – our beloved customers. Your satisfaction and happiness is my motivation and your smile is the joy which brighten up my day.
“Road are made to travel” as some say and I will create the best and amazing road for you to walk on here in Vietnam.
Pera - Travel Expert
Hello, my name is Pera Fu, travel consultant for Travel Sense Asia, a local travel agency in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. With great passion of travel and Italian language, I would like to bring you the beautiful experiences during Vietnam and Cambodia tour: daily life, different culture, friendly people. Especially, our Vietnam is a special country with wild nature, brilliant white beaches, exquisite dishes such as "Phở Bò" - beef soup with rice noodles, "Nem rán" - fried rolls, egg coffee. Welcome!!!
Gigi - Travel Expert
My name is GiGi, Travel Consultant of Travel Sense Asia. As I have a strong passion for traveling and communicating with customers to provide the tailor-made travel services in the Indochina country, I find it so lucky to continue pursuing my career here after the long pandemic suspension. Together with our strong and enthusiastic team, I believe we can create the most memorable and hassle-free holidays for you!
Kurt - Travel Expert
Hello everyone!
I am Truong Nguyen but everybody has called me Kurt since I worked in tourism.
I graduated in business administration subject, but the passion with traveling has turned my career into working in the tourism industry. I set my objective to become a tour advisor. Therefore, I do not only travel a lot but also put great effort
into collecting and updating tourism information to suit my clients the best. Moreover, working in Travel Sense Asia has provided me with a great environment to develop my knowledge and skill. I always hope that I can use my knowledge to assist my clients turn their travel plan into the reality.
It will be my pleasure to greet you in your trip to Vietnam and Indochina.
Justin - Travel Expert
I reckon myself as a globetrotter and the more I travel, the more I see that Vietnam is as beautiful as other countries. So i chose to work as a travel consultant to bring the S-shaped land to as many international friends as possible. With a passionate and enthusiastic team, we believe in organizing the best travel experiences
Erica - Travel Expert
Hi everyone! My name is Linh. “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” It is a quote of Saint Augustine that I really like. With a passion for travel, I decided to work in Travel Sense Asia team as a travel consultant to share my experiences with all of you and I am always ready to take you on a dream trip.
Lily - Travel Expert
Hi everyone! My name is Linh Nguyen. But you know what? Both “Linh” and “Nguyen” are the most common names in Vietnam. So let’s call me Lily. Food and travel are my ultimate favorite things. I chose Tourism as my major in Hanoi University not only due to my big love to travel but also because I want to work in service industry in order to make people feel happy. I used to spend more than 2 years working in Food & Beverage industry. That was a great time, and I learnt a lot about customer services. However, now I decide to work in Travel Sense Asia in order to explore another side of myself. As a travel consultant, my duty is to give expert advices to our lovely customers about their trips. Moreover, we share beautiful photos in the destinations, share differences in cultures to each other, which makes me feel like I am traveling with my customers in their trips instead of just being a planner.
Bringing happiness to customers is our mission and I’m always looking forward to being your travel mate in Indochina!
Leo Tran - Travel Expert
Xin chao, it’s Leo greeting to you from Travel Sense Asia. With the passion to be involved in the national tourism industry, i am lucky to be a travel consultant at Travel Sense Asia- a local tour operator based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Every day, i have a chance to help many wonderful guests coming from all over the world, especially after the serious Covid-19 pandemic. As a saying : "Our destination is not a land, but a new way of looking", my biggest priority is to advise you on your journey not just to travel but also explore a new viewpoints in different lifestyles, traditions and cultures within Indochina, Myanmar, and Thailand. Let me be your advisor and be my guest.
Mia - Travel Expert
“Travelling leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller.”
Have a nice day! Welcome to Vietnam and Indochina!
To those who know me, thank you and hope to work with you again. To those who don’t know me, I’m Mia, a young and passionate travel consultant from from Travel Sense Asia. It’s a great fortune that after a long pandemic, I can still work in tourism and do what I love. Together, we will create the best tour ever!
Emma -Tour Operator Manager
Hello everyone! I'm Emma from Travel Sense Asia in Viet Nam. My major is Tourism Managerment and with the love of travelling, I become Tour Operator for almost 5 years until now.
I have the important job of working closely with trusted suppliers of Travel Sense Asia to ensure that our customer’s experiences are second to none.
Nothing makes us happier than seeing our customers smile at the end of our services.
Thank you so much and see you in Viet Nam!
Nguyen Xuyen - Tour Operator
Hello everyone,
My name is Xuyen, tour operator at TSA. I'm a very simple and friendly person. I like to travel and hangout with my friends and experience authentic foods. "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer". Glad to meet all of you, please feel free to contact for comfortable reservation.
Our Social Media
We thank you for your interest in Travel Sense Asia (TSA). We wish building a good and long relationship with you. Our Social media will be our bridge connecting between us, please follow us on:
Travel Sense Asia on Facebook
Find Travel Sense Asia on Linkedin
Find Travel Sense Asia on twitter
Travel Sense Asia on Youtube
Travel Sense Asia on Tripadvisor
Other about us
>> About TSA
Our Awards
Travel Sense has been highly recommneded as an reputable Tour operator in Vietnam on one of world biggest travel community Travelfish.org
Travel Sense Asia is proud of being voted as “Vietnam Destination Expert” on the World’s biggest travel community – TRIPADVISOR . We work as a volunteer on this community to provide traveller the most update information about our country and answer all the question regards to our destination.
Recently Travel Sense Asia has received “Travels’ Choice Award 2020” by TRIPADVISOR (www.tripadvisor.com ) for our excellent service provide to our clients in whole year. This certificate is an annual award for those business that have won a good reputation from travellers around the world with high rating at least 4.5 points.
Certificate of Excellence for the year 2011 – 2019
In 2013, Travel Sense Asia has been also awarded the “International Star in Leadership in Quality (ISLQ) Awards” in the Gold Category for 2013 by Business Initiative Direction Cooperation –B.I.D Corp the organization with 27 years serves to promote local , national and international leaders in recognition of their growth, innovation, technological development and leadership in quality and excellence.
Since joinning TRIPADVISOR’s community , Travel Sense Asia has received plenty of feedback from travellers who travelled with Travel Sense Asia in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Their feedback on Tripadvisor’s community has contributed great reputable for Travel Sense Asia. Day by day there are more and more people choose Travel Sense Asia as your Travel Advisor in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In 2011 we also awards “Certificate of Excellence” for the year 2011 from Tripadvisor’s community.
Money back guarantee
We thank you for your strong interest in travelling with us. At Travel Sense Asia, we are confident and proud of our products & services as an Destination Expert and always working hard for “Best Deals, Expert Advice”, we will however refund your money if;
– The quality of the trip is not as what we said to deliver,
– The experience is not as what our travel consultants promised it to be.
(The refund amount only do on the part of service clients don’t use or use but not satisfy as mentioned above)
We guarantee that you will have a great trip with not only quality, but with assured fun. if you are still not satisfied with our refund, please contact our the government body called VNAT (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) for a claim.
We have a bond of 15,000 USD in the bank (controlled by VNAT), this is the bond account for financial security in respect to customers’ advanced payments.
Travel Membership Association
Travel Sense Asia is proud to be member of the following associations. Joining those professional associations help us update the news and information, broaden the partnerships to serve our clients better.
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) / License no: 01-153/2010/TCDL-GPLHQT
Vietnam Travel Association (VITA)
Vietnam Society of Travel Agents
Local business – global network
Responsible Travel Club of Vietnam
Responsible tourism
Moreover, Travel Sense Asia is an active member who contributes helpful information and travel advices in communities and highly recommended by travel communities:
Work with us
For those who are looking for a long-life career in travel & tourism industry. This maybe a special opportunity for you. Let’s see how we work at Travel Sense Asia(TSA) and if you are fit with us.
