The Kane family
A wonderful experience with TNK travel (January 2009)

Our family of 4 just came back from first ever trip to Vietnam (18 days). We chose TNK Travel and it was a great trip. I wanted to thank TNK and to share our experience with future prospective travelers.

We started the planning almost a year ago. I must say we were hesitant at first and concerned about choosing a reliable travel agency. I read a lot on the internet (e.g. tripadvisor .com) before identifying a few prospective travel agencies. I then asked for an initial quote from my top 3 choices. TNK was the middle quote but what I liked about them was the level of detail in their initial proposal. I then looked at their guestbook and selected 17 people worldwide who recently travelled with them and emailed each of them to ask about their experience. Every single one of them responded and all were very positive about TNK. This made me comfortable with the idea of having to send money upfront to book a trip in an unknown country where I would have no recourse if dealing with an unethical company. With TNK, everyone assured me that once an itinerary is finalized, the company will do whatever is needed to deliver on its promises and to make it a pleasant experience, and they sure did in our case.

Over the following month, I exchanged several emails with Mr. Dsung Trinh, the Managing Director, to modify the original proposal based on my research about the sites we wanted to see. For example, we removed Sapa from the itinerary because the Northwest is quite cold in January, but added Phu Quoc Island instead. In the end, we agreed on a price for the revised itinerary, and I paid the customary 30% deposit by credit card (with a 3% fee). From that point-on, I dealt with Mr. Dac Dahn in their operations department who always promptly answered my numerous enquiries via email, and sent me hotel vouchers and e-tickets confirmation from air travel within Vietnam, as well as the invitation letter for the Visa. Fast forwarding to the end of the year when our trip began:

We landed roughly on schedule in Hochiminh on Dec. 31st in the evening and had to wait an hour or so (not ideal after a long flight from the U.S.) to get our visa on arrival ($25 per person in cash). Once we exited immigration and customs, our guide (J.J.) and driver were there to greet us with a sign bearing our name. They took us to our hotel. Because of the traffic, we ended up being in the center of the city near the cathedral at midnight, surrounded by thousands of motorcycles ringing their horns when the near year arrived (quite a cultural experience). From there on, the entire trip was very pleasant (I will post details on the hotels on tripadvisor.com). We visited Saigon (and stopped by the TNK office to pay the balance of the trip), the Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc, PanThiet/Mui Ne, Da Lat and Nha Trang by private van and boats with J.J. (who was excellent, paying attention all the time to what we liked and making sure we would always have it). We almost missed the speedboat from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc, because the itinerary was 30 minutes off. As a result, we couldn’t have a scheduled lunch, but TNK compensated us with an excellent previously unplanned dinner in Hue. J.J. ordered a van with more legroom when we returned from Phu Quoc to HCMC (we flew back), arranged for a small canoe to pick-us up and take us to our hotel in Cantho where we were stuck in traffic on the way to the ferry, etc…Then we flew to Danang and were greeted by our new guide Tui (Mr. Dac Dahn had kindly arranged for French speaking guides at the other locations at our request), and from there visited Hoi An, My Son and Hue, Tui was excellent as well, very knowledgeable and helped us solve an issue we had with a tailor-made suit. In Hoi An, the reservation was not a river view room, but after contacting Mr. Dac Dahn generously agreed to pay the difference and we were upgraded accordingly (we had insisted on 2 deluxe rooms with sea/river/lake views everywhere) and I had not noticed it was not the case at that location. We then flew to Hanoi which we visited with our last guide (Mr. Lan, who was OK but not as good as the first 2), and went from there to Halong Bay for a memorable 2-day cruise, then flew back to HCMC, stayed overnight near the airport and had an early morning flight back to the U.S. On returning to HCMC, no driver was there to greet us, we were told after we called the agency that he was stuck in traffic due to an accident. We took a taxi to the nearby hotel, and the driver who picked-us up in the morning for our return flight to the US. reimbursed us more than we had actually paid for the taxi. We didn’t have to pay a departure tax, it was apparently already included in our plane tickets.