One of our missions statement: “To create and remain the best working environment for staffs who have passion, enthusiastic and ambition in developing themselves.”
To be nominated as “Travel Destination Expert” in Vietnam in worldwide travel forums and awarded “Certificate of Excillent” by Tripadvisor. TSA is a tailor-made expert in Vietnam and Indochina travel, each day of working at TSA is challenging yet exciting. Step in TSA’s office, you will feel a warm atmosphere where all the colleagues work together sharing a common view of making each of our friends – the travellers- having best time in Vietnam and Indochina. Everyday, we work together to reach our mission statement “To bring the most convenience, the most satisfaction with the best price for travellers”.
For all of us at TSA, work is a happiness, for a long-life career which is harmony with our private life. We work to devote our talents help to make international friends know about Vietnam and help to make Vietnam and Indochina more prosperous. We are all proud to being Vietnamese.
Let’s join TSA team, you will have much more than friends at work like brothers and sisters in your family.
TSA is broadening and we are always welcoming talents sharing the above common view to join the team. If you are talent in any aspect of tour consultant, marketing, human resource, management; enthusiastic, devote to help foreigners enjoy Vietnam and Indochina and look for a long-life career.
What Do We Offer?
- Attractive salary (negociable) + Bonus
- We offer a competitive package.
- Benefits & Allowances
- Discounted travel benefits are granted to all staff.
- Annual Leave
- TSA staff members accrue 12 days annual leave
- TSA offers sick leave and maternity leave benefits.
- Health and Social Insurance
TSA provides a health insurance and social insurance according to Vietnamese labor codes to all local employees
Travel allowance for those who travel for purposes of training or business.
simply send us your CV via email sales@travelsense.asia
We will highly appreciate ones who know clearly who they are and what they want!
Responsible Tourism
At Travel Sense Asia, we believe in environmentally and culturally responsible tourism. We aim to ensure that our holidays create as little burden on the environment as possible whilst also ensuring both we and our clients are respectful of both the people and the cultures encountered.
We do this by adhering to our own responsible tourism guidelines and by providing comprehensive and accurate information to those that travel with us.
Responsible tourism is not just a buzz word; it’s an essential part of travelling today and reading some simple best-practise guidelines prior to departure can make a big difference whilst you are away.
We believe that the most sensible approach to being a responsible tourist is best achieved in three stages:
1.Before you leave
2.During your holiday
3.After your return
1. Before your holiday
Research
Take some time to research the destinations you are travelling to before you leave home. Find out about the specifics, these could be ecological, cultural or religious and ensure you understand how best to respect the local sensibilities. One of good places to see these information is on our sites.
Caring for the environment starts at home . Often it’s the little things that we forget:
– Turn the fridge down
– Cancel the newspapers
– Turn off the hot water
– Put lights on a timer rather than just leave on for security reasons
– Unplug all unnecessary electrical items
Packing
When it comes to clothing, plan carefully and think about what may be considered offensive to others. When visiting temples and historical buildings it is essential that you cover your shoulders, sometimes your entire arm, and your knees. In all but the most touristy beach resorts it is never suitable to walk the streets or eat a meal in a bikini or just a pair of shorts. When packing try to avoid carrying products that are enclosed in disposable packaging – can you leave this packaging at home?
2. During your Travel Sense Asia holiday
Try to remember, the western ‘way’ is not necessarily always the right way.
Photography
Always ask before taking a photo of anyone. Pointing at your camera with raised eyebrows will usually suffice. Respect your subject’s wishes if they decline your request – put yourself in their position and it doesn’t take long to work out why some may say no.
Having said that many people are more than happy for you to take a snap if only to be able to admire the picture you have just taken of them…the wonders of the digital camera! If you get the opportunity, make an extra print and you’ve got a friend for life. It is not good practise to offer any payment for taking someone’s photo.
People, Customs and Etiquette
Wow, a minefield…Asia is overflowing with customs and peculiar etiquettes. Please try and adhere to these where possible and practical. In truth it’s half the fun of travelling in Asia and not only will local people feel respected, they will respect you in return, allowing you to enjoy a fuller travel experience. You are in their back yard remember.
Don’t be surprised if local people, especially in more remote regions, treat you with a touch of curiosity, even suspicion at times. Keep an open mind and learn from each experience. One of the great benefits of a Travel Sense Asia holiday is that you won’t be turning up with 15 other camera-wielding tourists and ‘taking over’ the village for half a day…as a private ‘group’ you’ll do a much better job of blending in!
Please respect local customs. Read up before you go and you can always ask your guide, or a local, once you are there. In all but the most remote areas, people understand that you come from a different culture and any errors you make will most likely be met with laughter.
Nudity, scanty or inappropriate dress often causes offence. Modest dress will help minimize the risk of sexual harassment, and will help to ensure both you and future visitors are treated with respect.
Formalities such as greetings can be quite different to what you are used to. It’s never a problem to offer your hand but it may be found very amusing – again, take your lead from the locals.
Please be aware that public displays of affection are taboo in many communities.
Try not to lose your temper in public, it is considered very rude by many Asian people and should be avoided at all costs. Save the argument for the hotel room.
Likewise, never turn bartering into argument – it will not benefit you. Throughout Asia a tradesperson will never be seen to lose face by buckling to the demands of an red-faced tourist.
Abide by all the laws of the country and community you’re visiting….they apply to everyone.
Caring for the environment
At your hotel:
– Request that your towels are replaced less regularly. Most hotels have a system in place for this.
– Switch off the lights and air-conditioning when you leave your room.
– Unplug any devices that you are charging before you go to bed.
– Try exploring the streets instead of a sweating it out on a running machine.
On the streets:
– Take care to not litter; most developing countries do not have a refuse collection system.
– Avoid buying items in disposable packaging. Do you really need a carrier bag for that t-shirt?
– Show people that you are concerned. In the west we are often more informed on these matters than in Asia.
Language
Try and learn a little, even just a basic greeting and thank you. You’ll find that people respond very well to this; the locals will appreciate the effort you are making and your attempts are often a great ice-breaker.
Begging
In most instances, we strongly recommend you do not give money or other ‘gifts’ to beggars, no matter how hard it is to resist. Children miss out on a basic education because they are forced to beg by their parents. In the most extreme cases, they may even be deliberately maimed to increase their earning potential. Special paying attention to this note this when you travel in Vietnam.
Your guide can point you in the direction of schools where you can make a more meaningful donation of pens or other equipment to. These donations actually reach the intended benefactors.
Monks receiving alms is not considered begging as the monasteries are supported by the local communities. Ask your guide or a local how to go about giving alms if you wish to.
Sex Tourism
An unfortunate by-product of travel in some developing nations is sex tourism. Travel Sense Asia wishes to advise all its guests to give anything of this kind a very wide berth. Enough said.
Bartering
When bartering don’t try and squeeze every last penny out of the deal. You are expected to raise your initial offer at least once and in most cases several times. Make a game out of it and you’ll come to enjoy the experience. Give yourself a reality check every now and again and you’ll realise that you are probably sticking over $0.50…very little to you and I but a vital profit margin for the seller.
Religious Sites
Visitors to religious and historic sites should pay particular attention to the following:
– Be sure to dress appropriately and follow local guidelines
– Be mindful of your manners and respect local etiquette
– Never remove anything from religious or historical sites: this constitutes theft, not a souvenir.
Water consumption
You will find that the vast majority of drinking water in Asia is supplied in plastic bottles and it is important that you dispose of these responsibly. Asia is straining under the levels of waste that it generates but there are ample opportunities to recycle both cans and plastic water bottles.
Whenever possible, re-use water bottles by refilling from a safe supply such as from your hotel (if drinking water is provided). Alternatively consider purchasing a big multi-litre bottle of purified water and decant into smaller, re-usable bottles each day.
Wilderness and Wildlife
We appreciate that making absolutely no negative impact on the environment when travelling to Asia is simply not possible, however, we strive to minimise it. We rely on you and ask that you use common sense and follow local and international wilderness guidelines.
If you carry it in, carry it out – please don’t dispose of litter along the way. This includes cigarette butts and used matches, as well as paper, plastic, clothing and food scraps. Fruit leftovers may be biodegradable but they are unsightly and can take a while to decompose. Carry a plastic bag to collect your litter during the day and take it away with you. And if you’re happy to set a good example; pick up litter left by other, less considerate individuals.
Don’t feed wild animals – food scraps should not be considered ‘biodegradable’.
Be aware that rabies and other diseases are prevalent in many countries. Wild animals should never be touched, and we also strongly advise you to refrain from touching domestic animals such as cats and dogs.
When trekking and mountain biking you should stick to marked paths at all times. This is for your own safety and also helps to prevent unnecessary erosion.
Try to buy any basic products from the local communities you visit rather than carry them in. This helps to support the local economy in a small way.
The protection of water resources is vital. Please do everything possible to avoid polluting vital water sources when trekking and using home-stays. Ask your guide and locals to show you which water to wash and bath in.
Only use biodegradable soaps and shampoos that do not contain phosphates. Please avoid using soap and shampoo directly in any fresh water sources such as waterfalls or lakes.
If bathing or swimming, consider local sensibilities, both in terms of what you wear and the fact you are in ‘their’ water. Bathe downstream from water collection points and villages, and if you’re using shampoos and soaps, lather up and rinse well away from the water’s edge.
3. Upon your return
It’s all down to sharing your knowledge with others at this stage. Any information, hints and tips that you can pass on ensures that those following in your footsteps will be better educated and more responsible.
You may also want to make donations to groups and charities that work in the region you have visited. Above are the links to several organisations that we believe are truly making a difference to peoples lives and animal welfare, and helping to sustain communities. Your donations and help are always very much appreciated.
Testimonials
Travel Sense Asia has been served thousands group from countries around the world so far. We are proud to be thier tour operator in South East Asia. Following are some of thier comments sent to our company. To know more what clients are talking about us, please check on Tripadvisor for detail or feedback print version by click here or video testimonials click here.
Olivia () Visited Nov 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
As a traveller, personally, I always judge travel agency not on their skills of organising a tour, this is the base of their job but more on how do they solve a problem when it comes.
And here we go, travel sense Asia filled up all my criteria.!!
In a tour, even it is well prepared you can always face an issue; I travelled with my parents who are quite old and therefore sometimes they have special needs, we face a problem with a homestay, 10 min later we were in a comfortable hotel, spending a great night….Read more
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HennievG (USA) Visited Nov 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
I do not often write public reviews, but Travel Sense Asia – and specifically Henry – delivered a service of such outstanding quality – that they deserve to be recommended, far more than this review can ever say. Henry went out of his way to keep in touch with us during the trip (not many travel companies do that) – as well as afterwards…Read more
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MuditaAshteadUK (UK) Visited Nov 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
20 out of 5 will also be less for the service we got from our Travel sense rep ( Chloe) for our 15 Day romantic holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia .
From the initial contact to the last day spanning over 39 days we were totally supported in finalising the itinerary and then smooth running of it…Read more
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Gotohellagain (France) Visited Nov 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
Nous sommes tombés sur “Travel Sense Asia” un peu par hasard et n’avons qu’à ns en féliciter. L’agence a organisé très efficacement un circuit qui nous a permis de voir un maximum des richesses touristiques du nord et du centre Viet Nam (Baie d’Along terrestre et maritime, Sa Pa (sympathique (et luxueux) voyage en train de nuit depuis Ha Noi), Hué, Hoi An et, bien sûr, Hanoi. Le programme initial a été amendé conformément à nos souhaits et nous avons constaté que le directeur de l’agence s’assurait systématiquement que tt se passait bien…Read more
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Alphabeta888 (Singapore) Visited Oct 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
We have just returned from our lovely Hanoi/Sapa trip. This great experience was made possible by Jenny Lan Anh. She added her valuable inputs and meticulously tailored our itinerary to suit our needs. I am most impressed by her almost instant response, both during the planning and execution phases. Her support and updates during the trip provided us with comfort, and we uanimously agreed that Jenny’s service was way above industry norm, and this was the most reliable tour agent thus far.
Besides the sumptous meals, we had great guides, both at Ninh Binh and Sapa. Not to be missed are the visit to Fansipan and the trekking at Cat Cat Village…Read more
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Roam463986 () Visited Sept 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
This was one of the best holiday trips organised for my company. Danang was truly beautiful and had so much culture, architecture, history and mouth-watering cuisine to offer. Beyond the beauty of the country, it was the outstanding service offered by Travel Sense Asia that made this trip go smoothly without hiccups.
Right from the beginning and throughout the months of planning, Ryan (the travel consultant that served us) was patient, helpful and accommodating. Even though he wasn’t in Danang to personally greet us, he checked in every step of the trip to ensure that things were going according to plan and that we were having a good time…Read more
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Laura V (Germany) Visited Sept 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
Auf unserer 15tägigen Reise durch Vietnam hat uns Ryan Mac von Travelsense Asia bestens unterstützt. Die Ausflüge, die wir mit dieser Agentur gebucht haben waren unsere Highlights auf unserer Asienreise, insbesondere der Tagesausflug ins Mekong Delta und Halong Bay….Read more
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Arbelbei (Israel) Visited July 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
ממליצים בחום על חברת טרוול סנס אסיה, חברה שרותית ברמות גבוהות, קשובים עוזרים בתכנון הטיול, במהלך השהות ועד הפרדה .
מרגע שהמסלול סוכם החברה דאגה להכל כולל רכבי הסעה, איסוף מכל שדה תעופה מענה 24/7 ארוחות בוקר וצהרים כרטיסים לכל האטרקציות. אנשי הקשר בחברה נפלאים והאנגלית שלהם מעולה והמדריכים מקסימים .
ארץ יפיפיה מומלץ בחום רב…..Read more
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Jimnhet () Visited Nov 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
We’ve used TSA several times now for multi day taylor made tours in Vietnam and other parts of SE Asia. This time we spent 8 days exploring the North of vietnam and had a great time with a good guide and driver. TSA will make a tour to suit you and if you want you can book your own flights and accommodation or let them do it for you. Our trip was well organised and we’ve come away with fantastic memories. Thanks to our guide Tin and driver Thong and to Chloe for organising it all….Read more
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Sylvia263 (Canada) Visited May 2018 – From TripAdvisor said:
Our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia where a true success thanks to the help, support and professional advice of Ryan Mac from Travel Sense Asia. In Vietman we visited Hanoi, Sapa Valley, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An and finally Siem Reap and the Ankor Wat temple, surrounding areas and the floating village in Cambodia…Read more
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Thanks letter from Travel Sense Asia!
Dear Julie,
We want to say a BIG thank you for the fantastic trip you organized! We were very impressed.
The whole trip went very well. The guides were excellent, the tours amazing and Vietnam is an impressive country, we learned a lot.
We are very grateful! I will put a very good review on tripadvisor and I have also forwarded your name and travel agency to Kenya Airways, the airline company in Kenya for you to be recommended for future visitors from Kenya, I hope it will give you more business because you deserve it!