Overall, a great trip thanks to the logistics, efficiency and professionalism of the TNK staff and agents. Food was excellent (though too copious for us, we always have festive lunch menus booked by TNK with 6 or 7 courses in nice restaurants (included in the price), nice buffet breakfasts in most hotels. The only problem (which is beyond TNK’s control) was insufficient hot water in many hotels for two people to take showers one after the other), a really bad road with big holes when exiting MuiNe to go to Da Lat and a third guide in the north who took us to a number of expensive stores along the road when we saw much cheaper prices elsewhere (we suspect he had a kick-back from these stores (but to his credit, he advised us to see the anthropology museum in Hanoi instead of a couple of extra pagodas, which we really enjoyed). Other than these minor opportunities for improvement, we had great hotel rooms with very nice views (important to us), good weather, good food, good guides and drivers (who seemed satisfied with the tips we gave them), and we were taken to all the places agreed-to on the itinerary. For those who do not feel adventurous enough to be on their own in Vietnam, we do strongly recommend TNK travel as an ideal, reasonably-priced solution. You can count on them for a memorable and pleasant trip. One final comment, although you can pay everything in Vietnam in US dollars or Euros, prices are cheaper if you pay in Dongs (local currency, FX at 17.3 VND/USD on the average during our trip, calculated at 15 by the stores if you pay in USD). Also a word of caution, Vietnam Airlines only allows 20 kg for a checked suitcase and 7 kg for a carry-on so travel light……

If you are thinking of going and have any question about our experience, don’t hesitate to contact me at dkane@mmm.com.

Our sincere thanks to MM. Trinh, Danh and the entire TNK staff for a wonderful trip. The Kane family (Austin, TX, USA)

Shaun McCree
Cambodia Exclusive 5-day tour

Dear Nhu Y,

After our initial misunderstanding over payment (my fault entirely), I would like you to know that the tour went excellently. A friendly & helpful guide in Phnom Penh made our day both pleasant & informative, even if we were rather devastated by the Killing Fields & S21. Although they are hard to take, we think everyone should see them to understand what happened in Kampuchea. Our guide in Siem Reap, Marouan, & his driver were if anything even better and our trips around the Angkor complex were absolutely unforgettable. The Hotel Salina in Siem Reap was good value for money, despite being the cheapest available but we were a little disappointed with the Princess in Phnom Penh where we found the food rather poor & the staff rather disinterested. We recognise this is also the cheapest option but clearly does not match up to the budget hotels we stayed in throughout our 4 weeks in Vietnam. Our only small problem was that the advertisement on your website suggests lunch is provided everyday although, on checking your acknowledgement, it was not listed. Perhaps someone could correct the website.

Mrs.Yukiko Sjogren
Vietnam & Cambodia customized tour ( Nov 27th 06 )

Just a quick note to say a BIG BIG thank you!!!

We had a FANTASTIC time in Vietnam, definetely will be back. I have recommended you to some of my cieints and friends so please do not be surprised if you hear from some people from Paris or UK.

Our guides were excellent, we loved Quang who took us to the Cu Chi tunnels, Trang in Hanoi and Visal in Siem Reap - then a lovely girl who picked us up in Danang airport!!!! Please tell them all a special thanks!! The trips were nice too and the service overall, great!!!!

We will def use TNK the next time in Vietnam - wish you continued success!!

Regards, Yuki & Erik

Yukiko Kubota-Sjogren
Morgan Stanley Japan Equity Sales
25 Cabot Square | Lo

John Chiles
Vietnam & Cambodian Tour II

Dear Mr. Dzung

We would like to express our appreciation for TNK's efforts to make our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia so enjoyable. Of our many trips since 2002, this one has been the best. Some of that is due to the attraction of the two countries. But a bigger reason is the treatment we received from your company.

All of our hotels were comfortable, and even somewhat luxurious for a couple that usually stays in bed and breakfast type accommodations. Very good meals in excellent dining establishments.

Our guides deserve most of the credit for the success of our trips. They looked after us from pick up to departure. They ensured that we visited sites at the right time to avoid most of the crowds and avoid the hottest time of the day. They varied the itinerary periodically, with our consent, to ensure that we saw the most desirable attractions, They were well informed about the history and stories of the attractions. They moved us along to cover the itinerary without us feeling that we were being rushed. We always felt that we had any time we wanted to wander through the sites according to our interest.

Although the guides were probably the strongest feature of a very well organized and professionally run tour, their one weakness was their English pronounciation. It was difficult at times to understand the message because some words were pronounced differently from what we are used to hearing. On the whole, however, that was a minimal limitation.