Thank you so much for all the time and efforts and I am very happy that Pete Power and Moire recommended you!
All the best and warm regards from Kenya,.
Nathalie and Frederik, Reindert and Zara
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Thanks letter from Travel Sense Asia!
Hi Julie & Rosie,
Thanks for the photos, they are great. I have forwarded them on to Julie.
We have been home for 2 weeks now and are really missing our holiday. We had a fantastic holiday and I thank you so much for all your efforts in ensuring we had an amazing time.
I have put a review on facebook, but the second link you sent wont let me put a review on. If u want to send another link I will try again.
Please know, that if you or Rosie would ever like to come to Melbourne, Australia you would always have a room at my house. I would love to show you around Melbourne.
Take care
Robyn x
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Will be sure to recommend
I first looked into the company through trip advisor. On sending an email to this company I was impressed with the prompt return of emails. I had my dealings with Hien ( Julie ). Hien is a credit to this company and went out of her way to full fill my needs .I was travelling with 10 other ladies and wanted them to experience all Vietnam had to offer. They couldn’t thank me enough but in fact if I did not find this company it may not went off as well as it did. The hotels that Hein booked were beautiful breakfast was plenty and staff were great. Tour guides we had in Sapa and Hanoi and Halong Bay exceptional. I also received a phone call everyday to make sure all was ok and if I needed to ask something Hien was only a phone call away. I will surely recommend this company.
bwisetraveller Newcastle, Australia 3/2014
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Wonderful arrangements and wonderful people…
Thank you Tavel Sense Asia to make our trip soo memorable…. hassle free… so flexible… and comfortable….. Hien (Julie) was so warm, ready to help at any point of the hour…. thank you Julie for all your help and making such wonderful arrangements…..
Priteshzeenal Guangzhou, China
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Best SE Asia Travel Company
Travel Sense Asia is an amazing company and I recommend them to anyone or any group travelling around SE Asia. We travelled through Vietnam and Cambodia for 3 weeks and had the time of our lives. They set up everything we wanted and allowed us to do our own thing when we wanted to. We dealt with Kevin, who always phoned our tour guides when we landed to make sure we had been picked up and that everything was going according to what we wanted. I felt that his service went above and beyond what I expected for a travel company. If you’re looking for a company to help you with your travels, Travel Sense is where you should look!! Thanks so much for a trip of a lifetime!
afunkychicken Zhenjiang, China 1/2014
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Ha Long Bay Cruise Calypso Cruiser
First of all, there are 600 boats operating in halong bay so there is one for everybody and budget.
There is no need to book weeks in advance you can get one a couple of days before if required.
Make sure you shop around for a decent price, then try and get your hotel to ring up and get you a better price.
The calypso cruiser is great quite luxurious, we paid $170 per person for 3 days 2 nights which by vietnam prices is an absolute fortune but it was worth the price when you see some of the other boats operating in the bay. This includes all food, plenty of it, but not drinks, and transfers to and from hanoi.
It is important to realise that all the boats operate a similar schedule, they have their own mooring points in the bay. If you go on the 2 night cruise you will be transferred to a smaller boat for day 2 and taken off to go kayaking and visiting a pearl farm, but you spend the night on the main large boat.
Tips
the drinks on the boat are 4 or 5 times what you pay from a shop on land, if you take any with you and they see it they will charge you a corkage fee. So be careful with your empties, take them off the boat with you in a bag.
If you forget to get some beer from a shp before you go, there are floating shops which consist of ladies in rowing boats that pull up alongside your cabin window, they have everything beer, wine snacks and it is half the price of the stuff on your boat.
A word of warning, there are so many boats in the bay, and all of them seem to dump their poo poo in to the water, so i would advise against swimming where the boats are all moored. I you look over the side you will frequently see “oily slicks” peppered with toilet paper. Until the government regulates it the problem will only get worse.
Also take the minimum you need with you from your hotel in hanoi, there is no need to take an entire suitcase, just fill a rucksack, as it will only cramp your cabin and be a hassle transporting it in a mini bus to and from the bay.
Tonytiger Manchester
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Awesome Experience!!
I found travel sense asia a great company to deal with I dealt with Julie who every step of the way made sure I knew what was going on and made sure I was being looked after,
Even once I started my your she would contact my tour guides to make sure I was ok and well this was really great as I knew everything was planned and under control!
I had the best experience of my life in Vietnam and would recommend Vietnam first as my place to see it’s amazing and the people are so friendly and a lot of people also speak English which helped me out at times,
I’m saving up for another trip now can’t wait to return!
Jeremy New Zealand
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Sincere Thanks to Melissa from TSA!
Hello Kien,
Yes we are back! We finally arrived back Sunday morning… our flight in Hong Kong was delayed AGAIN due to yet ANOTHER typhoon!
But we made it home safely, and I am finally now catching up with emails and work, back to reality….
I just wanted to thank you again for all of your help during out trip. Your services were crucial in helping make our trip a success. The fact that I planned this trip so late, and in only 2 weeks (thanks to you) is just a miracle, and we really couldn’t have done it without you. Everything was seamless, (except for the weather J)
I just finished a review on TripAdvisor – 5 stars! If you ever make it to San Francisco, please do not hesitate to contact me – I would be happy to return the favor. Enjoy the rest of your week, and let’s keep in touch!
Melissa
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Hi Julie
Hi Julie I’m safe and sound at home now in New Zealand but I’m sad my holiday is over as I had an awesome time and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it,
You were so friendly and helpful to me every minute of my trip which am so grateful for thank you so much Julie 🙂
I will be definitely recommending your travel company to my friends and I’m going to return to Vietnam one day for sure I love it there!
Many thanks again
Jeremy Cole
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Thanks letter from Travel Sense Asia to Barbara!
Dear Kien,
So nice to hear from you.
As you already know through phone conversations and emails my holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia was very good and I had great time there.
Great countries and very friendly people.
As to yourself, I can’t imagine better service from any travel agent then the one you have provided. You are very nice person wanting to do the best for the travellers. You went way out of the way any travel agent will do. Extremely happy that I found you on the internet.
My intention was to spread the word about you and the great service you provided by writing review on Trip advisor.
All my friends and family already know about you, and if anybody including myself will go to your country, YOU ALWAYS WILL BE NUMBER ONE to contact.
At the moment I am tied up with friends from Germany visiting Australia. Within next fortnight I will try to write reviews.
Also I should be able to do the feedback form and send it to you.
Best regards,
Barbara.
PS. Could you please say hello for me to Thu, thanks.
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Barbara Kacperek
Thanks letter from Travel Sense Asia & lovely pictures
Thank you for your email, we arrived home safely but have both been very busy with work. Once again thank you for help arranging our trip and helping us when Halong Bay was cancelled. We had a fantastic time and will visit Vietnam again soon hopefully. Thank you for sending the photo’s Xian took they are very nice. I have attached the photo we took on the train.
We will definitely contact you again should we return to Vietnam.
Thanks again
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Tracey & Ian
excellent service
We used Travel Sense to customize an 18-day trip to Vietnam. We worked closely with Mr. Kien to create an itinerary that would suit our family. Mr. Kien was extremely professional, made suggestions to the itinerary with regards places that we would enjoy and also adjustments based on local market dates (for Sapa) and celebrating New Years. Once we got to Vietnam everything was smooth, the drivers and local tour guides in all the locations were punctual, kind and generous with their time and knowledge. They were extremely wonderful to our 4-year old son and also took great care to ensure that we made all the transfers during our trip. My son still remembers all the names of all the guides even though it has been 6 months since our trip 🙂 When we were at one point disappointed with a particular hotel’s location, Mr. Kien was extremely responsive and changed our hotel in a matter of hours even though it was peak travel season, we were extremely grateful. Mr Kien himself was wonderful, he would always make sure to check in with us almost daily to make sure that we were satisfied with what he had arranged for us for the day. We have recommended and will continue to recommend Mr. Kien and his team to our friends that are traveling to the area. We hope that we have the good fortune to use them again for more travels in the region.
Visited December 2012
Source: Tripadvisor.com
jaffera36 Mumbai (Bombay), India December 2012
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Thanks Travel Sense Asia!
Hi Mr. Kien,
It is great to hear from you. Mr. Mckeen emailed me to tell me how much he is enjoying the trip that you organized for me. I did complete a review of TravelSense on Trip advisor today, it has been on my to do list, I am sorry for not haven taken care of it earlier.
My son still remembers you fondly and also the guides Ms. Cham and Ms. Hu who were both extremely kind to us. We are planning a trip to Cambodia and/or Laos in a couple of months. Once I have figured out the dates I can take off from work I will definitely contact you. We would love to work with you again.
Thank you once again for a wonderful holiday that has lasting memories for us as a family.
Warmest Regards,
Ashraf Dec 2012
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Lisa’s feedback
Hi Huyen,
I am so sorry that I didnt replied sooner, but the last few days were pretty busy.
Jula and I enjoyed our trip very much! The train was nice, and very on time. On our way to Sapa we were lucky and had the cabin just to ourselves. On the way back we shared the cabin with two nice americans (aunt and niece). Our tourguide May was very nice and informed us very well about the cultural differences of the minorities, as well as about the whole region of Sapa. I actually bought a very nice handmade handbag from her mother who is working in the Sapa market hall. I couldnt resist and also purchased a North Face Jacket for only 25 Dollars… I know it is a fake one, but still very good quality 🙂 I actually wore it on saturday, when it was very misty and cold and it kept me dry and warm, so its approved 🙂
The Hotel we stayed in was very nice as were the owners and the staff. They let us into our romms before the official check in time. We had a little change of plans on friday, due to a appointment of our driver, so we trekked to the CatCat village not in the morning but in the early afternoon. We actually appreciated this change of plans, so we had time to enjoy our breakfast and relax at the hotels terrace with this great view. On friday the weather was very good, and I even got sunburned. I am just not used to the sun anymore 😉
The hotel room was very good, with very good beds and even with heating blankets. And it was soooo quiet! Jula and I slept for about 10 hours that night. The restaurant we had lunch at, was very good. It is called “Lizard”, and the lunch consisted of 4 courses. For dinner Jula and I went into a local Bia Hoi (where no other tourists were) with very good food.
On saturday we trekked to three different villages, but as I told you, the weather changed and we were stuck in clouds. Even though the view was not as good as on friday, we had a very good time.
After we got back from that trekking, we were able to shower at the hotel, even though we already checked out. Very nice.
Over all we were very happy with that trip and especially with your support. Thank you so much for that! As soon as we come back, we will definitly turn to you in order to book some more Vietnam travel trips 🙂
Lisa and Jula
Lisa March 2012
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TSA in worldwide travel forum
What’s other poeple all over the world talking about Travel Sense Asia: Please click to the following link to know the detail:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293924-i8595-k4767888-15_Days_in_North_Vietnam_in_April-Hanoi.html
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?q=travel+sense+asia&sub-
https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/travel-sense-asia-vietnam-feedbacks-please.cfm
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293923-d2044615-r118144902-Indochina_Junk-Halong_Bay_Quang_Ninh_Province.html
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g298082-d1775787-r145942181-Le_Belhamy_Hoi_An_Resort_and_Spa-Hoi_An_Quang_Nam_Province.html
Travel Sense Asia 20 Day Tour
We have just returned from a 20 day tour of Vietnam organised by Ms Hien Ngo (Julie) from Travel Sense Asia. We had a really interesting, well organised trip and Julie made sure that we were looked after from arrival to departure, nothing was too much trouble and our enjoyment and safety was paramount. We had lunches included most days and went to good restaurants which served up some delicious Vietnamese food. The trips were very varied and our guides gave us all the information we required. Transportation around by car was faultless, drivers were very experienced which gave us confidence on such chaotic roads, and guides and drivers were always very punctual, polite and considerate. I highly recommend this company to anyone wanting to see Vietnam whilst feeling totally secure and able to sit back and enjoy the experience.
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Adventure trip
My family had an adventure trip to view the magnificent moutains and to experience the beautiful ethnic minorities in north Vietnam. Kien helped arrange and look after the trip carefully thus we enjoyed an incredible adventure. Our guide was wonderful too, he told us much about the history and the nature of this country and also did his best to let us feel comfort while we were travaling in the inconvenient area. Without his effort we couldn’t have this wonderful trip. Some of my friends are interested in this trip and hope to go with me on this September to view the golden yellow fields. Of course, I will ask Kien to arrange the trip for me again.
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Anna08 10 2/2013
Travel Sense Asia-Excellent experience
We did a 16 day tour of Vietnam in December 2012 and had a wonderful time. We worked with David aka Kien and were so well taken care of. Kien worked with us to plan each detail of our trip. Our guides were excellent and we learned so much from them about the country, the history, the people and more. Kien checked on us at each new stop as we worked our way from Hanoi to HCM City. I have already recommended them to friends who are planning to travel in this area. A big thanks to Kien, Tam and Miss Who! 🙂
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Leah Clancy V 15/2/2013
Halong Bay – Introduction
Above you will find the contacts of Julie (Hien Ngo) and her manager David (Kien Trung). they were great assisting us with our cruise in Halong Bay and our transportation to Ninh Binh and Hanoi. If you need they can also help you with other travel arrangement in other parts of Vietnam like Sapa or countries like Cambodia. Link: https://travelsense.asia/
We did the 3 days and 2 nights Indochina Cruise called Prince Junk. It is a relatively small boat with only 3/4 cabins and a very private feeling. We also have friends that have done the Dragon Pearl Cruise with more cabins but also very good. The room, food and staff are all very good. The water was very calm and protect so the boat barely moved at all. It is important to do the 2 nights cruise since with only one night you will not be able to cruise away from the crowds and will have a completely different experience.
We also went directly from Halong Bay to Ninh Binh and stayed one night in the city. We did the Tam Coc cruise early in the morning before the tour groups and its a very beautiful scenario. There are also Pagodas and old temples in the city. We did a lovely short bicycle ride (2km) from Tam Coc “harbor” to a near by Pagoda that you should do. In the way you will pass several rice fields and see locals working in the fields. Ninh Binh does not have good options of accommodation but you should sleep in the city. Emeralda Ninh Binh looks very nice but its seams more distant but could be a good option if you are planning more days to explore the region.
Halong Bay and Sapa are two regions famous to be very sensible to the weather. So research well and choose the best timing. In Halong Bay the only problem is fog that will make visibility lower but will still allow for a good cruise. In Sapa the impact can be higher since heavy rains can spoil your experience.
Be very insistent with Julie and David to get you a good and safe driver!! the roads in Vietnam can be very tough. No rush! Drive safely. Always possible prefer planes and trains besides driving. Next time we talk remind me to talk with you about crossing the streets walking in Hanoi or any city in Vietnam, it is an intense experience! Any doubts please let me know.
David is very knowledgeable about the region and besides helping you with the cruises he can clarify your doubts and give suggestions.