A special thank you for providing us with the document permitting us multiple visits to Vietnam. We had arranged for our visas to Vietnam, although you had offered to do so. However, enroute home, when we and presented our passports with single entry visas to the ticket agent at the Siem Reap airport in Cambodia, we were advised that we needed multiple visit visas in order to obtain a boarding pass for our flight to Hochiminh City, Even though we had advised you that we would be obtaining our visas on our own, your thoughtfulness and thoroughness in providing the multiple visit authorization saved us a lot of grief. This incident brought home to us more than anything else, TNK's level of professionalism and concern for its customers.
There are many other things that we could add to illustrate how well we were looked after by your company. When we first 'discovered' TNK while researching on the internet, our first thought was that this unknown tour company was probably a low budget, high risk venture. You get what you pay for, right? Well, in this case you get more than you would normally pay for - much more. We had been reassured somewhat by a prior TNK traveller who had posted a testimonial on the TNK site, as well as by the timeliness and quality of feedback we received from our e-mail enquires to TNK. However, we still remained slightly skeptical prior to arriving in Hanoi. Within hours of arriving, however, we were reassured that we were in good hands and that we were going to have a marvellous experience. The tour surpassed our expectations.

We wish TNK much success for the future. We expect that your company will eventually displace North American tour companies as the leading choce for tours to Indochina.

Sincerely,

Virjon
Ontario, Canada

Kerry Mowett
Viet nam - Southern package tour

Dear Luu Vo

Thankyou for your organisation of our groups visit to Ho Chi Min city.

Everything was organised and went smoothly. The meals were amazing and of a very high standard.

Thankyou for the wonderful tour guides Binh and Lyang who were helpful and informative.

Your drivers and bus assistants were pleasant and patient with our group.

I am now planning another group tour in July 2011 for a group of 40 (39 pax plus Tour Leader).

The tour group will arrive in HCM City on Saturday 2 July and return to Australia on Sunday 10 July 2011

I have looked on your website and like the ideas in Vietnam Highlights tour commencing in Ho Chi Min City and ending in Hanoi.

Accommodation in standard 2 star hotels will be acceptable.

Could you please prepare a suggested tour outline and cost for my consideration.

Thankyou

Kerry Mowett

Sascha
trip to Vietnam with TNK

Me and my wife were looking for accomodation and some trips around Ho Chi Min, Mui Ne and Me Kon River.

We are currently in China and it was quite dificult to arrange everything from Shanghai. So I searched the web and found TNK. Those guys replied inmediately with detailed plan for Vietnam round trip and very good prices.

You always have doubts when you contact people you don't know. You never know if they are going to give you what they promise or not. But with TNK it went all good from the begining. They answerd all my emails with questions about the country and the trip. And once we arrived there they delivered an outstanding service. We got everything we asked for.

We were picked up, and were driven everywhere in a personal car with A/C which was very pleaseing in a hot place like Vietnam.

I will hardly recomend TNK to travel around Vietnam. You will be in good hands! It certainly takes all troubles involving the trip away.

Anna Luedicke
Hello

Hello, I just wanted to say thank you very much for all that you did for us in our recent trip to Vietnam. We just had such a wonderful holiday, helped by expert administration by you. Everything went according to plan and was so slick. With 2 young children, it took all the worries away and let us enjoy ourselves. The quality of the cars and guides was very good and we wanted for nothing. We selected your company because of your competitive prices and now that we have seen that you have quality service to match, we will recommend you to our friends.

Many thanks,

Anna Luedicke

Gordon and Elaine Ashton
Our Holiday

Ms Hang Vo !

We have just returned home after a month away and one of the first things I wanted to do was thank you for the wonderful 8 days you had organised for us.

Everything was better than expected and we will be telling our friends and family to be in touch with you whenever they go to vietnam.

We will be touch for our return visit next year

Thank you again

Gordon and Elaine Ashton

Andrea Mallett
Thank You

Dear tnk,

Your company organised a wonderful trip for ourselves and our friends (Mallett & Crisp families) over christmas and new year 2006/2007. We have some photos and things we would like to pass on to the wonderful guides that showed us around your beautiful country. If we send them to you are you able to pass them on for us? If possible do you have an address for Dat who did such a wonderful job of showing us around Saigon and Mekong Delta.

Thank You again for a wonderful trip we have been recomending your company to all of our friends.

Andrea Mallett

marianne Kant-Schaps
Mekong Delta tour 2 days/1night Aug 9th -10th 2011

Dear Luu Vo!

At the end of our Vietnam travel I would like to thank you very much for the organisation of our Mekong Delta tour, which was really a great pleasure for our family. It was also a pleasure to meet your local guide and to see so many interesting spots of your beautiful country.

Best regards, Marianne Kant