Follow also the very useful link for the visa on arrival service: https://www.vietnamvisapro.com/
I’m almost sure that Peru will also need this visa. This is basically a letter that you need to have to get your visa on arrival in Vietnam. This is NOT the visa. Its a pre visa step. Yuo pay for this service and in 2 days they will send you the letter. Be careful to use the right dates of arrival to have the correct letter. Once you arrive in Vietnam airport you will deliver the letter and pay for the visa fee that its different to the letter that you paid before. Bring USD cash. I think for Vietnam you dont need photos but research it online. We brought plenty of photos with us. Different countries different sizes of photos.
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HAVE FUN!
Julie/David,
first of all THANK YOU very much for all the help and support with our trip. I wanted to send you an e-mail before but could not find the time since we are still traveling. We were all very happy with our cruise. Halong Bay was amazing and I cant imagine a better way to explore than with an Indochina Cruise. Our transportation to Ninh Binh also worked well. You did a great job accommodating all the needs of the 7 demanding Brazilians. Please pass our thank you to all the Indochina Cruise team.
Above you will find the contacts of our great friends Claudia and Jose from Peru. They are like family so take care of them please. They are finalizing their plans for a two months trip to Southeast Asia starting in the middle of March. Its their first time in the region and they will be traveling with Mateo their one year old baby. They are excited to visit Vietnam and we mention to them about our experience in Halong Bay. Besides Halong Bay, Sapa and Ninh Binh they are also considering Hoi An as a destination. Please help them with their planning, logistics and doubts.
You should expect other of our friends as future customers in the future
Thank you again!
Best Regards,
Carlos Coutinho
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Jose/Claudia Blazil 13/1/2013
Vietnam and Cambodia Trip jan. 2013
During Dec 2012-Jan 2013 we, a group of five friends, spent three weeks traveling through Vietnam and Cambodia. After returning from the trip and having experienced the excellent organization of the trip, I strongly recommend using Travel Sense Asia to set up all the arrangements that you need in order to enjoy, and learn about, these two countries. I was in contact with Mr. Kien Trung (kien@travelsense.asia) who was very helpful, prompt and efficient in getting all the necessary arrangement (hotels, internal flights, transportation and guides) and in a reasonable price. During the three weeks we were in contact with Mr. Kien who made sure that we were O.K. and all our needs were met. To summarize, we had a great trip and much of its success was due to our decision to work through TSA.
David Betel
Visited January 2013
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David_edA 1/2013
Personal Tours in Vietnam
We were delighted by the planning and efficiency of Travel Sense Asia. David was our representative and handled all of our details–even when we changed them–quickly and with very good recommendations. David’s hospitality made us feel that he was taking care of family members. He was thoughtful in his recommendations, the tour guides–especially in Hanoi were very knowledgeable, excellent communicators and creative. With a last minute request to by some original art, I was brought to the Museum of Fine Arts and a lovely artist’s home to view pieces. The artist had recently sold to Hilary Clinton and Danny Devito (photos to evidence). David spent time with us on the first day in Hanoi to ensure that we had a sense of our surroundings and treated for coffee!! A wonderful experience. Travel Sense’s arrangements took us to Ha Long Bay and Hoi An as well as our time in Hanoi. Go to Vietnam soon!
monalyle Boston, Massachusetts 30/01/2013
Excellent Tour!
Our guide, Tam, took us to all the hot-spots and some “secret” places for pho and ca phe sua da. Kien took my family for our first ever sua da, and from that moment, I was hooked. I didn’t believe him when he told me it was strong, drinking it much faster than most Vietnamese people as I am used to the “Western-style” of drinking coffee.
Hanoi was an awesome city, I loved the feel and pace of it.
Would love to go back.
Visited December 2012
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aaronvonhagen Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 12/2012
Made our trip
We did a private specialised tour departing from our hotel in Vietnam – Da Nang visiting Hue for two nights, Hoi An for one night, and then flew to Luang Prabang in Laos for three nights. Kien organised the tour, flights, most delish meals and accommodation and it was pretty much faultless. The guide in Vietnam was great but sometimes was a tiny bit hard to understand but our guide in Laos had perfect English. The hotels were all fantastic – great location, good bathrooms and clean crisp sheets. Actually they were great considering the price we paid. The meals they organised were always seven course set menus at a different spot that you would never think to choose and it was a great way to try all the different local Viet food. (Usually I waste lots of time choosing venues to eat at and it’s sometimes stressful). They were very prompt with communication also. I would highly reccommend. We spent hardly any extra money while on this tour, was great! The sites we visited were all amazing. The cars we had were very nice, clean and comfortable and they always had bottled water on hand and cold wet wipes which I thought was a nice touch. We highly reccommend Travel Sense Asia – they took the stress out of our trip and really opened our eyes to everything.
Visited January 2013
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aussiemiss25yes Aussie 1/2013
We will definitely use Travel Sense Asia again on future trips
Dear Kien,
Just back from our vacation. We had a great time and everything was very well arranged. All our guides were very helpful and knowledgeable. We will definitely use Travel Sense Asia again on future trips and recommend you to friends.
Thank you!
Best regards,
Birte and Hans.
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Birte and Hans 11/2012
I have just returned from a 17 day trip to Vietnam with my two sisters
I have just returned from a 17 day trip to Vietnam with my two sisters. We visited Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An and Siagon. Our accommodation and tours were arranged by Travel Sense Asia. I cannot speak highly enough of the service provided by our consultant Kien Trung. The quality of our accommodation, transport and tours were exceptional as was the price. From the time I contacted Kien via email from Australia to the last day of our trip, Kien was in constant contact with us to make sure all was ok and we were happy with our services. The three of us have done quite a bit of travel over the years and have never received such a quality and professional service.
The first day we arrived in Hanoi (11.30 pm) we were met at the airport by a driver, whilst in transit Kien contacted the driver and requested to talk to me and make sure we arrived safely and all was ok with the driver. He did this again on other legs of the tour. Kien met us at the hotel in Hanoi, took us out for coffee and even gave us a present!
Our Halong Bay 2 night cruise on the Dragon Pearl 1 was recommended by Kien and what an amazing experience that was. The cost was extremely reasonable and the quality of the accommodation, food and service was fantastic. I would highly recommend this trip. The price was inclusive of all meals and of a high standard as was the service. The second night included a candle light dinner in a cave which was the most beautiful and amazing experience.
The hotels, Golden Rice (Hanoi), Le Behlamy (Hoi An) and The Rex (Siagon) were great and prices provided by Travel Sense were cheaper that I could get online or directly with the hotel.
I will be returning to Vietnam in 2013 and will most certainly be using Travel Sense Asia as will many friends that I have recommended them to.
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Jennifer Lepp
Sincere attentive service, highly recommended
My wife and I found TravelSense when we were looking for ways to visit Ha Long Bay. We found their prices to be excellent, and, far more important, the service we received was above and beyond! We ended up using them for advice and bookings throughout our self-guided trip from north to south. Throughout our trip Ms. Huyen Nguyen was unbelievably attentive. She drove around Hanoi to meet us and double-check that our tour guides or connections were taken care of properly. She phoned our hotels in Hue and other places, ahead of our arrival, to ensure that everything was taken care of. Throughout our trip she provided us with just the right amount of help — while leaving us to make our own decisions. She was budget-conscious too. We’ve already recommended TravelSense Asia to other travellers.
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Vancouver Canada October 2011
Ms.Jennie from Sydney Visited Vietnam in August 2012
Hi, my name is Jennie I travel with a friend of mine in Sydney and we decided to go on a Asia trip to Thailand and Vietnam so we looked into trip advisor for tours in Vietnam and we figured out Travel Sense Asia and they were very nice and very promt in our question and in our email and then once we decided we made payment and we got to Vietnam. They were really on time to come pick us up at the airport and arranged all the itineraries in tour that we arranged earlier so in this time when we visited, we went to Sapa and also in Hanoi just the city tour and also gone Halong Bay and the experience has been quiet memorable and the hotel that we’ve been selected joining our tour has been very well and very clean and very friendly staves and the receptions are very helpful. And also Travel Sense Asia has also arranged drivers that always on time and very friendly and helps us a lot with our luggage in so far
And the most memorable trip was probably for me would be Halong Bay it is what I expected in terms of Vietnam’s natural nature it was very peaceful, very nice and the tour itself was well organized. They has different activities in vow like kayaking and swimming and also there were 3 days 2 nights tour we had the special event when we get to have dinner at the cave and that was quiet spectacular and also the staves were so friendly and the food was fantastic so it was quiet enjoyable.
Well, I’ve already visited North but if I do visit Vietnam again I will join travel sense asia to arrange something at the South of Vietnam. That would be quiet interesting to see.
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jennie sydney 08/2012
Ms.Thulasi from Sydney Visited Vietnam in August 2012
I am Thulasi from Sydney and I was with my friend who works with me. We are planning to go to Thailand and Vietnam so we were looking for land tours in Trip advisor and there was a lot of good recommendation about the Travel Sense Asia (so) and we contacted to deal and the responses were like really good, they were very fast and like it gave us a lot of information so we decided to go with Travel Sense Asia.
We did the Sapa, Halong Bay and Hanoi and it was quiet good here.
I quiet like the Sapa and as well as the Halong Bay. It’s very different. Sapa was more countryside with the beautiful landscape and very different tribes and villages and lots of markets so that it was different and Halong Bay it was very scenic, very peaceful and we went on the cruise the with the Dragon’s Pearl too. The food was really nice, excellent and the highlight was the dinner in the cave and the tour was very nice very unique experience so both of them were really good here.
The hotel selected is in good standard. It’s clean and the staff was friendly. It was like a good choice of hotel.
What about Travel Sense Asia ’service?
The staff was friendly and they are on time and the guides were helpful and everyone is more polite give a lot of information. It meets the travel quiet easy and Vietnam is quiet hard if you are English speaking and a lot of local don’t speak English well so it’s easier to go on an organized tour.
Definitely, I really recommend the Travel Sense Asia the response is well and the guides are good and they are on time and from the time you land in they are post until you leave. They look after you so I highly really recommend Travel Sense Asia.
Definitely if we go to Vietnam again we will definitely go with Travel Sense Asia.
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Thulasi sydney 08/2012
Dominic Russell’s feedback
Ms Huyen,
Thanks very much for the mail. We had a great trip to Vietnam … the Halong Bay tour was amazing (very nice boat!) and the Hanoi City Tour very interesting as well. Finishing off relaxing on the beach in Hoi An was a great end to the vacation as well.
It was nice to get back home to the kids though!!!
Thanks for all the help with the arrangements and I will definitely make some comments on Trip Advisor.
Hope to see you again sometime
All the best and thanks again 🙂
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March 2012
Vietnam in Ten Days
One year ago my wife and I along with two other couples decided to take a break-away trip at the end of an Overseas Adventure Travels (OAT) trip to China and Tibet into Vietnam for 10 days so we husbands could revisit the country where we served in the military and for our wives to share this return experience. Travel Sense Asia was selected over another Hanoi travel agency due to its assurances of our being able to work cooperatively with them and to have final say on the itinerary.
It was a great experience with two overall minor exceptions. Our excellent local Saigon guide took a chance which worked out but was nevertheless stressful in that were it not for the skill of our driver we probably would have missed the flight to Danang in Central Vietnam owing to the guide thinking we had time for one last stop along the Mekcong Delta. Then in Hanoi we were not informed of how to avoid many corrupt taxi drivers who in almost a criminal manner enforce payment of grossly overcharged fares.
So now let’s turn back to the planning of this trip and the outcome. After 12 months of back and forth emails with Mr.Nhat Nam of Travel Sense we endorsed an itinerary of going to Saigon, HoiAn and Hanoi with guides in Saigon and Hanoi but none in HoiAn where we stayed at a beach hotel. When with a guide we had understood authority of being able to alter the day’s travels by stopping when we wanted to, change the pace of the day and even the direction of where we went. It could not have gone better with excellent hotels, a luxurious small ship overnight stay on Halong Bay, great sights, the best of food, two world class van drivers, terrific guides, photo opportunities, and none of this without Mr. Nhat Nam’s help, cooperation and honesty. It was a wonderful trip.
Edeward H
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We had an enjoyable trip in Ho Chi Minh
Hi David
We had an enjoyable trip in Ho Chi Minh. TSA had made it easier and fun for us. The following are our feedbacks:
1. Friendly – the guide and driver are friendly and nice; they are very accommodating.
2. Punctuality – the guide and driver are always early. They don’t make us wait.
3. Provide halal food – food at Shamsuddin restaurant was very good
4. Great places visited – Cu Chi tunnels gave us the experience of how Vietnam people suffered during the war and Mekong river cruise is so relaxing and serene.
We will definitely consider engaging TSA again for our future trips.
Thanks & regards,
mas Malaysia
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Thank you for your follow up
Dear David,
Thank you for your follow up.
We had the most amazing time in Vietnam. A highlight of our trip was definately Halong Bay and our cruise on the Dragon Pearl. It was above and beyond our expectations. The service the staff provided and the itinerary and food on the boat were amazing. We felt like we ate like kings and everyone on board were extremley flexible with our children, offering them different food if they required it. Our tour guide Tuan (Tom) was so great our children keep talking about him. I can’t speak highly enough of the experience we had it was awesome.
Thank you and your staff as well for making this trip possible and for coming to our hotel to collect the final payment, it made it so much easier for us.
Regards
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Petrina
Vietnam trip on May 2012
Halong Bay on the Dragon Pearl
Thanks to Travel Sense Asia our last 3 days and 2 nights in beautiful Vietnam were unfrogettable. Having had the Dragon Pearl reccomended by Travel sense Asia we had them book the cruise for our family of 5. They came to our hotel to finalise payment so we didn’t have to travel to their office. once on board the crew and our guide Tuan (Tom) were brilliant. They were happy to cater to our 3 children (ages 8,6 and 3) with chicken for dinner and lunch if they wanted, extra fruit for a snack and milk to drink when they wanted. It made the cruise so much more enjoyable knowing the children were thought of and cared about. we had such a lovely group on board too and they were happy to entertain our kids at times! I would highly reccomend this cruise to anyone doesn’t matter the age of the children or adults. I would however reccomend no less than 2 nights, its a long way from Hanoi to Halong City and makes the trip so much more relaxing knowing you don’t have to rush back to crazy Hanoi!!
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Petrina C Salamander Bay 26/05/2012
I join in the chorus of Thank You! for an incredible visit to Vietnam
Huyen,
I join in the chorus of Thank You! for an incredible visit to Vietnam. Your planning and attention to detail were outstanding and helped create wonderful memories for us. I’ve attached two pictures and will send you a link to Picasso when I have a manageable set posted there. Will post comments to Trip Advisor as well.
Best to you and Son,
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Carol Arnold Texas 21/4/2012
The Leading Tour Operator in Vietnam
” Travel Sense Asia is one of the lead Tour Operator in Vietnam…” – Heritage-Vietnam Airlines Inflight Magazine
Heritage-Vietnam Airlines Inflight Magazine
We had a great trip to Vietnam with Travel Sense Asia
Ms Huyen,
Thanks very much for the mail. We had a great trip to Vietnam … the Halong Bay tour was amazing (very nice boat!) and the Hanoi City Tour very interesting as well. Finishing off relaxing on the beach in Hoi An was a great end to the vacation as well.
It was nice to get back home to the kids though!!!
Thanks for all the help with the arrangements and I will definitely make some comments on Trip Advisor.
Hope to see you again sometime
All the best and thanks again 🙂
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Dominic Russell Uk 3/2012
Do not hesitate to book with them
What a service they provided me. I emailed back and forth for over 6 months sorting most of my Vietnam trip, from pick up at the airport, to hotel in Hanoi, to trip to Halong bay, to flights to Hue, to sleeper train to Hoi An. Every email was answered promptly and all of the recommendations were excellent (see my other reviews from this trip).
They were also, the cheapest company that replied to my emails.
I would recommend 100%
Ask for Yen Vuong, who was brilliant in all of her advice. She even came to meet me at my hotel and brought me and my fiancée a present to welcome us to Vietnam.
What fabulous service!
I normally don’t use agents, as I generally find them more expensive, but if you are off to Vietnam, do your self a favour and book with Travel Sense Asia
Visited July 2011
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jonathanbinney Brighton UK 7/2011
We had a great trip to Vietnam
Ms Huyen,
Thanks very much for the mail. We had a great trip to Vietnam … the Halong Bay tour was amazing (very nice boat!) and the Hanoi City Tour very interesting as well. Finishing off relaxing on the beach in Hoi An was a great end to the vacation as well.
It was nice to get back home to the kids though!!!
Thanks for all the help with the arrangements and I will definitely make some comments on Trip Advisor.
Hope to see you again sometime
All the best and thanks again 🙂
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Dominic Russell Uk 3/2012
Halong Bay with White Dolphin
Went on a 2D1N overnight cruise on Halong Bay on New Year’s Eve. Because it was peak period and we booked just a few weeks before, a lot of the popular boats such as Paloma were fully booked. Also, we preferred to go with a cruise that cruises the Bai Tu Long area which I read online was less crowded. There are only certain boats that depart from the other harbour (not Haiphong which most day tours do).
Found Travel Sense on tripadvisor and managed to chat with their sales person online at their website – a great service! David and Huyen were quick with their responses which I appreciated. Based on their recommendations, we chose to go with White Dolphin as the boat looks new and comfortable and with a limit of 22 pax, would be more private.
Huyen offered to come by the hostel we stayed to receive the remaining payment (paid a 30% deposit prior to secure the booking) which we appreciated so we did not have to travel to their office. She even brought a credit card machine but we decided to pay in cash. What I was impressed with was that she remembered to deduct the card fees from the total (as our quoted cost was all inclusive of card fee, taxes etc) amount! For a tourist, honesty is very important when selecting a tour agency and we’re glad that we met with one such as Travel Sense.
The rooms were beautiful, new and well-maintained. It came with bath amenities and even a mini fridge. Had a big sundeck area and would’ve have loved to try diving from the boat but it was too cold in Dec! Meals came in set menu and were of good quality. We had an average of 6-7 courses for lunch and dinner and each menu came balanced with seafood, meat, vegetables and fruits. Drinks (which were not included in the cost) were surprisingly not too expensive and we ended up ordering wine and cocktails (about USD 6 each).
However some points to note –
– Avoid lower deck rooms as the diesel fumes are strong at that level. It doesn’t help that I have a sensitive nose!
– The boat did not seem to travel far as we appeared to be parked in a bay area most of the time. I was expecting some introduction of the various islands/ rock formations but the guide did not provide any. We were left alone most of the time to enjoy the scenery. It would be good to have some posters or brochures with information about Halong Bay and its various attractions.
– The itinerary indicated visit to floating village and kayaking but we were told that the itinerary would change according to the captain’s route. In the end, we had to choose between kayaking to the floating village or to a lake beyond a cave. The group decided on the second option. Kayaking is a GREAT way to experience the bay!
– There was no sound system available on board so meal time can be awkwardly quiet. Luckily some of us took the initiative and managed to play music from portable speakers and ipods to add some ambience.
– There is a lot of waiting time in between boarding and disembarking and for the shuttle bus back to Hanoi so do be patient.
Overall, it was still a great relaxing experience and we were happy with the service provided. I would recommend an overnight cruise for Halong Bay for a relaxing time. After travelling 4 hrs from Hanoi city to the harbour, it would have been too tiring and such a rush to appreciate the scenery for a day tour.
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igoseeworld singapore
Agency to book Halong Bay trip Travel Sense Asia
Thank you tripadvisor for once again helping me to find the best company and best price to book a Halong Bay trip and other tours. After days and hours of getting information i found Travel Sense Asia here on Tripadvisor. They gave us wonderful prices, as well as what turned out to be dependable information. They quickly responded to us and we were able to check our reservations with the actual cruise company. Their agent met us at our hotel and were efficient and knowledgeable.
Nhat Nam (Mr.)
Sales Executive
–TravEL SENSE ASIA
Rescource :Tripadvisor Forum
san18 new york
Crossing over to 2012 in Hanoi – Day 1 (Old Quarter)
We met up with Huyen, a staff from Travel Sense Asia which we had bought the Halong Bay cruise tour (more info on my later post for Halong Bay) from online. I found the agency online through tripadvisor’s recommendations. She had kindly offered to meet us at our hostel to settle the remaining payment so we did not need to make the trip to her office. She briefed us again on the itinerary and answered our queries. She even brought the credit card machine. We decided to pay the remaining amount in cash. What impressed me was that she remembered to deduct the card fees from the remaining amount as our quoted price was nett and inclusive of card fees. Further more, she offered to remain contactable for any queries we may have about Hanoi, and not just about our tour. Such service is much appreciated!
Rescoure : igoseeworld
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jenny singapore 31/12/2011
I did the Hoa lu – Tam coc private tour.
Great driver, they picked me up in time as agreed and they also did stops for taking photos when I asked for. We used the whole day and came back in the late afternoon. There was no rush to shorten the trip. I appreciated that. The tourguide was nice and eager to explain a lot of things. The Mountains and the temple area was beautiful. I am not overwhelmed by the locations but I think that´s Vietnam related that Socialists do not bother to protect the beauty of their own country.
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snokie Frankfurt 22/11/2011
Great trip to Vietnam and Cambodia thanks to Travel Sense Asia
We recently completed a 15 day tour arranged by Travel Sense Asia that included Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap. It was a fabulous trip that featured excellent guides and drivers, first class accommodation, good food and very comfortable, modern vans. Overall the trip was very well organized with drivers waiting for us at the airports when we arrived, drivers and guides arriving on time every morning and all restaurant meals organized ahead of time so we were promptly seated and looked after in a very caring and professional manner. We highly recommend Travel Sense Asia if you are thinking of doing a small group tour of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Their services are excellent and the price is very good value for money. Thanks to Mr. Nam and Travel Sense Asia for a very memorable trip.
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DMacIntyre Victoria, Canada 08/11/2011
Every day was new and exciting
Four of us travelled on a tour organized by Travel Sense Asia. People ask us what was the most interesting thing we saw, and we are hard-pressed to answer because everything was wonderful. The drivers were prompt as were the guides, who were also very knowledgeable. We travelled to Hanoi, to Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and then into Cambodia at Siem Reap to see the ancient temples. The arranged hotels were excellent, as were the meals. All four of our group were very happy with the service and would highly recommend Travel Sense who anyone planning a trip to Viet Nam.
Tét.
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VicParsons Victoria, Canada 08/11/2011
Reliable and trustworthy
I used Travelsense’s help in arranging my transfers in Hanoi and Nha Trang. Everything was on time, cars were in good condition, all the problems were immediately solved. Really recommend them.
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